The Benefits of Crawl Space Inspections

When you purchase a new home, you’ll want to make sure that all of its nooks and crannies are as they should be. This means inspecting your crawl space. When you call a professional out to your home, you can make sure your crawl space is up to code. If it isn’t, you’ll be able to act quickly to protect the rest of your house.

The Benefits of a Crawl Space Inspection

When you take care of your crawl space, you take care of the rest of your home. That makes it all the more important to make sure your space isn’t leaking or otherwise damaged.

Professionals will be able to identify any problems you may have missed when first moving in. The benefits of an inspection are many and include uncovering issues such as:

• Insect infestations
• Excessive moisture
• Mold growth
• Foundation cracks
• Leftover asbestos or hazardous materials
• Bowing framework
• Failing vapor barriers
• Wiring malfunctions

When Should You Schedule Your Crawl Space Inspection?

There’s no specific date by which you need to have your crawl space inspected after moving into a new home. That said, you will need to schedule one at some point after purchasing a new space. You can base the immediate need for an inspection on the weather in the area you’re living in. For example, if there’s an exceptional amount of rain in the area, you may want your crawl space inspected sooner rather than later.

That said, if you spot any damage in your crawl space or home, you’ll want to get in touch with a professional. Some examples of obvious damage include:

• 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

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms are also indicative of problems with your foundation. You’ll need to call in a professional to determine whether it’s your foundation that’s causing you significant problems throughout your home or if the damage originates in your crawl space.

What Do Crawl Space Inspectors Do?

Crawl space inspections typically won’t take more than a few hours. The inspector will be able to walk you through the three different inspection phases. This way, you’ll know what your inspector is able to identify and what work your crawl space may need.

The three different inspection phases include:

• Early Inspections – Inspectors begin a crawl space inspection by looking at a crawl space’s entrance. There are code standards your crawl space entrance needs to meet if you want to pass your inspection. Your entrance needs to be at least two feet wide and 18 inches tall. If it isn’t, or if there is anything obstructing the entrance or making it difficult to use, you will fail your inspection. You’ll need to talk with the inspector on site about the steps you can take to make your entrance code compliant.
• Superficial Inspections – If an inspector can safely enter your crawl space, you’ll progress to the second phase of your inspection. Inspectors will take a look around your crawl space to determine if there’s anything immediately wrong. This means identifying mold clusters, water damage, or anything that may compromise the overall health of your home. If an inspector determines something is immediately wrong with your crawl space, you’ll fail your inspection. However, the inspector on site will be able to provide you with a free quote on potential services.
• Full Inspections – If there’s nothing immediately wrong with your crawl space, inspectors will begin to identify weak spots in your crawl space. This way, you’ll be able to discuss potential preventative measures to secure your home against future water damage.

Failing a crawl space inspection doesn’t mean your home isn’t habitable. Instead, the inspector you call out to your home will be able to walk you through potential solutions so you can prevent the spread of water damage in the future. Crawl space inspectors will provide you with a free quote for potential services after your inspection is completed.

Worried about the state of your crawl space, or want to get ahead of potential damage? Reach out to one of the professionals working in the Cleveland, OH, area ASAP.