Crawl Space Excavated vs Unexcavated – Understanding the Differences!

Safety is the top priority when constructing buildings, especially when it is more than a single floor. The high your building gets, you will consider the best options for solidifying the construction. One of the most controversial arguments is whether crawl spaces should be excavated or unexcavated. Though both options are considered safe and are permitted by engineers, it is always critical to compare to find the best option because opinions and necessaries differ with each individual. Hence, the article compares crawl space excavated vs unexcavated to find the best option when constructing, considering the safety and necessity.

What is an Excavated Crawl Space?

The crawl space in a building is the part between the first and second floors, lying below the second story.

Most of the time, the crawl spaces are occupied by electrical wires, pipes and sewages, but the difference between an excavated and unexcavated crawl space is the space left between.

If there is a hollow built not more than 6 feet beneath a floor, it is known as an excavated crawl space. Most excavate a crawl space primarily to ventilate the area by avoiding soggy and moist flooring.

If you are considering excavating your crawl space, safety should be the priority when building, as it should have a solid base and entryway to make It safe when an individual crawls through.

An excavated crawl space is also home to pests and animals like rats, which can grow in large numbers over time.

What is an Unexcavated Crawl Space?

An unexcavated crawl space is an area that excludes a hollow and does not have enough space for a person to fit in. Hence an unexcavated crawl space is most of the time left than 4 feet.

An excavated crawl space is also occupied for the space purpose of pipe, heating systems and electrical wires, but the base is more congested, trapping the moist. As a result, you will experience a mould infestation on your flooring and roof.

Fungus and yeast can eventually grow inside your home, giving it an unpleasant look. However, An unexcavated crawl space does not require any special attention when construction because the foundations are already set when building.

Why Should you Consider Excavating your Crawl Space?

It can be a tough choice and needs to be clarified if you should excavate your crawl space, which might lead you to question why you should consider excavating your crawl space.

Most of the time, excavating your crawl space is required to provide enough space for electrical, water sewages and cooling-heating systems to flow freely without getting congested.

Excavating the crawl space ventilates the area by preventing mould infestation or dampness. As a result, excavated crawl space will also improve the air quality released through the air conditioners because of the proper ventilation system.

It also makes it easier if repairs and reconditioning in the electrical wiring and water sewages are required, as you have plenty of space to crawl inside.

How Much does Crawl Space Excavation Cost?

A crawl space excavation must be safe and secure when construction to avoid damage to the dwelling because poor construction quality can be threatening. Thus, you must ensure the excavated crawl space is solid and properly constructed.

Though an unexcavated crawl space will not require extra charges, you will have to pay extra for a crawl space excavation.

If you are wondering how much a crawl space excavation costs, the total amount for the excavation is determined by the size of the area, and manpower, including the labour cost and the materials. Thus, the cost can start from $8000 to $21,000.

What are the Benefits of Excavated Crawl Spaces?

Excavating a crawl space comes with many benefits, primarily considering the ventilation system provided to avoid mould infestation or dampness. However, the benefits are not limited; thus, we have listed the benefits of an excavated crawl space below.

1. An excavated crawl space makes it convenient when there are repairs as it allows plumbers and electricians to fit into the space.
2. Improves the air quality in the house.
3. Secures the electrical wiring
4. Reduces the chances of water leaking inside the house.
5. Prevents unpleasant musty odours coming from the water sewages.
6. Does not damage the dwellings or structure because of the less risk related to excess moisture corroding the walls and beams.

What are the Benefits of Unexcavated Crawl Spaces?

As much as it is not recommended to keep your crawl space, there are also benefits that people consider. However, there are few benefits to excavated crawl spaces. Below is a list of benefits of unexcavated crawl spaces and reasons why some prefer them more than excavated crawl spaces

1. Budget-friendly; will not require any extra charges to build.
2. Requires fewer materials when constructing.

Crawl Space Excavated vs Unexcavated Comparison

Opinions and necessaries vary with each person, which made crawl space excavated and unexcavated a controversial topic. It needs to be clearer about the most suitable option for their house. However, the comparison in the article will help you find the best answer.

Both excavated and unexcavated crawl spaces are safe, but you must pay extra attention over time because these have their downfalls.

Crawl spaces are generally occupied by the water sewage system, electrical wires, and heat and cooling system, requiring ventilation to avoid moisture in the base. But considering the unexcavated crawl space, the area is congested, making it difficult to vapourize freely.

The dampness and moisture filling in the unexcavated crawl space can lead to mould infestation and dampness.

As a result, it starts to damage the HVAC system in your home by building rust, fungus and yeast in the walls, which over time will harm the sanitation in your home.

When the moisture is trapped in the unexcavated crawl space, you will often experience a musty odour and poor quality in the home.

The prolonged leakages causing excess moisture in the crawl space can start to erode the joints and beams in your home, damaging the structure. But excavated crawl space, in comparison, will save you from many of the above.

However, only some things are great about an excavated crawl space considering the cost for excavation, which, in contrast, is much cheaper when it comes to an unexcavated crawl space.

Thus, considering the above facts in the article about crawl space excavated vs unexcavated, an excavated crawl space is considered a better option.

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Video Credits – Frontier Foundation & Crawl Space Repair

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