Not The Watermelon Crawl

Are you a fan of the crawl? And I don’t mean the watermelon crawl.

Most folks don’t realize that when moving to North Carolina, you are going to be met with homes
that have crawl spaces. I am an ARMY brat, but was raised in Arizona, and you are not digging
into that AZ soil. So when moving to NC, I was not familiar with crawl spaces, and you may not be
either. I have compiled a list of the benefits of having a crawl space.

Benefits of Having a Crawl Space:

1. Easy Access to Utilities
Plumbing, electrical wiring, ductwork, and HVAC systems can often be routed
through the crawl space, making repairs or upgrades easier and less invasive
than with a slab foundation.

2. Improved Moisture Control (with proper ventilation or encapsulation)
A crawl space can help keep the home above ground-level moisture, especially
in wet or flood-prone areas. Properly sealed or encapsulated crawl spaces can
prevent mold and wood rot.

3. Protection from Flooding
Elevating the home slightly can reduce the risk of damage from minor flooding,
especially in coastal or low-lying areas.

4. Cost-Effective Compared to a Basement
Crawl spaces are generally cheaper and quicker to build than a full basement
while still offering utility access and limited storage. In our area surrounding
Fort Bragg, we have very sandy soil so basements are less common.

5. Pest Control and Inspection
Pest issues can often be spotted and treated early in a crawl space before they
affect the main structure.

6. Better Air Circulation (when vented properly)
A vented crawl space can allow air to circulate beneath the home, reducing
humidity buildup, though this benefit depends heavily on the climate and the
design.

7. Thermal Buffer
Crawl spaces can act as a buffer zone between the ground and the floor of your
home, reducing the direct impact of ground temperatures.

8. Potential for Radon Mitigation
In areas where radon is a concern, crawl spaces allow for easier installation of
radon mitigation systems than slab foundations.

When deciding on a home, some will have very strong opinions on a crawl space or slab, and
others may not have a preference at all. With general home inspections, you will need to allot
for more time if there is a crawl space as opposed to a slab. The inspector needs time to get
under the home and inspect. It is also wise to research encapsulating your crawl space, and if
that is a cost you are willing to take on. Stay tuned for the benefits of slab foundations, and as
always, I hope you leave this article more educated and empowered during the purchase and
selling process in North Carolina because education is The Smith Standard. Now I must...

Sashay away,
Allisha