When many homeowners think of their home’s crawlspace, they envision a cramped, dark, dirty area under their home that they would rather not think about at all. However unappealing your vision of them is, crawlspaces are an integral part of your home’s structural integrity. Getting a routine crawlspace inspection helps prevent big problems from arising from that small space under your house.
When conducting a crawlspace inspection, experts look for these potential problems:
- Mold – Crawlspaces are ideal spots for fungal growth thanks to their dark and damp environment. The presence of mold or rot can affect the integrity of the home and cause health hazards for you and your family.
- Excess moisture – Even if mold is not present in your crawlspace, experts will look for signs of excessive moisture like standing water or high humidity levels. Excess moisture can be a precursor to mold or rot and could also alert the inspector to a leak that could be causing other problems.
- Pests and critters – Crawlspaces can be an oasis for termites, mice, and other pests. When conducting a crawlspace inspection, an expert will look for droppings, nests, and other signs of an infestation.
- Structural integrity – Sagging floors, rotting wood, or cracks in the foundation are just some of the signs of structural deterioration that professionals look for during a crawlspace inspection. Fixing these issues is crucial to the integrity of your home, and early detection through routine inspections is well worth it in the long run.
You don’t have to frequent your crawlspace to keep your home happy and healthy. Just schedule a routine crawlspace inspection and let a professional uncover any warning signs before they turn into bigger problems.