Crawl Spaces Uncovered: What to Know

When you think about a house, chances are your mind goes to kitchens, bathrooms, maybe even the attic—but hardly anyone thinks about the crawl space. Yet this hidden area plays a huge role in the health of your home. It's easy to ignore, but problems down there can creep up fast.

Crawl spaces are essentially the shallow, unfinished areas beneath a home—usually between the ground and the first floor. Not all homes have them, but in certain parts of the country, especially where basements aren’t common, crawl spaces are pretty standard. They provide a place to tuck away plumbing, wiring, and HVAC systems while lifting the home off the damp ground. But here’s the catch: if they’re not cared for, they can become a breeding ground for moisture, mold, pests, and even structural damage.

There are a couple of main types: vented and sealed (also called encapsulated). Vented crawl spaces allow air to flow through, which was once thought to prevent moisture buildup. The problem? In many climates, all that air just brings in humidity, making things worse. Sealed crawl spaces, on the other hand, are closed off from outside air and typically include vapor barriers and dehumidifiers to help maintain a dry environment.

A damp, musty crawl space isn’t just gross—it can actually affect your home’s air quality and energy efficiency. Think of it like this: up to half the air you breathe on the first floor could be coming from below. If your crawl space is full of mildew, guess what’s floating upstairs?

Signs of crawl space trouble include sagging floors, musty smells, increased allergies, or unexplained high energy bills. If you suspect issues, it’s worth getting an inspection. Professionals can assess whether your crawl space needs sealing, better drainage, or a full overhaul. And if you’re house hunting, don’t forget to take a peek under the home—or better yet, ask your inspector to.

Caring for a crawl space isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of those “out of sight, out of mind” things that can cost you big later if neglected. In summary, I’d say it’s one of the most overlooked parts of a home, yet one of the most important. If you’re a homeowner, or soon to be, take the time to understand what’s going on beneath your feet. You’ll thank yourself later.