What to Look For When Buying a House With a Crawl space

What's a Crawl space?

Buying a house is a crucial decision for anyone. You want to ensure the house you're buying is in good condition and has a stable and safe foundation. Today, many residential new builds across Missouri and Kansas use crawl spaces over full basements. Crawl spaces are relatively cheap and are more functional than slab foundations. 

If you're house hunting and thinking of buying one with a crawl space included, this article is for you. Here we'll discuss the important factors to check on when buying a house with a crawl space.

What is a Crawl space?

A crawl space is a small, narrow space beneath the construction floors and above the ground. The crawl space is typically one to three feet high, just higher enough for someone to crawl through the area for inspection or maintenance purposes. That's why it is called a crawl space.

The crawl space is also called the "gut" of your house. It is because the space affects the overall structure of your house. That's why it's crucial to inspect any potential damage, cracks, mold, or wood rot in the space before purchasing a property with a crawl space.

Factors to Look for When Evaluating a House with a Crawl Space?

Ventilation and Insulation

When looking for a house with a crawl space, inspecting its ventilation and insulation is essential. Proper ventilation helps prevent moisture development and reduces mold growth. Insulation helps regulate the temperature and prevents moisture buildup.

When buying a house with an existing crawl space, be sure to check for any signs of dampness, gaps, or cracks inside of the crawl space. Also, inspect the space and walls carefully to see if there are any cracks and holes that odors and dust could enter from.

Remember, a well-ventilated and insulated crawl space can increase the overall energy efficiency and longevity of the home.

RELATED: Ready for a ventilation system? Explore the EZ Breathe System.

Plumbing and Electrical Systems

Before purchasing a home, don't forget to check the plumbing and electrical systems within the crawl space. These are both very important components of a building, and not taking the time to inspect them while buying can cause costly repairs in the future. 

Start with an inspection of the entire plumbing system. Look for any signs of leaks, damp spots, or water damage on the floor. Then carefully check out the pipes to inspect any damage in their body. Finally, never forget to check the drainage system and make sure they're functioning properly.

Next, turn your full attention to the electrical systems. See if there is any exposed wiring that could potentially become a safety hazard. Then check and ensure that all the outlets and switches are functioning properly. 

Pest Control

If the crawl space is not properly maintained & inspected often, it can become home to different types of nasty, unwanted pests, such as rats and mice, and insects, such as rodents, spiders, cockroaches, ants, and more. 

These pests can not only be an annoyance but can also cause damage to the house structure and pose health risks to living members.

That's why it's very important to inspect for any types of pests and insects inside the crawl space and have them addressed before making any financial decisions about buying the house. 

Accessibility and Storage

You should consider the easy accessibility and decent storage facility within the crawl space when buying your house. The crawl space often needs inspection and repairs, and the easy accessibility of the space makes it easier for any sort of repairs and other maintenance work. 

In addition, if the crawl space has enough storage space, it can be a great benefit for the homeowners to use the space for storing items that are not frequently used. 

Ensure the crawl space has enough storage and decent accessibility, like a large enough door or hatch to easily enter and exit. Be sure to test the accessibility and storage space before purchasing the home. 

Structural Integrity

Another important thing to look for while making a purchase of your new house with a crawl space is to check the structural integrity of the space. Make sure to analyze if the foundation and beams are in good condition, with no signs of rots and damage. 

Additionally, look for any cracks in the floor and walls, as these things indicate that there is a problem with the foundation and the building's structural stability.

Do All Houses Have Crawl Spaces?

Not all houses are required to have crawl spaces. Having crawl spaces in your house depends on various factors, such as the construction style, building practices, local building codes, etc. If these factors demand you to have a crawl space at your house, then your developer will suggest you have one. 

Also, its cost-effectiveness plays an important role in people choosing crawl spaces over other types of foundations. 

The other types of foundations include basement and concrete slab foundations. They also have their own advantages & disadvantages.

Benefits of Buying Homes with Crawl Spaces

Easy Access

Homes with crawl spaces provide the advantages of easy access to pipes, insulation, electrical and HVAC systems. Plumbers or any maintenance worker can easily assess the issues within the crawl space and work quickly to repair them. 

This easy access of the crawl space makes it a better foundation option compared to homes with basements or slab foundations. 

Safe Storage

Crawl space makes it a safe and convenient space for storing things. Homeowners can store the things that are just occasionally needed, such as Christmas lights, camping gear, and other seasonal items. 

In addition, since crawl spaces are very well-ventilated and insulated, there are fewer possibilities of molds and pests, making the space safe for storage your personal belongings.

Additional Protection

The crawl space provides extra protection to your home's foundation and structure. Crawl spaces are more ventilated than basement foundations and never give easy access to any kind of mold and pests in your house. 

In addition, having a crawl space beneath your home provides extra protection as opposed to floods. The one to three feet space under your property acts as a buffer zone, giving you more time to respond to the flood before it reaches your living area.

Are you ready to explore the crawl space in a potential home purchase? Reach out to PierMagic to inspect the area for proper insulation, ventilation, and moisture control.