Before the home inspectors crawl through the access point, they look in to check if any construction material or other hazards are visible. If there are exposed wires, stagnant water, or nails protruding, you fail the crawl space inspection immediately.
Crawl Space Inspection
Sealing, and More
Protecting The Air That We Breathe!
Despite what it may seem at first sight, your crawl space can be of immense use to you. The crawl space under your dwelling can give you better access to the electrical wiring, plumbing, and drains of the building. Also, you necessarily don’t have to leave the space unoccupied. It might seem absurd but you can convert the crawl space under your house into a storage unit.
Whatever your intentions regarding the space might be, getting a crawl space inspection is beneficial for the structural integrity of the building and its regular maintenance. If you are wondering what happens in a crawl space inspection, it is rather simple. Once you contact a service, they send over an expert to take a look around your crawl space and make an evaluation. Crawl space inspections can be done on your own but home inspectors, especially from Sealed Solution can make a better assessment and suggest the necessary changes to be made.
Why Should You Do a Crawlspace Inspection?
While the idea of crawling around in the space under your house or inviting someone to do it for you may seem unappealing, it must be done. Regular inspection of the crawl space can help you save lots of money from being spent on repairs and utilities.
That’s right, without regular inspection of the crawl space, your utility bill might keep climbing because of faulty wiring, the floors of the building may seem damp, you may even have trouble with mold and mildew. Neglected crawl spaces are more trouble than getting a home inspection. Carrying it out seasonally, just like you check the roof, attic, and gutter can make a big difference in the whole house.
What to Expect From the Inspection?
Expert home inspectors essentially break down a crawl space inspection into three parts. The first one is an entry, followed by a superficial evaluation and then a complete assessment. In these three parts, the expert will be able to inform you about the various changes you should make to the crawl space under your house.
Entry:
As the first part of the process, here the inspector looks over the point of entry to the crawl space. If it is not located in the right place according to the mandated laws, you are going to fail the inspection. Even if the access point is located in a safe place, if it is too small or large according to the laws, the crawl space evaluation need not be carried on.
Superficial Evaluation:
Complete Assessment:
If the previous steps went without a hitch, the inspector will crawl in, carry out a complete assessment of the space, and get you detailed information on how to make your crawl space better.
Things to Look for During a Crawl Space Inspection
If you are looking to sell or buy a place, inspecting the crawl space is especially important. Keep an eye out for the following when you are evaluating a crawl space:
Insulation
If there has been an incident of flooding, leaking pipes, or even standing water, the crawl space of your building is going to show water damage. This can seriously affect the space insulation and cause problems. So make sure that the insulation of your crawl space is not damp, compressed, or compromised in any way.
Pests and Rodents
It can be anything from termites to roaches depending on the state of the space. If you have a lot of moisture and woodwork that has not been protected, it is easy for termites to target your crawl space. Soon, the rotting wood will attract other pests and gradually they will find a way to infest your interiors as well. The rat or other rodent infestation will not be far away once the crawl space is compromised this way.
Mold
The presence of mold is actually an indication that there is a moisture problem. It can be exacerbated in case you don’t have a sealed crawl space or if it’s not encapsulated. Also, make sure that there are no other hazardous substances such as asbestos in the crawlspace.
Ventilation
Ensure that the vents in the crawl space are in working condition. Look out for anything that is blocking or can soon block the flow of air through the vents. Ask the expert on how to keep the vents clear for long periods as soon as possible. Also, check if there are any openings in the exterior walls due to damage and seal them before it attracts rodents into the vented crawl space.
Infrastructure
As a part of the inspection, make sure that the plumbing work of the building is intact. Stay alert for any wires that might be loose and secure all the HVAC ducts. If any wires or pipes are exposed, take the necessary steps to cover them up.