Crawl spaces were once very common, but they’re no longer used because modern homes are most often built on a solid foundation. If you own an old house with a crawl space, you might consider having it inspected. You can hire a professional to clean out the crawl space, replace any damaged insulation, repair leaky pipes, and install new vents. Professional crawl space cleaning services come with benefits that would require more work from you as a homeowner for a DIY project, as well as get the job done with industrial strength.
For example, they may use a specialized vacuum cleaner, remove an old or improperly installed vapor barrier, and encapsulate the crawl space to reduce the humidity levels within. Services like these will not only keep your crawl space in excellent condition once it’s cleaned, but they address moisture intrusion issues in general. You can receive services like these from professional waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation experts like our team here at PIERMAN.
Why Is This Important?
The crawl space was originally designed to raise a home off the ground so as to reduce flood damage. They are quite small, thus cleanliness is important to keep the environment from becoming cluttered quickly. We recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
What Exactly Is A Crawl Space?
As previously stated, crawl spaces are areas underneath homes where plumbing, gas lines, vents, and electrical wiring are located. These spaces can be accessed through an opening in the floor or ceiling. They are most often used for storage, insulation, and ventilation.
Mold can cause health problems for people who live in homes where it grows. It can make breathing difficult and cause coughing fits. It can also lead to allergies and asthma attacks. In addition, it can cause damage to furniture and belongings.
The majority of people visit the region at least once per year. Some people clean the region out every ten to twenty years, while others clean it out more often.
Typical Crawl Space Issues
Mold and fungus spread underwater. Molds and fungi thrive in the humidity and pollute the air the family breathes indoors. Animals build nests – Rats and many other animals can build nests here.
What Kind of Debris Removal Happens With Crawl Space Cleaning?
This step begins with cleaning up the mess in the crawl space before cleaning begins. This involves removing all trash from under the house, including:
Asbestos Insulation
If your property was built between 1900 and 1980, there is a risk that the ceiling tiles and insulation contain asbestos. If so, you should have them tested!
Damaged Vapor Barriers
These need to be repaired as they prevent soil moisture and the growth of mold and fungus.
Old Wood And Cardboard
This can rot or be a source of mold and should be removed.
Broken Pipes
You may see them in the crawl space and need to call an inspector to see if they cut a water line to the property. It will be difficult to tell if it is a water pipe from the floor below or a water pipe going to the wall.
Getting Rid Of Mold And Pests After A Crawl Space Cleanup
If you find white or black mold, it is important to remove it. This is potentially dangerous and our team of mold remediation experts can help. In addition, during a home inspection, an inspector will inspect the crawl space. If mold is discovered, he will take note of it. The specialist will search your crawl space looking for live insects or rodents, escape holes, shelters, signs of wood damage, pest droppings residues and nests.
Leakage Of Water
Since dirt and moisture are inextricably linked, shut off all water, air and sewer leaks. Air and water can enter through soil, walls, open vents, and leaking pipes. How did you find out? To determine if there is a leak, an infrared thermography inspection can be performed. It will help seal the vents and openings so that nothing can get in.
Repairing Defects
If you had to remove contaminated soil, be sure to bring back enough to avoid negative sorting. The last thing you need is water running through your house. Inspect foundations, shifting floors, cracks in walls and damage to insulation.
Cleaning With A Vacuum
Cleaners use a special vacuum to pick up dust and other particles, being careful not to stir up material that could cause cross-contamination in the home.
Waterproofing
This may also be necessary, and it involves making sure the water drains away from the house. If you don’t have gutters or downspouts, you’ll need to install them on the house to make sure water drains away from the house. An expert can advise you if you also need a sump pump or a drainage system.
When Should You Hire A Professional?
If you need help inspecting or cleaning the crawl space, call a professional. They have been trained in this area for inspection and can tell you what is wrong and how to fix it. Some things in life are best left to the professionals, and this is one of them.
Conclusion
Crawl spaces need to be kept clean to keep the air in your family healthy. The last thing you want is for animals to build nests under your house or for mold to grow.
If you are looking for a crawl space cleaning professional, contact us today at (580) 453-0330 at PIERMAN Foundation Repair.
