When inspecting certain areas in a home, a home inspector needs to be extra careful. The crawlspace underneath the house is one of those areas. If we think about the kind of area a crawlspace is, its not hard to see why you need to be very cautious. They are dark and generally go unchecked for long periods of time which means all types of hazards could be lurking down there. If you have to enter the crawlspace under your home, what are some of the hazards to be prepared for?
Animals and pests are one of the possible dangers you could encounter. A crawlspace has the right conditions to be home to many creatures, some of which could be dangerous or poisonous. If you do encounter a creature like this, it will be harder to get away from due to the limited space down there.
Mold and fungus are likely to be found in a crawlspace because they love a damp and dark environment. Standing water and sewage could also be found down there. We are all well aware of the danger to health these problems present.
If you suspect the home may have some structural problems, exercise extreme caution when entering a crawlspace. It would be better to have a professional check it out for you but, if you have to go down there yourself, make sure someone knows where you are and what you are doing down there. This way, should you encounter a problem or become trapped, there is someone who can help you. Another important thing to do before entering the crawlspace is to wear the proper protective clothing and equipment. Its always best to be prepared ahead of time.
