If you don’t have a basement, you likely have a crawl space between your first floor and the ground. Just because it's not a living area doesn't mean you won't need repairs. Not paying attention to crawl space repairs can damage the rest of the home. In fact, according to PR Newswire, globally, the foundation repair services market is rising at a CAGR of 7.2% for the estimated period from 2019 to 2027, and for good reason! Read on to learn about the benefits of making such repairs.

1. Balance Floors

Can you imagine walking around on sloping and uneven floors? If your floors are uneven in places, not only will it look unsightly, but it could also make it easy for people to trip or slip. Such structural problems can happen when you don't pay attention to timely crawl space repairs. In addition to warped flooring, flooring materials may also gravitate into cracks in your walls and make your doors stick. If your floor becomes warped, you'll eventually have to replace it. If your floors are made of hardwood, that’ll be a very costly repair, but it is one you can avoid. If you keep up with your hardwood floors, they can last for as long as 100 years, according to Forbes. If you have to replace them early, the project can be very costly to your home budget.

2. Remove Mold

Did you know that mold can develop in your crawl spaces? When you repair the vapor barriers in your crawl spaces, you can prevent the presence of mold or mildew. Once mold spreads, it usually doesn't stop spreading on its own. You'd have to call in a mold remediation professional to get rid of the mold and possibly remove the surfaces that it has contaminated. After all, mold doesn't just stick to the top surface itself; it can seep deeper into the foundation of your home and weaken it.

If mold spreads anywhere in your home, it can create major health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other allergic reactions. Those spores will latch onto your lungs and wreak havoc on you and your family's health. If you have any pets that like to fool around in your crawl spaces or other areas, they may also end up getting sick from mold exposure. Plus, any home that has mold can easily lose its value because it can cause structural issues and affect your health.

3. Create a Stable Temperature

Who doesn't want to live in a home that always has a comfortable temperature? When your home is insulated, it can ensure the indoor air is always cool in summer and warm in winter. Regardless of how great your HVAC unit is, it can become useless if you have too many air leaks or poor insulation. With crawl space repairs, you're making sure that the space under your home has the right insulation to stabilize your home temperature.

4. Improve Air Quality

Fresh air is a must for a healthy life. The air inside your home should be just as fresh and healthy as the air you want to breathe when you go outside. Improve your air quality by sealing the crawl space. This step can prevent moisture from creeping in and impacting the air quality with mold, mildew, or other issues.

5. Stop Pests

Unfortunately, pests can come through a vulnerable crawl space. If you pride yourself on keeping a stable, clean, and comfortable home, the last thing you want is rodents, cockroaches, snakes, or other vermin getting through the crawl space and into your living quarters. Seal off your crawl space to keep these unwanted pests outside and away from your property where they belong. There are many pests, such as rodents and cockroaches that can multiply very quickly. If such vermin were to get into your home, they could contaminate your food supply and damage your possessions.

6. Save Energy

Properly insulating your home isn't just about keeping it comfortable; it can also help you save money and energy! When you watch your energy expenditure, you're helping to reduce the carbon footprint that you have on the planet. Your home budget can also benefit since you can also have lower energy bills. When your HVAC unit doesn't have to consistently work overtime to make up for air loss, you can also increase its lifespan so you won't have to replace it sooner than necessary.

7. Maintain Structural Integrity

Maintaining a strong foundation is a must for any home. When the structural integrity of your home is in danger, it can wreak havoc and make your home unlivable and unsafe. Timely crawl space repairs can ensure nothing is going on that could damage the foundation and cause cave-ins or other damage. After all, a poor structure is a threat to the safety of your family and anyone else who enters your home.

8. Increase Your Home Value

For most Americans, their homes are their biggest and most expensive assets. Even if you love the home that you're in, you may plan to sell it one day. If you decide to age in place, you can have a beautiful home to give to your future heirs. Whatever decision you make, increasing your property value is important for your overall net worth. By paying attention to crawl space repairs, you can ensure your property value is in good standing. As mentioned, your crawl space plays a role in the foundational integrity of your house. Therefore, if a potential buyer or appraiser sees that all aspects of your home foundation are strong and you don't have any mold or insulation vulnerabilities, your home will have the best value possible.

9. Prevent Flooding

The last thing any homeowner wants is for their home to flood. Flooding can cause extensive damage that takes a long time to repair. When floods happen, they usually occur on the lower floors, such as the basement or main level. If those parts of the house are destroyed, your home won’t have a strong foundation to stand on. You can reduce the risk of flooding by having proper drainage systems as well as repairs to stop water from accumulating in your crawl space.

10. Enjoy Peace of Mind

As a homeowner, you can never have too much peace of mind! Obtaining necessary crawl space repairs can ease the burden of having a weakened foundation, mold, insulation problems, or threats of a flood. By being proactive with these repairs, you reduce many future problems that could decrease your home value or even make it unlivable. If you've put so much into your home and you want to stay there for a long time, don’t ignore your crawl space.

If you thought your crawl space was a part of your property that didn't count, you couldn't be more wrong. As you can see, being mindful of timely crawl space repairs can be a major advantage in keeping a comfortable and valuable home for years to come. From the top of your roof to the bottom of your crawl space, be mindful of repairs you need to make so that one small problem doesn't turn into a big one. To learn more about your crawl space and what you need to do to repair it, contact Foundations First Northwest today.