A crawl space is an important part of a building. This is where the plumbing, gas lines, electrical cables and duct work often run. When a home has been raised a few feet off the ground, a crawl space is automatically created. Unfortunately, many homeowners often fail to inspect the crawl spaces underneath their homes. When inspecting your home, you should never forget to inspect the crawl space. After all, it does not make sense to inspect the roof, gutters, basement and other parts of the house, but fail to check what is underneath the floor.
It is important to note that leaving off the crawl space inspection can lead to serious problems in your home. For instance, the floor of your home may be weakened due to excessive humidity underneath the floor. Mold and mildew may also start growing on your property. Below are some of the things to watch out for during a crawl space inspection:
1. Rodents
During winter, the crawl space in your home will be much warmer than the surroundings. As a result, rats, squirrels, raccoons and mice can make the crawl space their home. Since these rodents are known to reproduce fast, they will quickly form an army that can eat and damage your insulation, electrical wiring and PVC pipes. That is why you need to inspect and maintain the crawl space regularly.
2. High Humidity
Excess moisture in the crawl space will allow mold to grow in the crawl space. If you notice excessive humidity or mold in the crawl space during inspection, be sure to check your plumbing for any leaks. Please note that the high humidity in the crawl space can lead to water damage, which can compromise the wooden supports of the building and the insulation material.
3. Pests
If you notice a lot of roaches, termites or other types of pests in the crawl space, you should act fast to ensure the termites do not destroy the wooden supports and floor. Performing a thorough crawl space inspection prevents your home from becoming infested.
Depending on what you discover during your crawl space inspection, you should hire a pest exterminator and fix any water leaks that may have caused the water damage. Be sure to also replace damaged insulation and fix damaged PVC pipes and electrical wires. It would be best to hire an expert to inspect your home if you do not know how to do it.