Whether you’re moving somewhere new or renovating your family home, you need to take care of your crawl space. Who better to help you get started than a professional crawl space contractor? Crawl space contractors will walk you through an initial crawl space inspection so you can determine how much money you’ll need to set aside for future – or immediate – repairs.
Why Should You Have Your Crawl Space Inspected?
Why are crawl space inspections important? Because they protect your home from significant structural damage. Professional crawl space inspectors can identify problems with your home, including:
- Insect infestations
- Moisture
- Mold clusters
- Wiring malfunctions
- Foundation cracks
- The presence of asbestos or other unhealthy materials
- Framing problems
- Ventilation
- Vapor barrier damage
When Should You Have Your Crawl Space Inspected?
When you move into a new home, you’re typically faced with an expansive to-do list. The basic amenities may need to be repaired, you’ll need to unpack, and if any appliances are missing, you’ll need to have them replaced.
In the midst of all of this movement, it’s easy to forget about your crawl space. This isn’t a good thing, but it’s not the end of the world, either. There is no set time by which you’ll need to have your crawl space inspected. Usually, you can get away without having your crawl space inspected for at least three months after you’ve moved into a new space.
That said, you’ll want to keep an eye on your surroundings when determining whether or not to reach out to an inspector. If you’re going through a rain-heavy spring or you’re sensing something off about your home, there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for a professional opinion.
There are times when it’s all but essential to get in touch with an inspector. You’ll want to schedule an inspection if you notice any of the following:
- Warping door frames
- Misted windows
- Unpleasant smells throughout your home
- Higher water or electric bills than usual
- Decreased water pressure throughout your home
- Insects or unwanted animal invaders
What makes these quirks special? They’re all signs of crawl space damage. If left unattended, these symptoms can evolve into severe structural damage throughout your home. Inspectors can catch this damage early and help you save on repairs.
What Does A Crawl Space Inspection Involve?
Worried about what an inspector will get up to while inspecting your crawl space? There’s no need to fret. Most inspectors break their exploratory process down into the following three steps:
Entry Inspection. A crawl space inspection doesn’t start in your crawl space. Instead, inspectors will need to look over your entry point before moving inside. For a crawl space’s entry point to pass muster, it must be a minimum of two feet wide and 18 inches tall. If your crawl space is on the smaller side or otherwise appears to have been damaged or compromised, then your inspector will recommend that you have it repaired, regardless of the state of the rest of your crawl space.
Superficial Inspection. If an inspector determines that it’s safe to enter your crawl space, then he’ll perform a superficial inspection of the space as a whole. During this inspection, your inspector will look out for obvious signs of wear and tear. This means standing water, mold clusters, a damaged vapor barrier, and so on. If an inspector finds anything wrong with your crawl space during this phase of the inspection, he’ll be able to provide you with a free quote on potential services before inspecting for structural damage.
Full Assessment. After an inspector has identified any glaringly obvious problems with your crawl space, he’ll take a closer look at the space’s bones. This way, both you and the inspector can determine whether or not your crawl space is structurally sound. Similarly, an inspector will be able to identify potential problem areas for you to reinforce.
If you fail a crawl space inspection, don’t panic! You can talk to the inspector you already have on-site about potential fixes for any problems he’s discovered. You will have to fix these problems relatively quickly. If you leave your crawl space uncared for, the damage within can begin to impact the health of the rest of your home.
Luckily, the contractors working out of the Indianapolis, IN, area will be there to guide you through the repair process. As mentioned, most contractors and inspectors will be able to provide you with a free quote on potential services after your initial inspection. With this action plan in place, you can start improving the health of your crawl space and, subsequently, your home.
