4 Reasons Why Crawl Space Inspections Are Important | Crawl Space | Waterproofing

4 Reasons Why Crawl Space Inspections Are Important

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NEGLECTED CRAWLSPACES

Neglected crawl spaces house a large number of harmful conditions for homes. In this line, nobody can enter a crawl space without proper personal protective equipment. In many crawl spaces we can find unpleasant surprises. It is because they are dark and cold environments that attract undesirable pests that foster dangerous conditions. When crawl spaces are unmonitored, hazards multiply over long periods.

INSPECTING A CRAWL SPACE

A crawl space is like a basement and ignoring it leads to sorts of problems and costly repairs. Although inspecting a crawl space is not a nice experience, it is the access for many essential installations such as wiring, plumbing, and heating-cooling systems.

HANTAVIRUS One of the major hazards posed by neglected crawl spaces is the likelihood of finding outbreaks of hantavirus. It is because rodents that carry the pathogen look for human-free areas. Also, crawl spaces are not affected by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can quickly remove this virus. Exposure to hantavirus can cause Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCS), characterized by headaches, fever, difficulty breathing, and even death. There is no known cure, vaccine, or treatment for hantavirus. However, if symptoms are recognized early, patients may receive oxygen therapy.

WATER/MOISTURE When you neglect your crawl space, the most likely thing is that it presents excess water and moisture and problems with mold and mildew. Water problems can also damage insulation and the wooden floor above the crawl space.

STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE In many cases, when the crawl space has been extremely neglected, the house can be unstable. Under this situation, entering the crawl space can be dangerous. You can easily step on a rusty nail or even crushed in an unstable crawl space.

Make sure someone else knows you are inspecting the crawl space before entering.

MOLD AND MILDEW ARE LIKE PESTS AND GROW RAPIDLY IN WET CRAWL SPACES. MOLD AND MILDEW CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND CONTRIBUTE TO WOOD DECAY. LIKEWISE, AIRBORNE MOLD SPORES CAN ENTER THE HOME FROM THE CRAWL SPACE. MOLDS PRODUCE ALLERGENS THAT CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC AND IRRITANT REACTIONS. INHALATION OR CONTACT WITH MOLD OR MOLD SPORES PRODUCES HEALTH ISSUES TO SENSITIVE PEOPLE. ALLERGIC REACTIONS CAN BE SNEEZING, A RUNNY NOSE, A RASH, AND OTHER DISCOMFORTS.

THANK YOU!

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