Most homes in our area have basements. However, your home may have a full or partial crawl space. Crawl spaces were popular from the 1950s into the 1960s in areas that have a high water table or are prone to occasional flooding. We also find them during home inspections of homes that have built an addition.
A crawl space with a dirt floor, debris, and old insulation
What is a crawl space?
The crawl space is that area underneath your home between the bottom of the floor joists and the ground. Your crawlspace usually has ventilation, plumbing, gas hookups, HVAC ductwork, electrical wiring, and components. If you live in a rural area, there may be a pressure tank for your well. The crawl space allows access to these features of your home.
Why is a clean crawl space important?
The crawl space under your home is designed to elevate your home to avoid potential flooding. Typically, a crawl space will be anywhere from 18 inches to 2–3 feet deep in an older home. Keep in mind that entering your crawl space may be uncomfortable and cramped. Excess debris and moisture can be potentially dangerous. If you are uncomfortable entering your crawl space, you may want to hire a professional.
Keeping your crawl space clean and dry is important. Below are some things to consider if your home has a crawl space. If you have had a home inspection, your home inspector may have commented on one or more of the following:
Excess debris: If there has been work performed in your crawl space, sometimes the person doing the work leaves scrap wood, plumbing, wiring, and insulation that is not used lying in the crawl space.
Pests: Look for indications of rodents, snakes, or other small animals in your crawl space. If you see “eye shine,” you should leave the crawl space and call an exterminator. There is something bigger in your crawl space that needs to be trapped or otherwise removed.
Mold: If the crawl space is continually wet, there may be mold issues. Your crawl space must be dry and ventilated.
Water leaks: Many homes built back in the day had galvanized and cast-iron drain and sewer lines. Over time, these materials may pit and deteriorate, resulting in leaks that go undetected.
Standing water: Any standing water should be resolved and its source determined. There may be a need to add a sump basket and pump as well as landscaping to deter water from entering your crawlspace.
Damaged vapor barrier: Some crawl spaces have a vapor barrier. This barrier helps keep moisture in the ground from entering the crawl space. If the vapor barrier is torn, damaged, or deteriorated, it should be removed or replaced.
Environmental hazards
If there is ductwork in your crawl space, the air quality of your home may be affected. You can do mold testing to determine if mold is present. If it is, you need to get it resolved as soon as possible. If there are pests or rodents living in the crawl space, they need to be removed and their point of entry repaired. You may also want to have your home tested for radon.
Measuring the moisture content of moldy, deteriorated wood
Inspecting and cleaning your crawl space
If you are a DIY kind of person, you may want to take on cleaning your crawl space by yourself. If so, you will want to make sure that you have the proper personal protective equipment, such as a Tyvek crawl suit, disposable rubber gloves, a headlight, and a respirator mask.
Start at the far end and work your way towards the crawl space access. Make sure to have something to collect the debris in, such as a plastic sled or a big sheet of plastic. Don't go too big, as you will need to get anything collected through your attic access.
Also, make sure to look for signs of any of the issues listed earlier in this article. Pests, mold, water leaks, and standing water should be dealt with promptly. If you are uncomfortable with resolving any of these issues, you may want to hire a professional.
Summary
A clean crawl space, although very seldom seen, is important to your family's health and safety. Use caution and make sure that you are safe if you are going to enter a crawl space. Our home inspectors at HomePro Inspections will not enter crawl spaces that may pose a safety issue.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained to inspect all areas of the home. Any issues found are documented in your home inspection report and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942 or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.