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Crawlspace Cleaning and Maintenance

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You can definitely tell it’s spring by the sight of all the yard debris left behind during all those wet, chilly months spent indoors.

While making a plan for yard cleanup this spring in Sonoma County, don’t forget the importance of cleaning your crawlspace under your home.

Here’s what to check and include on your crawlspace cleaning and maintenance list.

Inspection

After enduring the cold, wet, rainy season, your crawlspace needs a thorough inspection for areas of cleanup.

Here’s what to check for:

  • Dirt, yard debris
  • Garbage
  • Leaks
  • Pooling water
  • Excessive dampness, humidity
  • Evidence of rodents and pests (droppings, nests, piles of food)
  • Mold
  • Damaged or missing insulation, vapor barrier
  • Wood rot or damage
  • Plumbing, electrical supply damage

Basic Cleaning

It’s important to clean up your crawlspace because the presence of toxic rodent droppings, excessive dampness, and mold contaminates the air that filtrates directly into your home.

Once inside, the contaminated air flows throughout your home where you and everyone living there breathes it in. This is dangerous for anyone suffering from allergies, asthma, or other upper respiratory health issues.

One of the worst dampness-driven health concerns is the development of active mold. Mold causes all sorts of serious health problems for anyone allergic or sensitive to the effects of breathing in mold or airborne mold spores.

For basic cleaning, remove all garbage and yard debris, in addition to noting all signs of damage or rodent infestation.

Schedule a Professional Inspection and Cleaning

Because thorough cleaning of a crawlspace involves cleaning mold, toxic rodent droppings, and other potentially hazardous issues, it’s best to call in a professional crawlspace cleanup and mold removal service.

This professional once-a-year cleaning ensures your crawlspace will be thoroughly cleaned for safe air quality and improved energy efficiency in your home.

The pros can take care of identifying and repairing moisture and water sources causing excessive humidity and dampness. They will also remove the unhealthy elements that accumulated over the past few months including rodent infestation droppings and mold.

The next step is for them to completely dry out the area before installing or repairing insulation or vapor barriers to keep the crawlspace dry and watertight.

Conclusion

Because the air circulating in your crawlspace ultimately makes its way into your home, cleaning it has got to be at the top of the list for home maintenance this spring.

For thorough inspection, cleaning, and restoration of your crawlspace, schedule your appointment today with RCS in Santa Rosa.

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Is Your Crawlspace Contaminated?

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Odds are, you probably don’t spend a whole lot of time in your crawlspace. 

But if you find yourself sneezing, coughing or noticing a musty smell coming from an unknown source, it’s time to check out your crawlspace for contamination.

How Crawlspaces Become Contaminated

There are several ways your crawlspace may become contaminated:

  • Insufficient Insulation

Over 1/3 of your indoor air rises up through the crawlspace. If the crawlspace is not properly insulated, expect to pay higher energy bills. Non-insulated spaces also tend to attract more insects, rodents and mold.

  • Improper or Missing Vapor Barrier

Since vapor barriers protect from excess moisture and humidity, they significantly decrease the odds of mold growth. Vapor barriers also provide protection from insects and rodents, while keeping indoor temperatures more stable and comfortable.

  • Excessive moisture, humidity, and/or water
  • Condensation on plumbing pipes
  • Insufficient vents and air circulation
  • Rodent excrement, nests, or infestations 

Signs of a Contaminated Crawlspace

When checking your crawlspace, look for these signs for what could result in potential contamination:

  • Visual inspection for damaged or missing insulation, vents, or vapor barrier
  • Damage to wooden joists, structural or support beams
  • Rodent damage caused by chewing through electrical lines or insulation
  • Standing pools of water
  • Visible mold
  • No encapsulation of a dirt floor crawlspace

Negative Effects of a Contaminated Crawlspace

As long as the crawlspace goes unchecked or stays as is, the odds of contamination increase. 

Here are some of the negative effects of a contaminated crawlspace:

Poor Air Quality

Since air from the crawlspace rises up and into your home, breathing in air particles containing dried rodent excrement or mold spores and mycotoxins on wooden beams, walls or the crawlspace ceiling can cause or aggravate existing health conditions such as asthma or allergies. The air can literally make you sick.

Higher Energy Costs

If your crawlspace lacks adequate insulation, you’re losing money every month on your heating and/or cooling bills. The furnace and air conditioner have to work longer and harder to keep your home comfortable due to conditioned air escaping through the crawlspace.

Structural Damage Inside the Home

If mold and water damage the ceiling of your crawlspace, it will eventually affect the integrity of your home’s subfloor and flooring above.

Additionally, damage to wooden support beams and posts compromise the very foundation of your home.

Rodent Damage

From using insulation for a nest to chewing through electrical wires to leaving behind urine and feces, critter proofing and protecting your crawlspace as much as possible helps keep rodent residency and destruction to a minimum.

Conclusion

To prevent the damage and negative impact of a contaminated crawlspace, take a look to see what’s going on down there.

If you spot problems with insulation, structure, water, mold, or any other potential contamination factors, don’t hesitate to bring in professionals.

To identify and eliminate contamination and restore your crawlspace to a clean, healthy condition, call the crawlspace cleanup experts at RCS to schedule an inspection today.

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Pests in Your Crawlspace

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If not properly insulated, dry and protected, crawlspaces attract all kinds of pests and rodents.

Find out what to watch for and how to prevent a pest infestation in your crawlspace.

What Types of Pests Invade Crawlspaces

Primarily, moist, humid conditions attract all kinds of pests and rodents and encourage them to take up residence in your crawlspace.

Here are some of the most common invaders:

  • Spiders
  • Cockroaches
  • Earwigs
  • Silverfish
  • Spiders
  • Snakes
  • Mice
  • Rats

While some of these pests are harmless, some of them are destructive, spread disease and can destroy structural elements of your home.

Pest droppings and rodent feces and urine emit foul odors and release airborne viruses into air circulating throughout your home.

Rodents and pests like mice and termites chew through insulation and wood.

Bigger destructive rodents like possums, skunks and raccoons may also settle in. These larger rodents increase the risk of spreading disease, rabies, viruses and tick or flea infestations. If they choose your crawlspace as a nesting place, the babies may attract even more wild predators.

Signs of a Pest Infestation

Inspect your crawlspace seasonaly and keep an eye out for signs of unwelcome pests and rodents. Always wear a mask during inspections to avoid inhaling nasty fumes and dust.

Here are some of the common signs of a pest invasion in your crawlspace:

Foul Odors

Urine, feces and other fluid secretions can leave behind foul, pungent odors.

Droppings

Droppings are usually small, but typically hard and dry.

Bite or Chew Marks

Inspect the space for chew marks or damage, especially to wood.

Shredded Insulation

Rodents love using insulation for warmth, to keep dry and especially to line their nests. Other signs of nesting are piles of sticks, brush or twigs.

Burrowing Holes

Watch for signs of burrowing such as holes dug in the ground where rodents head underground for protection or warmth.

What Attracts Pests to a Crawlspace

Here are some of the things that attracts pests and rodents to your crawlspace:

  • Damp, musty conditions.
  • Cracks and holes in crawlspace walls.
  • Overgrown shrubs, bushes or brush.
  • Rotting wood.
  • Garbage or storage of containers holding crumbs (like a cooler).

Conclusion

Breathing in pest-infested air coming from your crawl space is neither pleasant nor healthy.

For solutions to keep your crawlspace dry and free from pests, contact the professionals at RCS in Santa Rosa. We offer tried and true solutions to eliminate pests and improve air quality in your home.

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Defending Your Crawl Space Against Rodent Infestation

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Finding evidence of rodent infestation in your home can be alarming, especially when you realize the many points of entry there might be. One place you might consider checking first is the crawl space beneath your house. Rodents can create a variety of issues affecting you and your family if the problem is not quickly and effectively resolved.

How rodents get in

Mice can squeeze into spaces as small as ½ an inch in search of shelter or food. Once inside, they can breed and travel throughout your home if the environment allows. Their presence in your home can heighten the effects of asthma and allergies for those who suffer with such conditions. Rodents can also carry rabies and other diseases that can be harmful to everyone who enters your home. Crawl space vents, or anywhere doors, windows, or exterior walls are located, can be possible points of entry for these pesky creatures. Be sure to seal off such areas

What attracts rodents?

Obviously, food is attractive to rodents. Unsealed food or that which has been left unrefrigerated can seem like an open invitation to rodents. They can even pick up the scent of pet food, and they can work their way into the area where it is stored or exposed. Rodents have a very well developed sense of smell, so the slightest scent of food in garbage cans will surely cause them to seek out the origins. Be diligent about removing garbage that is in or around your home, and make sure receptacles are well covered. Landscaping, overgrown brush, standing water, or discarded wood items can attract rats and mice as well. Make sure that any landscaping around your home is well kept so that rodents can’t conceal themselves. Rainwater may collect near property that is not effectively guttered, and it can be very attractive to rats and mice. A professional crawl space cleaning may be required to correct any issues you are already having.

Other issues rodents can create

If rodents get into your crawl space, they can chew through wires, leaving them exposed to moisture and causing hazardous conditions. Covering any possible entry points in your space with metal can keep them out because they can’t chew through metal. It will also allow air to still flow through properly. However, getting professional help with sealing off your crawl space is the best advice. An expert can also adequately inspect and address any issues with insulation in the space and help prevent them from having a nesting area.

Final thoughts

If rodents get into your crawl space or other areas in your home, it’s likely due to improper or unsealed ventilation. Cracks or gaps near doors and windows are also easy access points for them. Be sure to keep food away from your crawl space, and keep it properly covered and stored inside your home. Eliminate unnecessary brush or old wood around your house. Moisture control is also key in keeping your home rodent free, so think about installing vapor barriers. If you find evidence that your home’s crawl space is already infested, contact the experts in Santa Rosa, CA at Restoration Certified Specialists today to discuss a clean-up today.

4 Steps To Cleaning Your Homes Crawlspace

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If your house does not have a cellar or basement, then, more likely than not, you have a crawlspace. In fact, even if you do have one of these structures, you probably still have a crawlspace. These often small, crowded sub-rooms allow homeowners to reach the pipes and other internal structures of their homes. Some homeowners even use their crawlspaces for storage. Like any other part of your home, it’s important to clean your crawlspace – even if it’s only twice a year. Most homeowners don’t know how to properly clean their crawlspace, and if you’re one of them, don’t fret! Here are the top 4 steps for cleaning your home’s crawlspace.

Put Your Safety First

Before you even enter your crawlspace, you need to make sure that you are being as safe as possible. Crawlspace are usually not properly ventilated, so a dust mask should be worn at all times. You may also have debris and dangerous objects like nails under your home, so knee pads and thick gloves are recommended.

Remove Debris and Objects

The first step to cleaning your home’s crawlspace is to remove any debris that may be left over from construction or any objects you have been storing there. If needed, you can return the items afterward, but it is important to move them often to prevent mold from growing.
Never store cardboard in the crawlspace of your home, though, because it can also cause mold. You may find small animal carcasses, such as rabbits, squirrels, or other small rodents. These can contain diseases, so use precaution when removing them. Once you have cleared the crawlspace, you can begin cleaning.

Clean Surfaces

You can find a lot of things in the crawlspace of your home, including mold, cobwebs, and animal nests. If you find mold, you will need to contact a professional as removing the mold yourself can be dangerous and inefficient. Cobwebs can be simply brushed away, and empty nests can be removed. If the nests show signs of being used, contact animal control about removal as not to disrupt the animal.

Do Repairs

While cleaning your home’s crawlspace, you may find some structural damage. The beams may be suffering from water damaged, or you may need to replace your insulation. While you may be able to DIY some of these projects, always hire a professional for potentially risky repairs.

Final Thoughts

Having a clean crawlspace serves a number of benefits that many homeowners don’t realize. So keeping this often neglected area clean is of the utmost importance. If you are less than interested in cleaning your crawlspace, higher the professionals! Our expert team here at Restoration Certified Specialists in Santa Rosa, CA are ready to help!