February 4, 2018

Many homes have crawl spaces. However, few ever realize the potential of these spaces.  Many of these spaces go unused except by pests and other critters.

Your crawl space doesn't have to be the same. You can make good use of the space no matter how large or small it is. You only need to ensure that what you store won't be affected by humidity, mold, insects and other conditions common in open crawl spaces. The best way to do this is by investing in crawlspace waterproofing.

  1. Install a crawl space floor
The first step to converting your crawl space into a storage space is installing a floor. The floor is important for keeping moisture from the ground out of the crawl space. It will also create a surface on which you can store items safely.

There are various options for floors in crawl spaces. One of the most popular is concrete. It is also one of the easiest solutions to install in an existing crawl space. Many people also opt for a gravel floor. This is a low-cost solution.

Before installing the floor, it is important to lay down a vapor barrier. This is a polyethylene sheet that will keep soil gases and moisture from entering the crawl space through the soil. The floor is installed on top of this sheet.

  1. Interior drain tile
This is a step that is often forgotten especially by homeowners who attempt to waterproof their crawl spaces on their own. Installing a drain tile will help to keep water out of the crawl space. It will also help to keep the crawl space dry by guiding any ground water or surface runoff away from the crawl space and into a well where it is pumped out into the main drain.
  1. Encapsulating the crawlspace
Once the floor is ready, you can encapsulate the crawl space. This involves sealing the crawl space from the outside environment. A plastic sheet is installed all around the crawl space to enclose it. This keeps out moisture, air, and pests.

It is important to seek the assistance of a professional crawlspace waterproofing contractor to encapsulate your crawl space. This will help to ensure that you get the best results for the long term. It will also ensure that the items you store in your crawl space will remain in good condition.

Your crawl space holds a lot of potential. You simply need to invest in crawlspace waterproofing to see it.