Dark, dirty, and shrouded in mystery, crawlspaces are often put to the side as potential renovation areas in your home. But as long as you plan correctly and are willing to get a bit dirty in the process, crawlspaces are actually an ideal renovation project. They are an ideal way to add lots of secure, out of the way storage space, no doubt, but converting your crawlspace to storage can also can boost your home's energy efficiency and safeguard your home against unhealthy and structurally damaging mold and mildew.
Assessing Your Crawlspace for Moisture
Every crawlspace is different, but what they all have in common is that the biggest obstacle to renovating them into effective storage solutions is the likely presence of damp, which can lead to mold, mildew, and rot. The first step in any crawlspace renovation, then, is to assess for moisture, and the only way to do that is a thorough visual inspection. Check for evidence of mold on the walls, joists, ductwork, and insulation. Mold is also an indicator of insects, so be on the lookout for termites and rodents which could effect your home's structure and security. If you find any evidence of mold or insects, you'll need to treat your crawlspace for these issues before tackling your crawlspace storage conversion
Consider Insulating Your Crawlspace
Once mold and pests are taken care of, you'll want to consider adding insulation to your crawlspace. It's not completely necessary, but highly recommended as its purpose is to regulate the temperature of your crawlspace, thus potentially reducing the possibility of moisture taking hold there. As an added bonus, if any pipes run through your crawlspace, adding insulation will keep them from freezing during the winter. Make sure you use rigid foam insulation boards as this is best at resisting water damage and install it against the foundation walls (not the ceiling). Mat insulation is also recommended on the soil floor as an added moisture barrier, especially in the Pacific Northwest where winters are exceptionally wet.
Installing Vapor Barriers
After insulation is installed, you will need to add a vapor barrier to the crawlspace floor and foundation walls to eliminate moisture and humidity from entering your crawlspace from the dirt floor. This should go on top of any insulation you installed earlier. Take your time doing this. Vapor barriers are nothing more than plastic sheets, but they must overlap precisely and have carefully sealed seams and edges so that there's no room for moisture to seep up later, potentially damaging anything in your new storage space.
More effectively, you can skip the vapor barriers in place of pouring concrete, but this should be left to professional contractors only, as doing so in such tight spaces is a cumbersome task to undertake.
Ventilation and Dehumidifiers
In some areas, having crawlspace ventilation is a matter of building codes. In others, it's a personal preference where the pros of allowing built-up humidity out are weighed against the cons of adding a gateway into the crawlspace for moisture to seep in. For this reason, having the opinion of an experienced contractor is best at this stage of your conversion. If you opt for no ventilation, though, be prepared for the extra cost of installing a dehumidifier to your crawlspace, which (depending on size), can be more expensive than you'd anticipate.
Using Your Crawlspace for Storage
In a large enough crawlspace, installing custom shelving is an ideal way to make the best use of your new crawlspace storage solution. If this isn't possible, though, airtight plastic containers are your best bet. Make sure not to place any storage too close to any plumbing or ductwork to save you time and hassle should you need to access them for repair later.
An Ideal Home Renovation
Transforming your crawlspace into a storage solution is an ideal way to get added value out of your home in both the short and long term. Perfect for seasonal storage when you don't need daily access to items, having a secure spot under your home can significantly increase the useable square footage of your home, making it not only more comfortable for you, but a fantastic return on investment should you be thinking of selling your home in the future. Taking the time to eliminate and protect against moisture in your home's foundation now, too, is the best way to protect yourself and your family from potentially dangerous mold and mildew, as well as protect your home from damaging dry and wet rot, both of which could have devastating effects on your home as well as your wallet later if left unchecked.
Pro Restoration – Experts in Crawlspace Solutions
The thought of working in a dark, dirty, humid crawlspace filled with potential mold, insects, and rodents is not anyone's ideal way to spend their free time, which is why many homeowners are choosing to leave their crawlspace conversions to professional contractors like Pro Restoration. As local leading experts in water damage, dry rot and moisture related issues in homes, our teams can tackle any crawlspace, big or small, and make sure it's dry, clean, and ready for you to use without issue. Our work is always guaranteed, too, so you can rest easy knowing it's done right at all your belongings are safe even when stored under your home.
Give us a call today to discuss your crawlspace storage solution!
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