When you purchase a new home, taking care of the crawl space may not be the first thing on your mind. If you don’t have your crawl space inspected, the detriments therein could cause you problems in the years to come.
What does a crawl space inspection entail, and when do you need one?
Your crawl space may be small, but it’s an important and sensitive part of your home. If you don’t actively take care of your crawl space, it can cause problems throughout the whole of your home. A leaking or damaged crawl space can lead to:
There isn’t a specific date by which a new homeowner needs to schedule a crawl space inspection. Even so, you shouldn’t assume that your crawl space is safe as soon as you move into a new place.
Orlando, FL, sees most of its rain during the late spring and early summer, but there’s also always the threat of hurricanes during hurricane season. With that in mind, you’ll want to try and schedule a crawl space inspection within at least three months of moving into your new place. If you’re worried about the cost of repairs, you can use this period of leeway to save up a repair fund and prepare yourself for what might need fixing.
Even so, you’ll want to call an inspector sooner if you notice signs of damage throughout your home. Some examples of obvious indicators include:
Note that these symptoms can also indicate foundation damage. You’ll want to call a crawl space or foundation contractor to determine what, specifically, may be causing problems throughout your home.
When you have a crawl space inspector out to your home, you may not know what to expect. Luckily, most crawl space inspectors will walk you through the inspection so you can stay on top of your home’s health.
Most inspectors break the inspection process down into three phases:
Failing a crawl space inspection isn’t the end of the world. An inspector’s goal is never to make you feel bad about your home. Instead, they aim solely to protect your home from water damage or other crawl space detriments. As mentioned, inspectors will be able to recommend waterproofing measures and provide you with a free quote on potential installation services.
Do you want a professional to come out and take a look at your crawl space? You can reach out to one of the contractors working in the Orlando, FL area.