Purpose of a Crawlspace.

Many customers want to know, very basically, what the purpose of a crawl space is. In essence, a crawl space, as its name implies, is a variation of basement in which one crawls around. It may be as small as a foot tall, and the surface is often bare earth. Traditionally, crawl spaces are built on homes lacking either a basement or that are not built on a slab. Many buildings, especially commercial buildings, have a crawl space between some walls. The primary purpose of a crawl space is to promote air circulation through the home and also allow easy access to plumbing, electrical and other such maintenance, repair and installation needs. Crawl spaces offer an expedient and efficient way to access pipes, substructures and a variety of other areas that may be difficult or expensive to reach otherwise. Older homes in areas where basements are rare have high foundations with crawl spaces that allow cooling air to circulate throughout the home.

Though a crawl space cannot be utilized as a living space, it can be used for storage of infrequently used items. One should be cautious in doing so, however, as moisture from the damp soil, along with humidity from crawl space vents and water seeping through permeable concrete, can and will create a breeding ground for mold and mildew to form on any organic surface, including cardboard boxes, wood floors and even some types of insulation. Overall, a crawl space can serve a variety of purposes, not the least of which is the actual foundation of a home. And, as such, it should be treated like the rest of the home.