Want to maintain a healthy home from the ground up?
It’s easy for homeowners to focus on visible things. Dirt free counters. Floors free of stains. Walls freshly painted white. But beneath every house is one often forgotten space that affects the air quality and safety of everything above.
We’re talking about your crawl space.
Dark. Narrow. Dirt. Every homeowner should be concerned about the condition of their crawl space. But since few ever see it firsthand, it can be easy to forget about it exists.
Until it causes big problems.
That’s because your crawl space acts like a sponge for everything dirty.
If it’s moist and full of mold, your entire home will be too. But the good news is that with proper crawl space maintenance, any homeowner can keep it clean and controlled.
Let’s dive in.
What You’ll Learn
- Why cleaning your crawl space is important
- Signs your crawl space is dirty
- Health concerns with crawl spaces
- Maintenance Tips
- When to hire a Professional
Cleaning Your Crawl Space is Important
Did you know…
Between 40%-50% of the air inside your home originates from your crawl space. This means contaminants like mold, moisture, insects and debris could be finding their way into your living areas.
Known as the “stack effect”, as air warmed inside your home rises and escapes out doors, it pulls fresh air from the crawl space to take it’s place. The bad news? If there are issues down there, you can bet they’ll work their way into your life.
It’s a sad truth, but a dirty crawl space means a dirty home.
Take mold, for example. Not only does it spread around the crawl space, but it can make its way into the air that you breathe too. That’s why smart homeowners get your crawl space cleaned before small problems become costly repairs. Regular crawl space cleaning helps prevent the debris, moisture and contaminants that lead to serious damage.
Your Crawl Space is Dirty
Still not convinced your crawl space needs cleaning? Take note if any of these apply to you:
- Musty odors that linger, no matter how much Febreeze you use
- Floors buckle or warp in certain areas of the home
- Family members experience worsened allergies when at home
- Energy bills go up for no apparent reason
- Visible mold or mildew on wood below
If any of these problems sound familiar, chances are your crawl space is due for a cleaning. The longer you wait, the more damage that could occur.
Health Concerns with Your Crawlspace
This next part is important.
The EPA says the average person spends about 90% of their time indoors. And because we’re closing ourselves off from the outdoors, indoor air pollutant levels can be 2 to 5 times higher than what’s considered acceptable outdoors.
Now remember this.
If you have a dirty crawl space, you are adding even more contaminants to the air inside your home. And while you might not be able to see those invisible mold spores, droppings or moisture, they’re there. And they can cause some serious health concerns for you and your family.
Health risks include:
- Respiratory issues & aggravated asthma
- Allergies caused by mold and dust
- Sinus problems, headaches and fatigue
- Long-term consequences from pollutant exposure
Children, elderly relatives and anyone with chronic health issues are at the greatest risk. That’s why keeping your crawl space clean isn’t just beneficial for your home, it could actually help keep your family healthier too.
Tips for Cleaning Your Crawl Space
Want to DIY your own crawl space cleaning? Follow this advice first:
Control Moisture Levels
It all starts with moisture. If you don’t control moisture in the crawl space, you’re fighting a battle you can never win.
Mold will grow. Wood will rot. Insects will appear. Everything you work to do starts to become damaged.
So how do you prevent moisture in the crawl space? Simple. Start with these tips.
- Install a vapor barrier along the ground to prevent moisture from rising into the crawl space.
- Repair any leaks or dripping pipes immediately.
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts are directing water away from your home.
- Consider using a dehumidifier in humid climates.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to keep the humidity in your crawl space between 45-55%. Any higher could cause problems.
Keep it Clean
Don’t let dirt, dust, and debris collect in your crawl space. Old insulation, leaves and even trash or forgotten items provide the perfect places for insects to nest. In addition to attracting pests, excess debris retains moisture.
So keep it picked up. If it doesn’t belong in the crawl space, get rid of it.
Inspect your Space
Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look.
Try to inspect your crawl space at least twice a year. Make note of any standing water that has accumulated. Are there any bugs or rodents hanging out? Do you see signs of mold? Has any of the wood started to rot or appear damaged? These are all things to look for during your crawl space inspection. Taking care of small issues now can save you money in repairs later.
Seal Opening Points
There’s one big reason rodents and bugs love the crawl space.
It’s already protected from the outdoors, provides access to moisture and gives them a place to build a home. So how do you prevent tiny tenants?
Look around the outside of your crawl space for openings rodents or insects can get inside. Check where pipes and wires enter the home too. Fill these spaces with caulk, wood putty or expandable spray insulation.
Ventilate Crawlspace
Should you ventilate your crawl space or not?
This answer depends on where you live and if your crawl space is vented or not. Dry climates with vented crawl spaces benefit from being able to open vents. This allows air to flow through and dry out the space.
On the other hand, if you don’t have vents or live in a more humid climate, you’ll want to think about encapsulating your crawl space. Encapsulation involves covering your vents to keep moisture from getting in.
If you’re unsure which route to take, consult a professional.
Hire a Professional
Yes, sometimes you just need to hire help.
Here are four times you should strongly consider calling a professional:
- There’s standing water in the crawl space.
- You can see mold growth visible with the naked eye.
- You notice damaged or rotten wood beams or flooring joists.
- You notice signs of pests or insects have taken up residence.
- You cannot remember the last time your crawl space was inspected.
Trust a professional crawl space cleaning company to have the tools and expertise necessary to get your crawl space back under control. And since they’ve likely seen it all, they can point out things you may have missed during your DIY inspection.
Cleaning Your Crawl Space: Recap
If there’s one space in your home that’s often forgotten, it’s the crawl space. But as we’ve mentioned before, it has huge impacts on the air you breathe, the safety of your family, and overall cost to maintain your home.
Remember…
- Cleaning your crawl space can save you money on costly repairs
- Keeping your crawl space dry and ventilated prevents mold and rot
- Having your crawl space professionally inspected annually can help you catch minor issues before they become big problems
- Cleaning your crawl space means cleaner air in your home.
So what are you waiting for? Take action today and start maintaining a clean crawl space. Your home (and family) will thank you in the long run.
A healthy home starts from the ground up.
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