How to Maximize Your Crawl Space

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Some homes have a crawl space as part of the house for protection and utility work. It is the area between the ground and your house where it creates space for maintenance and repair on plumbing, gas hookups, wiring, and ventilation. The distance between crawl spaces and your ground floor is usually three feet high, not enough for a person to stand inside. You need to crawl to navigate, which is how these areas got their name. You may utilize these spaces in several functions and creative ideas. If you want to know how to maximize your crawl space, read on.

Taking Care of Your Crawl Space

There could be times that you may forget about your crawl space, and it may have insects, critters, dampness, cobwebs, and mold. This space also needs regular maintenance, just like any other part of your home. Before you can utilize this space and turn it into a more functional area, make sure that you clean it first.

If you want to convert your crawl space into storage for outdoor items, you need to make sure that it is well-ventilated and check your home air filters if it needs replacement. If you want to make storage for items you want to keep safe, you will need some upgrades or retrofitting.

Conditioning your crawl space also needs insulation to help keep harmful elements from penetrating inside. Keep in mind also that it would be impossible to permanently seal your crawl space because all houses move and shift. You need to check regularly and keep the moisture out at all times. A dehumidifier will be an ideal tool to do this job.

Seasonal Items Storage

If you do not have enough storage for your seasonal items in your house, you may opt to use your crawl space instead of leaving these items boxed up in your corridor. You can keep your holiday decorations here, or your winter sports equipment during the summer, and your pool or beach items during the cold season. Make sure that you organize your things properly. Put them in a box with labels that would fit just right in your crawl space.

Root Cellar

Root cellars had been a part of a tradition in keeping foods fresh year-round. People used to dig holes under their houses with a cooler temperature and store root crops like carrots, squash, potatoes, and more. Your crawl space can also function as a root cellar or a pantry. It is a great space to store canned goods and jarred items, which will help keep your food from spoiling.

Wine Cellar

If you are the type of person who loves drinking and collecting wine, your crawl space can be a good wine cellar. You can use short wine racks that will go into your crawl space and fix your bottles upon them. When it’s time to consume your wine, crawl in there and grab your favorite wine.

Rainwater Collector

Another way of maximizing the function of your crawl space is you can use it for storing collected rainwater. Many people collect rainwater using different kinds of vessels for later use, such as watering gardens and lawns. You may also convert your crawl space for storing these containers for rainwater. Just make sure that you provide a proper cover to maintain the moisture level at bay and prevent any mold build-up.

There are plenty of ways to maximize your crawl space, but remember to allow some space for its primary purpose: troubleshooting a damaged utility line. Make sure that you maintain its cleanliness at all times to prevent any health issues that may arise.