How Can I Protect My Crawl Space?

Protecting your crawl space from dampness, damage, and infestation can be an uphill struggle. However, there are a few steps you can take that will make a big difference. Some of these are simply a matter of time, while others require financial investment too. 

Maintenance and Cleaning 

The quickest, easiest, and least costly thing you can do to protect your crawl space is to set and stick to rigorous inspection, cleaning, and maintenance schedules. Keep your property’s drains and gutters free from debris and sediment buildup, for example, and make a point of having your crawl space professionally checked annually. This will allow you to catch any problems early, thereby reducing overall repair costs. 

Likewise, be aware of how storms and seasonal changes may affect your property and crawl space. Shovel snow away from your property perimeter, for example, or lay out sandbags to protect crawl space vents when you hear of a big storm rolling in. These are not foolproof measures, but they will help you to prevent avoidable issues from snowballing. 

Drainage Upgrades and Encapsulation 

If you want to absolutely ensure that your crawl space is protected from the elements, however, you should be looking at how you can upgrade or install waterproofing measures. Investing in perimeter drains and extended downspouts, for example, will seriously reduce the amount of water pooling around your property. This will reduce the pressure on your foundation and foundation walls. 

This will only do so much; you must also protect your home from the inside. Crawl space encapsulation will protect your home by creating a safe, dry, and hygienic area. This requires some investment but will provide you with many benefits as a result. Fully encapsulated crawl spaces actually contribute to lower energy bills and a more stable environment within a property.