How to Store Stuff in a Crawl Space
Anyone with a basement appreciates the advantage of its storage capabilities. But what if your home was built with the less-convenient crawl space? This doesn't mean that you can't take advantage of the space beneath your own house. The benefits of storage are available to you as well. With a little preparation and careful planning you can turn your crawl space into an efficient storage room. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine the crawl space's measurements either by measuring it for yourself, or looking at the house's blueprints. The most important measurement in this process is the depth of the crawl space---you'll need to know this specification when deciding how tall your storage units will be and how high you can stack them.
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Assess the environmental state of your crawl space. Is the floor dirt, and thus susceptible to a muddy mess on rainy days? Has the floor been lined with sand or stone? You'll need to know exactly what you're dealing with before beginning any serious planning.
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Prepare the crawl space for storage. The dampness found in just about any crawl space means that it would be a good idea to lay down a tarp or plastic sheeting of some kind before storing anything. At this point you should look for any significant leaks coming from the level above. Note these spots and avoid storing anything directly beneath them.
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Prepare your storage units. If you're using cardboard boxes, you'll want to line them with thin plastic sheeting before storing anything in them. While significantly more expensive, the better option is using sealable plastic storage bins. Whatever you decide to use, however, just use your best judgment to assure that the contents will be safe from direct leaks as well as ambient moisture.
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Organize and catalog the items that you'll be storing. The system used is entirely up to each individual and will vary and conform to each situation. Clearly labeling each box with its contents is a must, and will be helpful later on.
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Check up on the condition of the stored items and the crawl space itself every few weeks. Frequent observation and organization will keep your crawl space storage system at an optimal level.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't store boxes higher than two or three. Not only will you avoid the risk of toppling and damaging or spilling the contents, you'll also find it easier to locate items later on.
If you encounter significant mold or mildew either during your initial assessment, or at any time while using your crawl space for storage, you should consider hiring an inspector to determine the type and level of danger that these particular molds pose. House mold can be seriously detrimental to one's health and shouldn't be taken lightly.
