Don’t wait for your crawl space to pile up with debris, remnants of pests and rodents, or ignore cracks, leaks, and mold. Failing to maintain your home’s crawl space can lead to costly and unwanted repairs and cleaning charges from a professional. There are basic things you can do yourself to keep the space clean and to maintain it in order to avoid something more disastrous in the future.
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose of a Crawl Space | Importance and utilities housed, like plumbing, ventilation, and electrical components. |
| Problems of Poor Maintenance | Issues like mold, rodent infestation, water accumulation, and increased heating/cooling bills. |
| DIY Cleaning Tips | Preparation and maintenance steps including wearing proper gear, cleaning, and identifying issues. |
What is the Purpose of a Crawl Space?
Not all homes have a crawl space; typically if you have a basement, you will not have one. Important things are located in this area, which include plumbing, ventilation, or electrical components as well as gas hookups. These each need to be easily accessible in case they need to be repaired or replaced. Having a crawl space also helps with air circulation within the home, therefore having a clean and well-maintained space is necessary.
The Typical Problems of Having a Poorly Maintained Crawl Space
Not regularly checking, cleaning, and maintaining your home’s crawl space can have both small and large consequences. Here are several potential ones:
- Development of mold, mildew, and/or wood rot
- Infestation of rodents and/or insects
- Development of standing water and/or sewage
- Discovery of asbestos
- Poor indoor air quality
- Development of standing water or sewage
- Increased heating or cooling bills
DIY Crawl Space Cleaning Tips
To prepare:
- Wear a dust mask, heavy-duty gloves, pants, long-sleeved shirt, and preferably knee and elbow pads
- Wear a headlamp instead of bringing a flashlight so that your hands will be free
- Go down and scan the area to see what you’re dealing with
- Get reinforcement (a friend/family member) if necessary
- Bring a bucket, trash bag, etc. to be able to discard unwanted items
- Bring any tools that you may need
To clean/maintain:
- Keep air flow going by installing vent fans in your crawl space; this will help decrease moisture and condensation buildup.
- Install 6 mil plastic sheeting to cover the entire space.
- Apply a wood preservative and fungicide after scrubbing the area down with a wire brush in order to stave off any rot or fungus.
- Identify any dampness; depending on your experience, capability, and severity of issue, you may need to hire a professional in order to fix the source, although basic cracks, holes, or gaps can be fixed by any novice. If you are wanting the entire crawl space sealed off, you’ll more than likely need to call someone, as there are specific materials involved.
- If you find a nest down underneath, call an animal rescue to have them safely remove it. You do not want critters reproducing or calling that area home.
Don’t wait until something terribly inconvenient happens; be proactive and take charge by properly cleaning and maintaining your crawl space. To learn more, there are many articles and DIY videos out there to teach the exact steps in order to encapsulate, line, insulate, clean, and maintain your crawl space.
If you are unsure, always get a professional opinion. Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. can take care of you and your crawl space, so don’t hesitate to contact them! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.