Repairing a crawl space is not always simple, but it is crucial in every situation. Bad crawl space repairs are common in our industry because there is no real standard when it comes to the process of repairing crawl spaces. This is due to the fact that there are a great number of potential problems that you might encounter once you begin inspecting your crawl space. If you are thinking about making repairs to your crawl space, you should make sure you are aware that if you do the repairs in the wrong order or if you do them incorrectly, you could make the situation even worse.

What are some of the most effective strategies for insulating a crawl space that has a dirt floor?

The crawl space in your home should have a polyethylene vapor retarder laid down on top of the dirt floor. This is the most effective way to prevent moisture from entering the space. Sealing up all of the seams thoroughly will provide you with the peace of mind that it is safe.

What exactly does it mean to have a crawl space that has been conditioned?

Vapor barriers are typically installed inside of a conditioned crawl space to ensure that the space's interior is kept dry. When you are conditioning your crawl space, you will use black plastic to seal the entire crawl space floor, walls, and joists. This will prevent any moisture from entering the space. In this scenario, you will not be covering up your vents, and as a result, installing a dehumidifier in the crawl space will not be necessary.

How frequently should you inspect the crawl space underneath your home?

In the event that you discover any water in your crawl space, it is in your best interest to have it inspected as soon as possible. It is  recommendation that crawl spaces be inspected by a professional once every year in addition to the homeowner inspecting the area once every six months. However, sump pumps located in the crawl space require inspections on an even more regular basis.

How exactly does one go about sterilizing a basement crawl space?

You will need to vacuum clean this area to get rid of any remaining dirt that is there. It is not recommended to use water because doing so will only make the moisture problem worse. Crawl space cleaners who do their work professionally use specialized vacuum cleaners that capture all of the dust particles while minimizing the amount of dust that is stirred up. This helps to prevent the spread of cross-contamination.

How do I ensure that my crawl space remains in good condition?

There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your crawl space remains clean and dry. Keep moisture out. In order to achieve your goal of having a safe and clean crawl space, one of the first steps is to control the amount of moisture that is present in the space. After that, inspect and clean the interior of your crawl space. The crawl space should be sealed off from rodents, ventilated, and insulated to prevent drafts.