A home’s crawl space is the hollow area underneath its floors between the ground itself and the first floor and it is normally between one and three feet high. This keeps your home elevated just above ground level and it provides the ideal space for storing insulation, ducting, electrical wiring and plumbing piping.
Advantages of Crawl Spaces
In most cases, a crawl space is a better option than a concrete slab foundation because it provides easy access to all of the above-mentioned features. This means that if an emergency such as a burst pipe or even mold infestation occurs, it will be relatively easy to access the affected area(s). If no crawl space was present, present, problems such as leaking or burst pipes would require excavation before they could be accessed.
Although it’s possible for a basement to provide easy access to air and heating systems, piping, and other essential items, building a crawl space is far cheaper than constructing a full or even unfinished basement. It can cost approximately $8,000 to $20,000 to build a crawl space, whereas constructing a basement can cost more than $150,000 in some cases.
If you live in an area that’s known for being damp, has a lot of rain, mold or termite infestations, a crawl space is usually a better option than any type of basement.
Will a Crawl Space be Right for your Home?
If you’re fortunate enough to be able to have a home built from scratch and you’re wondering whether a crawl space will be more beneficial than a basement or not, the main factor to consider is the climate that the property is being built in. In cases where you’re unsure of what the best option will be for your home, it’s recommended that you consult with a qualified engineer.
Although a home’s crawl space is an area that is seldom given much thought, it’s a good idea to ensure that it’s inspected at least once a year to ensure that debris doesn’t accumulate or that animals don’t decide to make themselves comfortable in it.
