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Rigid foam board insulation is one of the safest insulation materials for basement walls. The panels offer a moisture barrier to prevent mold and mildew build-up. At the same time, this material is also fire-resistant, so you don’t have to worry as much about a fire breaking out as you would with spray foam insulation. 

In most cases, it is safe to live in a home with minor foundation problems, but you should not let the issues persist. Virtually all foundations have small cracks from normal settlement, which are not a structural concern but should be sealed to prevent water intrusion. However, major damage—such as large structural cracks, sinking foundations, or bulging walls—can make a home unsafe. Other issues that can pose safety and health risks include poor indoor air quality from mold or pests, uneven floors, and rotten beams or joists. It is always best to have a foundation repair expert or structural engineer inspect any issues to determine if your home is safe to live in.

Plan on cleaning your crawl space at least once a year, though twice a year is ideal. During the cleaning, remove any debris or dust and check for potential issues like pest infestations or water damage. The sooner you catch these issues, the easier (and cheaper) it will be to fix them.

Yes, crawl spaces can attract bugs, especially since moisture tends to build up in the space, and moisture attracts pests. A good way to prevent pest infestation in your crawl space is to install a vapor barrier—called crawl space encapsulation—on the interior to seal the space, along with a French drain or some other kind of foundation drainage system outside to keep runoff out of your crawl space. You can also seal foundation cracks and repair damages to cut off access to pests.