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What is a Crawl Space?

by | Aug 8, 2018 | Real Estate Glossary

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When people are looking to buy a new home, they rarely consider what is under their feet. However, it is vital to know about what’s below the surface of homes, especially when you’re standing on top of a crawl space.

But what is a crawl space?

Simply speaking, a crawl space is a hollow area between the ground and first floor. It is around 1 to 3 feet high, providing enough space for a person to crawl inside, as the name implies. However, in some rare cases, it can be full-height like a basement. A well-designed crawl space has numerous benefits over the concrete slab and, therefore, adds value to your house.

What are the benefits of a crawl space?

There are many benefits of crawl spaces. They are not only used to elevate a home, but also serve as a space to install air conditioning and a heater, as well as hide ductwork, electric wiring, and plumbing. They also provide a better option than concrete slabs, especially when issues like pipe leaks arise, where excavation becomes much more convenient and offers easier access to the pipes. Furthermore, they are much cheaper than basements. A crawl space costs around $9,000 to $30,000 for an average house as opposed to a basement, which can cost $70,000 to $140,000, or even more.
For people living in damp locations or areas with high posture, crawl spaces are a much better option as they are less prone to termites and cracks compared to conventional basements.
However, you must always ensure that the crawl space has a proper ventilation system for your home’s structure as well as your health. Ventilation can be provided by installing a vent that pumps air from an HVAC system. A humidifier also works well, particularly in wet regions. Lack of ventilation can move the moisture from the ground, which can lure termites, fungi, and in some cases, rodents.
It is significantly important to have your potential home examined by a professional home inspector and be sure to ask questions about the crawl space!
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The information contained in this blog is for general information purposes only, and while believed to be accurate, Trelora assumes no legal responsibility for accuracy. Information provided within should not relied upon as legal advice. Please consult with your local advisors for independent information regarding availability and applicability in your market.