Should You Invest In A Crawl Space Inspection?

Your crawl space is one of the most sensitive spots in your home. If you don’t keep an eye on it, it can rapidly become a source of not only water damage but insects, animals, and other problems throughout your home.

Crawl space inspections allow professionals with experience in maintaining these spaces to look over your space and identify any potential weak points. But is an inspection really worth the time and money?

Why Should You Have Your Crawl Space Inspected?

Whether you’re purchasing your first home or moving to a new area, you’re going to want to take care of your budget. Why can’t you knock a crawl space inspection off of your to-do list?

Unfortunately, your crawl space can begin to suffer from near-invisible damage if you don’t take care of it. A professional inspector will be able to assess your crawl space and keep an eye out for:

• Infestations
• Moisture
• Mold clusters
• Wiring malfunctions
• Foundation cracks
• The presence of asbestos or other unhealthy materials
• Framing problems
• Ventilation problems
• Vapor barrier damage

When Should You Have Your Crawl Space Inspected?

There is no specific time in your home’s life when you need to have your crawl space inspected. Rather, you should determine when you want to invite an inspector into your home based on your own concerns.

Ask yourself: Has it been raining heavily in your area? Have you been smelling something musty throughout your home? Have you just moved into a new space? These reasons and more are cause enough for you to invite an inspector out to your property.

That said, your home will let you know when a more thorough crawl space inspection may be necessary. You’ll want to get in touch with your local professionals 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

Everything on the aforementioned list is a sign of crawl space damage. If you notice any of these throughout your home, you’ll need to get in touch with a crawl space repair contractor before any damage can spread.

What Does A Crawl Space Inspection Involve?

The inspector you call in to look over your crawl space will break the process down into three parts: entry, superficial, and full inspection:

• Entry Inspection

Before professionals can inspect the whole of your crawl space, they’re going to need to look over your crawl space’s entrance. These entry points need to be wide enough for a person to comfortably enter. If an inspector can’t safely get inside your crawl space, your space will fail its inspection, and you’ll need to talk to a contractor about widening or otherwise reinforcing your entrance. According to national law, all crawl space entry points need to be at least two feet wide and 18 inches tall.

• Superficial Inspection 

If your entry point is wide enough, inspectors can begin a more thorough investigation of your entire crawl space. Initially, they’ll glance over the space to determine if there’s anything obviously wrong with it. This means looking for mold clusters, exposed wiring, standing water, any vapor barrier issues, and so on. If inspectors can identify something wrong with your crawl space during this superficial investigation, then you’ll be able to discuss potential fixes with your local contractor.

• Full Assessment 

Finally, if there’s nothing immediately wrong with your crawl space, then the inspector you call in will dive into the nooks and crannies of your space. This means inspecting not only the trouble areas in your crawl space but also any waterproofing measures you’ve previously had put into place. 

Failing a crawl space inspection isn’t like failing an exam at school. You’re not going to be punished for it. You will, however, be expected to fix any problems discovered within your crawl space, as these issues can compromise the overall health of your home. Luckily, you’ll be able to work with the contractors in the DC area to ensure you get your space up to code.

Don’t let the care and keeping of your crawl space fall to the wayside. Reach out to a professional in the DC area today for an inspection. Should your crawl space need repairs or updates, the professionals you call on will be able to provide you with a free quote on potential services.