Your home should be snug and cozy during the winter months and if you have a crawl space, this can be a challenge. Many homeowners do not consider the crawl space as part of the space in their home but it is. Here are five ways you can make sure your crawl space is just as cozy this winter as the rest of your home. Note: always double check with the local building codes.
1. Control Liquid Water
When you think of winter, you mostly think of cold temperatures but winter time can also be wet. A crawl space needs to be dry in order to stay warm. Ensure proper drainage and waterproofing on the exterior walls to keep the wetness out. For your crawl space you need to make sure to fix all wall cracks, put a sump pump in, and grade the crawl space to slope toward any drains.
2. Seal Vents and Openings
You want to keep the outside out and not invite the outside temps in. You can do this by covering the foundation vents and air-sealing penetrations to the exterior. Examples of these are access doors and pipe conduits.
3. Encapsulate the Crawl Space Floors and Walls
You want to keep your crawl space “isolated” from the earth. Basically you will want a moisture vapor barrier covering the ground and attached to the foundation wall. This will keep moisture out of the crawlspace both on the materials and in the air.
4. Insulate
Insulating your crawl space will help improve energy efficiency and help control the temperature. The best way is to insulate the crawl space walls and rim joists. Why? These are the areas that are closets to the outdoor cold air. Also the access door is another place the cool air can seep through, so remember to also insulate the access door.
5. Condition
This can help regulate the temperature and the humidity in the crawl space. A good way to do this is to cut an opening in the ductwork that is in your crawl space. This way your crawl space and the inside of your home will work in harmony.
If you follow these steps, you will benefit from a clean, dry and comfortable crawl space!
