How to Get Your Crawl Space Ready for Winter

Emily Fazio
·3 min read
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As winter weather rolls in, consider how your entire home will react. Great insulation throughout your home makes a huge difference, but the basement crawl space is often overlooked.

Winterizing the basement crawl space helps to ensure it remains cozy, energy-efficient, and well-protected against cold temperatures and bad weather.

Benefits of Winterization Include:

  • Improve HVAC energy efficiency

  • Promote moisture control

  • Reduce heating costs

  • Prevent frozen pipes

  • Improve indoor air quality

  • Reduce mold and mildew

  • Increase indoor comfort

  • Eliminate cold floors

  • Energy cost savings

Just like other areas of your home, inadequate insulation during cold weather leads to air leaks, mold growth on floor joists, wet floors, frozen water lines, and high heating bills. Keep the living area comfortable by following these tips.

Related: How to Insulate Your Basement Rim Joists

Inspect for Moisture and Water Issues

Before winter sets in, inspect the area beneath your home for signs of moisture. Look for standing water, leaks, or general dampness on the ground and on the crawl space foundation walls. If you have existing insulation (whether it's fiberglass or rigid foam insulation), check for signs of mold caused by excessive moisture. Replacing insulation and adding vapor barriers can help reduce mold growth and potential damage.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for a healthy crawl space. Check that air vents are clear of debris and open to allow air circulation. Note that in extremely cold climates, closing crawl space vents during winter months may be advisable to prevent pipes from freezing.

Improve Crawl Space Sealing

Crawl spaces can be entry points for pests seeking warmth in the winter. Inspect and seal any potential openings, including gaps around pipes, damaged crawl space vent covers, and the seal around the crawl space door. A flexible sealant or weatherproofing strips can help.

Add Proper Insulation

Insulating your crawl space is a key step in preparing for winter. It helps regulate temperatures, prevents drafts, and reduces energy costs.

  • A closed-cell foam insulation kit creates a moisture-resistant barrier that can also boost your home's structural integrity.

  • Add traditional fiberglass insulation on the crawl space ceiling. Subfloor insulation (as well as rim joist insulation) helps to keep the floors in your house warm by reducing drafts. Spray foam insulation also creates a draft-free environment, but it's more expensive.

  • Rigid foam board is great for crawl space walls. It makes a big difference in an uninsulated basement.

Look for Uninsulated Pipes

Frozen pipes can lead to expensive repairs. Inspect your crawl space pipes and insulate them using tubular foam pipe insulation or heat tape. This simple step can prevent water pipes from freezing and bursting during cold spells.

Related: 10 Benefits of Insulating Your Basement Crawl Space

Encapsulate the Crawl Space

Consider encapsulating your crawl space to create a moisture barrier. Basement waterproofing involves covering the ground with a vapor barrier and sealing the crawl space walls. Encapsulation helps control moisture levels, prevents mold growth, and improves indoor air quality.

Install a Dehumidifier

If your crawl space tends to be damp, even after addressing other moisture issues, consider installing a dehumidifier. This can help maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing mold and mildew growth.

Make Sure Your Sump Pump Works

Make sure your sump pump works. Test the pump and clear any debris that might prevent it from removing water from your crawl space if it floods. Standing water can lead to many problems in a crawl space.

Repair Foundation Cracks

Inspect the crawl space walls for any cracks or damage to the foundation. Foundation repair can be as simple as sealing cracks to prevent cold air from entering, but if you find damage that might compromise the structural integrity of your home, reach out to an experienced professional.

Monitor the Crawl Space


Throughout the winter, periodically check the crawl space for any signs of issues. Look for changes in moisture levels, especially if it has been especially rainy or the snow melts overnight. Also, check for pest activity, or any damage that may have occurred. Regular monitoring allows you to address problems before they escalate.