A crawl space is a vacant unfinished, low ceilinged room in a structure, usually between the second floor and the bottom floor, often below a concrete slab. The term ‘crawl space’ is also used when talking about outdoor workshops. The reason for this is that a crawl space has no floor, wall or ceiling and is therefore very open and dark, sometimes even with no doors. The term ‘crawl space’ is also used when discussing basement construction, as these types of basements are almost always one level below grade with no visible walls or ceiling. The term ‘crawl space’ is also used when talking about outdoor workshops, as usually there is only enough room to crawl around on all four feet without bumping into walls.
It is recommended that a crawl space should have enough ventilation and fresh air circulating throughout it in order to keep it safe for inhabitants and animals. Mold and mildew tend to thrive in areas of poor air circulation and can spread very quickly. In addition, without proper lighting, even with a ceiling light, the area can become dark and dangerous, even for a trained professional. This is especially true in poorly ventilated spaces, such as those found in houses, garages, storage facilities and workshops.
Once you have sealed the space properly and cleaned it properly with soap and water, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is a device which cool air using the principles of physics, and is a good solution for damp spaces caused by condensation. A dehumidifier works by extracting moisture from the air and expelling it through exhaust pipes or ductwork. Some of the common dehumidifier models include the Portable and Smart House Dehumidifiers. A proper dehumidifier is necessary for a crawl space because mold and mildew will grow in areas where there are no air circulation and a lot of moisture is present.
If your crawl space does not have a dehumidifier or if you already have a dehumidifier but need it to function more effectively or to remove moisture completely, you can purchase a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier acts like an extra layer of insulation between your walls and your living areas, preventing moisture and heat from penetrating your wall cavities. Wall cavities can collect a lot of humidity, especially around doors and windows, so a vapor barrier is imperative for homes in these types of spaces. If you are concerned about mold and mildew growing in damp areas, you should install a vapor barrier.
One more reason why do homes have a crawl space? Usually, homes that have a basement have a connected external drainage system, and when it rains, the water goes into the basement. When you have a crawl space in your home, you are opening up that area to outside air and moisture, and this means that there is a higher risk for mold and mildew to grow in your crawl space, even when there is no other structural issue with your home.
It is important to note that a moisture sensor can be used to detect any areas of concern, whether it is mold growing in your crawl space or if there is excess moisture in your attic. Once you have detected an issue, a crawl space vapor barrier system can help prevent the problem from getting worse. Moisture sensors can be placed throughout your house, as well as around outlets, plumbing fixtures, windows, and above your drywall.
