Space economics has nothing to do with ambitious big budget explorations in extraterrestrial or outer space. It has nothing to do with the science of astronomy or even the associated physical sciences. The economics of space is a concept that is a lot closer to home than one can ever imagine since it is the philosophy of making good and full use of every square inch of home floor space. Crawl spaces, cellars, basements and other similar areas of the house which has no definite functional purpose are given an interesting take on life.
Space Economics
Thus, the essence of home space economics is in the understanding and appreciation of the different components of the house, the way in which individual components interact to create the whole structure, and the mechanisms by which these components achieve structural integrity.
The rising cost of building materials as well as the expenses needed to renovate or even remodel one’s home to allocate more space for the ever-increasing needs of the family has clearly paved the way for the optimization of every square inch of functional units in the home. The central idea in this endeavor is in the use and reuse of every available space in one’s home to serve some specific function not otherwise thought of. Parts, spaces, or rooms of the house that may have no functional use during its construction should now be reconsidered for a possible change of purpose.
Considering that the average American home usually has a basement which can either be in the form of cellars or crawlspaces, these rooms or spaces can actually serve some other useful purposes. Traditionally cellars have been extensively used to store food and drink, especially alcoholic beverages like wines. Modern American homes now seldom integrate cellars in their construction, except perhaps in the homes of the American Midwest, especially within the Tornado Alley. Full basements however, offer greater protection against these natural disasters.
Crawl spaces on the other hand are basements that are so small that one needs to literally ‘crawl’ in the tiny and often cramped space, hence the name. Of course, the central idea of a crawlspace type of basement is that the limited space will not allow occupants to stand in the space. In most cases, the crawlspace floor surface is made up of oil. Full basements and cellars thus, already have predefined purposes that will require minimal modification. For the most part, crawl spaces can be fully utilized for a variety of purposes and not convenient access points to pipes, substructures and other areas that are either difficult to reach or expensive to access.
Modern day home space economics should therefore focus on the optimization of the crawl spaces to serve other useful purposes other than storage of infrequently used items and as access to other structures necessary for home management. If American homeowners can harness the space saving potential of the crawl spaces, they will be able to identify more creative and functional uses of the crawl spaces.
Initiating the Space Technology
The identification of the crawl space as the highly likely candidate for space maximization efforts is only one thing. What is more important are the necessary steps required to prepare the crawl space to become an essentially functional new space in one’s home.
Since the crawl space surface flooring is soil, one major problem is the relatively higher incidence of mold and mildew formation in the crawl space surfaces. This is because of the entry of humidity through the crawl space vents and the seepage of moisture through the porous concrete walls of the crawl space. Furthermore, because of the physical properties of gases, warm air rises from the crawl spaces and into the upper regions of the house. As such, there is a very strong possibility that mold and mildew spores as well as fecal material from dust mites in the crawl spaces can get carried away and enter the space of the house directly above the crawl spaces. Such phenomenon can have deleterious effects on the health of susceptible members of the household.
The health risks posed by the development of mold and mildew colonies in the crawl spaces should be adequately addressed first before being used for other well-meant functional purposes.
1. Adequate moisture control should be instituted in the crawl spaces in order to reduce, if not totally eliminate, moisture. Removing moisture will deprive mold and mildew colonies of their much needed optimal environment for growth and development.
So here are a few tips for you to ensure adequate moisture control on your crawl space.
* The installation of crawl space dehumidifiers can greatly aid in the removal of moisture, although its relatively high cost has precluded most homeowners from installing one. Thus, it is generally not practical to install a dedicated crawl space dehumidifier especially if the crawl space is relatively small with the height not higher than a foot or so. For larger crawl spaces, dehumidifiers already integrated in crawl space liners can work well to remove moisture and lower humidity in the crawl space.
* Install a protective membrane which can act as a barrier against vapors or moisture which can also be instrumental in the prevention of moisture entry into the crawl space from the earth underneath. Protective membranes such as ethylene propylene diene M (EPDM) type of membrane can help insulate the crawl space and at the same time discourage the occupation of insects and vermin in the crawl space. This is because the protective membrane breaks the ecological chain involving insects feeding off mold and vermin feeding on insects. Furthermore, such membranes provide a physical inorganic barrier that prevents the entrance of these organisms into the crawl space.
* Apply damp-proofing agents on the foundation walls, especially on the below-grade portions to prevent the foundation wall of the crawl space from absorbing moisture from the ground.
* A drainage plane material or gravel can be installed against the crawl space foundation wall in order to ease the hydrostatic pressure while draining water to the foundation drain.
2. Aside from moisture control, your crawl space should also be adequately protected from water entry. Water can literally eat away at the very foundation of your home and significantly contribute to the formation of mold and mildew colonies. These microorganisms can then provide the necessary nutrients for other organisms such as microbes and insects to grow and multiply.
* Provide effective mechanisms to divert water away from the perimeter of the house, especially the crawl spaces. Rain drainage structures like gutters and downspouts as well as drainage swales can direct water away from the house.
* Position the rain gutter while sloping it gently for not more than 5% from the house’s foundation walls. For best estimates, you can slope it at least six inches for every ten feet.
* Apply water proofing materials on both the surface floors and foundation walls of the crawl space so that water seepage from the ground will be prevented. Cracks and fissures in the walls and flooring surfaces should be filled with water proofing materials.
* A primary sump pump can be installed in order to automatically remove water in the crawl spaces without the need for human intervention. These devices work by automatically draining water into the exterior drainage pipes once a critical level has been reached.
Maximizing the Potential of Crawl Spaces
Once the foregoing issues of water entry, moisture accumulation, humidity development, mold and mildew formation, and insect and vermin infestation are adequately addressed, crawl spaces can then be significantly modified so as to accommodate some space saving innovations.
Because the crawl space is essentially a basement sans adequate height, it can hardly qualify as a living quarter. The only provision left for the crawlspace will be its use as storage for essentially anything and everything.
1. Organize the crawl space into meaningful segments or partitions which will house different items for storage. Typically, organic matter and easily biodegradable materials should be stored well above the surface floor of the crawl space. Although the crawl space flooring has already been primed with damp-proofing and water proofing agents, one can never afford to be over confident.
2. Use metal or plastic containers in storing items and objects in order to further prevent the development of mold and mildew colonies. In situations where wood materials are to be used in the construction of storage compartments, these individual materials should be pre-treated first with anti-termite solutions as well as applied with water- and damp- proofing agents.
3. Provide adequate lighting in the crawl space in order to minimize any risks associated with accidents. Appropriate lighting conditions can also preclude the development of mold and mildew colonies by creating just enough luminance so as not to heat the entire crawlspace. Heating in the crawlspace can predispose the whole room to the phenomenon of stacking.
4. Creating designs on crawl space liners as well as foundation walls can provide a welcome respite from the otherwise boring interior of the crawl space. Such creativity can greatly increase the value of your crawl space and the entire house.
5. Seek professional help from companies that offer various services such as those that manage heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, sewage pipes and drainage systems, and basement concerns. These professional companies can help you determine the full operational functionality of your crawl space by carefully looking at its inherent design as well as nature of construction.
In today’s economically uncertain times, it pays a lot to enlist considerable savings from virtually anything. The economics of space saving can greatly aid the modern day American homeowner on how best to maximize the functionality of each square inch of floor space in the home. Making sense of the functional purpose of crawl spaces will be the necessary stepping stone for the homeowner to realize that every single space in the home is a valuable place to start.
