What Is the Purpose of a Crawl Space?

The crawl space is a crucial area of your home. It is not an exaggeration to say that the key to the health of your home overall lies within regular maintenance of the crawl space. 

• Why Is the Crawl Space Important? 

The crawl space’s main purpose is to store many of your house’s most important systems and components, including your: 

• Plumbing 
• HVAC system 
• Air ducts 
• Electrical wiring 
• Insulation 
• Foundation  

These systems must remain dry at all times. Any standing water or moisture might short-circuit some of these systems or prevent them from performing their duties properly. 

• How Big Is My Crawl Space? 

Typically, a crawl space’s ceiling ranges anywhere between one and three feet high, which is just large enough for an adult to crawl through. This does not mean you should venture inside your crawl space. Even crawl spaces with higher ceilings can be quite narrow given all the important systems held within them. 

You should especially avoid going into your crawl space if it has soil floors. If the soil surrounding your foundation was not compromised before, you may accidentally kick or shift that soil around once you venture inside. This will only allow more moisture to seep into this space and cause more problems. It is best to leave any repairs within this space to the crawl space experts.