Firstly, let's look at what a crawl space is: a space that is created when a house is built up off of the ground, instead of on a concrete foundation, that is often times used to house any air conditioning/heating units, plumbing, or other systems that work for the functionality of your home.
Some reasons for houses being built up off of the ground instead of on a concrete slab include:
- Lowering Cost: The work required to prepare the lot for a concrete slab foundation is expensive.
- Aesthetics: By installing the air conditioning/heating unit, plumbing, and other distributions below the house, you keep them out of view and obstruction of the landscaping of your home.
There are some drawbacks to having a crawl space under your home, however. They can be difficult to maintain and, if left alone for a long period of time, can lead to issues like mold growth and structural decline.
The silver lining to owning a home with a crawl space is that, if taken care of properly, it can open up even more possibilities of use while decreasing the work needed to maintain it. One of the most simple methods is to locate your local crawl space repair experts to learn more about what repairs or further care your crawl space may need.
For example, encapsulating your crawl space consists of completely lining the inside of your crawl space with a thick plastic vapor barrier that keeps water, debris, pests, and other translations from the outside from entering in. This creates a waterproof environment that not only keeps the foundation of your home safe and intact, but can do the same for storing items much like you would store in an attic.
Want to learn more about any possible issues your crawl space may currently have and the potential it can provide your family? Call Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems today at (865) 299-2315 for a FREE assessment of your crawl space. We will walk you through a no-hassle evaluation and discuss the different options you can take to improve the health of your crawl space, and ultimately, of your family home.
