| Crawl spaces are unpleasant places to inspect. It is | | | | mask and what I call a dirt suit to keep myself clean. |
| important to know that crawl spaces need to be | | | | This dirt suit is washed separately for the other |
| inspected more often than just when the home is | | | | clothes not only because all the dirt on it but also to |
| being purchased. A crawl space should be inspected | | | | help keep spores from getting on other clothes. |
| at least once a year. There are however some | | | | Electrical dangers are also present in these confined |
| health and safety issues that need to be kept in | | | | spaces. Home owners who are not very learned in |
| mind. | | | | electrical work will sometimes run wires though the |
| Crawl spaces are more often than not damp places. | | | | crawl space along the ground instead of being |
| This dampness is a conducive condition for wood | | | | properly secured. These wires sometimes contain |
| destroying insects. This alone is a good reason to | | | | splices that are not properly contained in a junction |
| have annual inspections of crawl spaces. If termites | | | | box. Exposed electrical wires laying on damp or wet |
| or carpenter ants were to discover your home | | | | ground is a combination best avoided. When there is |
| between inspections then the annual inspection would | | | | standing water in the dangers go up because the |
| be able to catch the issue before substantial damage | | | | wet soil is a better conductor of electricity. |
| is done. | | | | Animal dangers are another safety issue. If crawl |
| The dampness is also a conducive condition for molds | | | | space entry hatch is left off then raccoons, snakes |
| to grow. Breathing in molds can cause allergic | | | | and other beasts can enter and set up a home they |
| reactions in those people who are sensitive. Air | | | | they will defend against who ever they consider to |
| quality is often poor in these lower spaces and the | | | | be an intruder. I am always looking for movement in |
| amount of dust, dirt and mold stirred up while moving | | | | these areas. I do not want to come face to face |
| about in the crawl space can be large. This stirred up | | | | with an angry raccoon while my movements are |
| debris can be breathed in. I recommend that if you | | | | limited due to being in a confined areas. |
| suspect mold or other debris then you should wear a | | | | Those are the common hazards found in crawl |
| mask to filter the air that you will be breathing. I also | | | | spaces. So please understand why sometimes |
| have discovered dead animals such as mice and | | | | inspectors cannot enter these areas when there is |
| squirrels in crawl spaces. I am glad that I wear a | | | | standing water. |