Crawl space maintenance checklist

Selling your house can be a stressful and overwhelming process. One important factor to consider before you put your home on the market is the condition of your crawl space, if you have one. If your crawl space isn’t up to par, potential buyers may be turned off by water damage, pests, and other issues. Fortunately, with a few simple crawl space maintenance tips and tricks, you can ensure that your crawl space is in great shape for potential buyers.

What is a crawl space?

The term “crawl space” refers to a small area between the bottom floor of your home and the ground. It’s often less than three high, and it gets its name from the fact that a person needs to crawl — either on their stomach or on their hands and knees — to enter and move about the space.

A crawl space often holds electrical wiring, HVAC equipment, and plumbing components, but not every home has one. They’re typically found in homes in climates that are too damp to support basement construction. Raising the home off the ground and enclosing the area with a crawl space keeps away moisture that could cause damage. Crawl spaces are often found in coastal homes, too. The soil is sandy in these areas, and having a crawl space instead of a basement can prevent water buildup that could put pressure on structural walls.

If you have a crawl space in your home, keeping up with routine crawl space maintenance and care can make your property more attractive to potential buyers. It can also prevent the sale from falling through if crawl space concerns arise during a home inspection. 

Let’s look at some of the common crawl space maintenance issues, and how to fix them before you put your home on the market.

Address moisture issues by installing a vapor barrier

One of the most common problems in crawl spaces is moisture. This can come from leaking pipes or inadequate ventilation. If moisture builds up in the crawl space over time, it can cause mold growth, which can be hazardous to the health of the home’s occupants and will be costly to remove and remediate.

Installing a vapor barrier is an easy and relatively affordable way to protect your crawl space — and your entire home — from moisture damage. A vapor barrier is a large plastic sheet that covers any exposed dirt. It won’t completely eliminate moisture, but it will slow its encroachment. The average vapor barrier costs 50 to 70 cents per square foot, and installing it is an easy DIY project if you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Encapsulate the crawl space to tame moisture and ventilation problems

Sometimes, a vapor barrier isn’t enough to keep moisture and ventilation problems in check in a crawl space. In these situations, encapsulation can keep this moisture-prone area dry. Encapsulation usually begins with the installation of a vapor barrier using tape to seal off the walls and ceiling. Other features like a sump pit and pump, a drain tile, insulation, and a dehumidifier are installed. In some cases, encapsulation may involve pouring new concrete to hold these new features in place.

While vapor-barrier installation is a form of crawl space maintenance you can do yourself, the other components of encapsulation are best left to the professionals. Work with a reputable technician, especially when it comes to the installation of a dehumidifier.

Remediate energy loss with insulation

While crawl spaces aren’t a livable part of the home, they still need to be well insulated. Without proper insulation, warm air escapes through gaps in floorboards or cracks in walls during winter months, which leads to higher energy bills for homeowners. If you’re running your furnace and maintaining a comfortable indoor air temperature, but your feet are still cold as you move about the house, it’s a clear sign you’re losing energy from your crawl space.

The way you insulate your crawl space depends on the general climate in your region. If you live in a warm, dry area, you may only need to add insulation to the floor joists. If your area experiences sub-freezing temperatures each year, it’s wise to insulate the floor joists and walls, and even seal off the entire crawl space. High-quality insulation will help keep out cold air while keeping warm air indoors during winter months. Plus, it’ll make those energy bills more manageable, too.

Related: Check out this home winterization checklist

Remove problem pests

Nuisance and even dangerous pests have a knack for entering even the most well-kept home, and the crawl space is often one of their key entry points. Anything from spiders to ants, mice to rats, termites, and much more can make themselves at home in your crawl space if it isn’t properly maintained. Some of these pests do more than just frighten or annoy homeowners — in many cases, they can do damage to insulation, vapor barriers, and even the wooden structural components of your home.

You don’t want to list your property while you have an active pest infestation. Start by reaching out to a trusted local pest control company, and look for a provider that offers an integrated approach to pest control. These companies not only understand how to remove an active infestation, but also how to keep it from coming back in the future. Also, check with your pest control provider to ensure they’re taking eco-friendly measures that are safe for your family and for the environment.

After getting any pest issues under control, it’s a good idea to invest in encapsulation. By sealing off all potential entry and exit points for pests, you can keep rodents and insects from invading your home, all while keeping moisture and ventilation problems at bay.

Consider future home inspections as you care for your crawl space

When you’re selling a home, a crawl space checkup is often included in the standard home inspection. By thinking ahead and preparing your crawl space, you can prevent any issues that could throw off a sale. Some of the key points inspectors will look for include:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Electrical problems
• Moisture (including damp insulation, standing water, warped materials, etc.)
• Mold and mildew
• Plumbing problems
• Presence of pests
• Ventilation problems

By scheduling your own crawl space inspection before listing your home, you’ll be aware of any issues and know how to fix them before the sale or adjust the price accordingly. Investing some time and effort into your crawl space not only makes your property more attractive for buyers, who appreciate turnkey homes, but it also preserves the health and longevity of your home.

Don’t forget to improve your crawl space before you list your home

With just a few easy steps, you can maintain your crawl space so that it’s ready to show off when potential buyers come knocking on your door. By following the crawl space maintenance steps detailed above, you’ll be well on your way to having an attractive selling point on your hands. Don’t wait until it’s too late—start taking these steps today so that you’re prepared when it comes time to sell.