What Is a Crawl Space Basement?

New Rules May Apply

• New building codes in many states will enhance the average crawl space. Enclosing the crawlspace, insulating it and treating it somewhat differently than basic dug-out space is now required (see Resources). Building codes outline that the space must be properly encapsulated in order to keep the space safe from water leakage and rodents, for example.

Plastic Offers Options

• Attention should be paid to creating a clean, neat space. Installing plastic over the dirt will certainly help. You can store certain small items, such as a weed whacker or water hose, in the crawl space on top of the plastic. While you don't want to actually clutter the space as you might a basement room, you can put a small ladder or can of paint in the crawl space. Cover about 75 percent of the soil, or the house flooring and joists will "dry rot." The functional purpose of the plastic is to prevent excessive moisture in the crawl space.

Protect Water Pipes

• In cold climates, you will want to install "heat tape" around water pipes running through a crawl space. A full-size basement might receive heat from a furnace or heat pump; therefore, you don't necessarily have to worry about pipes freezing. A crawl space can become extremely cold, because it is removed from the heated areas of a house. It's important to protect the pipes from any issues. They are difficult to repair or replace in a small crawl space versus a roomy basement.

Make It Deeper

• A tight crawl space can be enlarged. It is difficult to dig a crawl space deeper and address all issues of creating a deeper space, but you can do it. It's important, however, not to disturb the foundation footings of your home in the process. You will need to consult with an expert on how to make a slightly deeper crawl space, if you really need to access pipes or flooring more easily.

Crawl Spaces Cost Less

• Building a home with a full basement typically adds more value than a crawl space. A basement provides more options for building a laundry room or bedrooms, for example. In many areas, such as near a beach or lakeside, homeowners may not want to deal with the possible flooding issues of a basement. They can buy a new home with a specific amount of square footage --with a crawl space -- for less, also. Building a crawl space is significantly less expensive than constructing a full basement.