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What To Expect During A Crawlspace Inspection

What To Expect During A Crawlspace Inspection

You probably don’t want to think about the crawlspace in your home—you know, that dark, creepy area between the soil and the first floor. When your home is built, the crawlspace is left to provide access to the plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. When your home is inspected, the crawlspace is a really important part of that inspection.

Crawlspaces Are Out of Sight, Out of Mind

The majority of homeowners never access the crawlspace in their home. Let’s face it—the crawlspace is out of sight, out of mind. That’s why homeowners don’t know whether they have an issue. Inspectors regularly see all kinds of issues—structural, leaks, mold, critters—all kinds of things.

Issues Found During Crawlspace Inspections

It’s important to know that crawlspaces are common problem areas in a home inspection report. These areas are often poorly designed and constructed, and because they house plumbing, often have moisture issues. Here are a few issues we frequently see:
  • Insufficient support structure
  • Inadequate insulation
  • Improper ventilation
  • Rotted wood
  • Mold
  • Missing moisture barrier
  • Wet crawlspace
  • Rodents, snakes, spiders and other assorted pests

What Happens During A Crawlspace Inspection

Fortunately, most crawlspace issues are actually easy to remedy and bring up to code. During our inspection, we will navigate the entire interior and check for all of these things—condensation, standing water, condensation and all other issues. We take digital pictures and make detailed measurements using our laser technology. We go back to the office, assemble a report, and then meet with you as the homeowner or buyer to detail the problems and present the solutions. We often will present multiple solutions for single problem, to fit your budget. Most often, we find moisture issues. In fact, most homeowners will experience a crawlspace moisture issue at some point during the life of the home. It’s pretty much inevitable. All sorts of things can cause this moisture—cracks in your foundation, lack of a moisture barrier, poorly graded soil which allows water to poor into your home, or a plumbing leak. When that moisture persists day in and day out, that ever-present dampness under the wood floor structure of your home can create rotted damaged wood and is a haven for mold formation. And all that moisture is bound to attract pests of all kinds. Over time, that moisture can cause extensive damage if the problem is not addressed. Don’t wait until the damage gets really expensive. Give RCS a call today.

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Tips To Protect Your Home From Disasters

Tips To Protect Your Home From Disasters

There’s never a good time for a disaster to strike your home. You can, however, be prepared for when the unexpected happens. Here are action steps you can take now to better protect your home from disasters.

Routine Maintenance

When it comes to fire damage, most fires are caused by electrical malfunctions. Prevent fires from ever happening by making sure all electrical cords are in excellent condition. This is one thing duct tape can’t fix.  If you have exposed wires, call an electrician to take care of the problem. Additionally, check to make sure all major appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets and not power strips or extension cords. For smaller electronics, invest in power strips that have surge protection. Get your roof inspected regularly to insure that your roof is in excellent condition before bad weather hits. Keep your trees properly trimmed. Make sure branches are not hanging precariously over your roof.  Keep your gutters clean as they help prevent foundation issues caused by oversaturation. Regularly check for leaks in your pipes. If there’s a leak, call a plumber to take care of it. A little leak can cause a lot of damage over time. If you will be away from your home for an extended period of time, consider shutting your water off altogether and draining the water present in the pipes. You can also invest in covers for outdoor faucets and tube pipe insulation for exposed pipes inside of the home. Both are handy for preventing pipes from bursting due to frigid conditions.

Be Prepared

No matter how well you maintain your home, disaster can strike. Here are a few supplies and strategies to have on hand when those happen:
  1. Have a water and fire-proof safe for important documents.
  2. Know where the main water valve is for your home and how to properly shut it off.  There’s nothing like coming home to water flowing from a burst pipe. It would be even worse if you didn’t know how to take care of it.
  3. Invest in a wet/dry vacuum. Having one of these on hand in the event of flooding decreases the chance of damage and mold. You’ll want to get to work right away pulling the water out of your home.
No one wants a disaster but there are ways to lessen the effects. If you keep your home properly maintained and have a few tools on hand when disaster comes knocking on your door, you’ll be prepared.

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