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Curing Your Crawl Space
If you’ve identified a problem in your crawl space, address it right away. Left alone, the situation will only get worse, and the buyer’s home inspector is likely to notice!
The solution depends upon the type of crawl space you have:
Open Crawl Space:The most common, least energy efficient and most trouble-prone type, with an exposed or partially covered dirt floor and open foundation vents.
Closed Crawl Space:The preferable type, and more costly to build. There are variations in the types of flooring and walls and the encapsulation products and moisture control equipment used.
Crawl Space Strategies for SellersGet a pre-listing home inspection. If you’ve noticed any symptoms, ask the inspector to pay special attention to the crawl space and advise whether or not you need a professional assessment by a crawl space specialist. Choose the company with care, as North Carolina does not regulate this work, and there are no qualification standards. Ask how many years of moisture control experience the individual has, and where and how he was trained. Find out how many moisture control projects he’s done. Get the names of client references, and be sure to check them.
Some companies will provide a free assessment. During the visit, discuss the specifics of the ideal products and equipment for your project. Ask if there are any less costly alternatives. Get estimates, but be aware that a low price could be a sign of inexperience, improper shortcuts or the use of inferior products and equipment. For example, the plastic sheeting and tape normally found at home improvement stores are poor choices. In some cases it may be possible to do some or all of the work yourself, but only if you know the right solutions and can implement them correctly, using the right products. Remember that the buyer’s home inspector will be checking your work, and if it wasn’t done properly, you may have to pay for it a second time!
Basic Recipe for a Healthy Crawl Space
- Vapor barrier or concrete floor (mud pad)
- Insulation
- Dehumidifier
The correct solution depends upon the type of crawl space.
Smart Selling Tip: Get a pre-listing home inspection and ask whether or not you need a professional assessment of your crawl space. If repairs are needed, do the work correctly as the buyer’s home inspector will find any defects, and you could pay twice.
