Keeping your crawl space clean and dry at all times offers plenty of benefits. For example, you can prevent molds, pests, and insects from infesting your property and causing problems to your home's foundation and even your health. You'll also be able to keep your living spaces comfortable.

But how can you maintain the underside of your home? To help you, here are some tips you can follow:

Tip 1: Install Crawl Space Drying Fans

By installing crawl space drying fans, you can keep the air circulating in the underside of your property and ensure that the area stays dry. It would be best to use strong and big enough to cover your entire crawl space.

Using small fans may not be effective in keeping the underside of your home dry. You may be wasting your hard-earned money on purchasing such fans and paying for the energy or electricity they'll consume.

Tip 2: Use a Dehumidifier

Installing a dehumidifying system in your crawl space can control the moisture levels in the area. It also helps dry out the underside of your property. To ensure your dehumidifier works effectively, close all vents and seal the ground with a vapor barrier before installing the dehumidifier.

Tip 3: Install a Vapor Barrier

If your crawl space has an exposed dirt floor, the ground moisture can seep into your home and increase humidity. To prevent it, you need to install a vapor barrier on the underside of your property.

If installed correctly, the vapor barrier can reduce the moisture levels in the underside of your property by 50%. It can also keep your crawl space dry for many years.

Tip 4: Utilize a Sump Pump

If the underside of your home has standing water, consider installing a sump pump in the lowest part or section of the area. It's a device that automatically pumps the excess water away from your home's foundation through a discharge line. Its components include a pump, sump liner, pump stand, alarm system, check valve, and floor drain.

Tip 5: Insulate Your Crawl Space

Some homeowners believe that if they install a vapor barrier in the underside of their properties, they won't need to insulate the area. Although both can help keep your crawl space dry, they have different functions.

Vapor barriers prevent water vapor infiltration in the underside of your home, while insulation reduces temperature fluctuations in the area. Fiberglass batts, foam boards, or spray foams are usually used to insulate crawl spaces.

Tip 6: Insulate Your Plumbing Systems

You should ensure that your plumbing systems are also insulated when insulating your crawl space. By doing so, you'll be able to prevent condensation from forming and spreading during cold weather. You can use a bubble-film wrap, foil-backed natural cotton, flexible foam, or foam-and-foil insulation.

Tip 7: Fix Any Cracks and Holes in Your Crawl Space

Inspect the underside of your home and seal any holes or cracks where water can enter. You can use a caulking gun, epoxy injection, or carbon fiber strips to reinforce the cracked or bowed walls.

Tip 8: Ensure Your Downspouts Are in the Proper Position

Your downspouts help drain water from your roof. But ensure they face away from your home and the water they gather doesn't flow towards your property. You can add a metal or PVC downspout extension and position it to extend a few feet away from your house to ensure water won't get near your foundation walls.

Tip 9: Hire Experts for Regular Inspection and Maintenance

To ensure that the underside of your home remains clean and dry, you should hire professional waterproofing contractors to inspect and maintain the area regularly. One of the benefits of doing so is that you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve hired people who can determine and fix any issues in your crawl space before they cause further damage to your property.

Protect the Underside of Your Home Today!

The underside of homes is often neglected, especially since it can be hard to access. But since you already know the possible problems brought about by an unmaintained crawl space, you should start protecting the area today. Follow the tips listed above, and you'll surely be able to keep your crawl space clean and dry at all times.