Crawl areas are notoriously difficult to keep clean, and it’s easy to see why. If you don’t have a crawl space, you’re losing out on crucial living space because of the ductwork, electrical conduit, and plumbing that must be stored there. As recommended by the contractor, crawl space cleaning, vapour barriers, and insulation removal processes can help improve the air quality and humidity levels in the crawl space. However, doing this on your own in a dimly lit and filthy area would be extremely risky and could lead to you being in the middle of a dangerous situation. In this article, we will be going over why you should hire professionals for crawl space cleaning instead of trying to risk doing it yourself.
What is a crawl space?
The area between the foundation and the ground beneath a house is called a “crawl space.” Plumbing, gas hookups, ventilation, and electrical components are all located beneath the surface. It is for your benefit that they are made available to you. Not every home has a crawl space, so keep that in mind. Basements and strong cement foundations are typically absent in these homes.
Access to these underground spaces, which are usually found beneath your house’s floor, is generally found around the house’s foundation. Due to the small size of these entrances, the term “crawl” was coined. You’ll find a lot of plumbing, ventilation, electrical components, and gas hookups once you go inside. In the event that any of these vital home components need to be repaired or replaced, your crawl space provides easy access.
As long as they’re kept clean, they’ll help circulate the air in your house. Homeowners often overlook crawl space maintenance until something goes wrong. The air your family breathes can be contaminated if mould grows in the ducting located beneath your home. The air quality in your home will be compromised if bugs or rats have built nests, which can also risk spreading diseases. Lastly, there’s also a lot of trash and debris that can pile up if not mitigated.
Why do I need to clean my crawl space?
It’s not an easy task to learn how to clean up crawl spaces, which is why you should avoid trying to do it yourself. There are numerous advantages to cleaning your crawl space as a house owner, which should be done with the help of professionals. Moulds and other fungal growth can occur if the crawl space is not cleaned, leading to significant health problems. Every homeowner should clean up their crawl space at least once a year to avoid any unpleasant surprises. In addition, a lack of proper care can lead to the development of a variety of issues, including:
- Infestation of pests and animals
- Carriers of hantaviruses (a pathogen carried by rodents)
- Increasing the amount of stagnant water or sewage
- Poor insulation results in energy waste.
- Damaged or faulty wiring
- The collapse of a building as a result of normal wear and use or damage
- Asbestos found in defunct insulating materials
Why should I hire a professional?
An abandoned crawl space presents many dangers. For many individuals, cleaning out a crawl space is a terrifying prospect. Although it may appear to be a simple task that will save you money, it could be a costly mistake. With the help of an expert, you’ll be able to get your crawl space back to its former glory. It’s a good idea to hire a professional to clean up your crawl area for several reasons.
- Safety
Safety has always been the most crucial consideration for crawl spaces when it comes to home repair work. Regarding your health, you may not know what lurks in the crawl space. Ask yourself, “Is there enough airflow in your basement?” If this is the case, you should hunt for a good-quality respirator when cleaning your crawl area. Regardless of how well-ventilated the environment is, always wear a dust mask. Use heavy-duty, high-quality gloves and leggings with reinforced knees to protect yourself. The crawl space may have sharp materials like nails or glass, therefore, these will come in handy for your safety. An expert with years of experience in the sector can fully prepare for the dangers of crawl space restoration.
- Equipment and cleaning supplies
The absence of critical equipment might stymie even those who aren’t concerned about their own safety. The tools of the trade are all in the hands of the professionals. Some of the things they may not have, while you may not be able to complete the task to the appropriate standard. Hire a crawl space specialist instead of making numerous journeys to your local hardware shop.
- Experience and expertise
You may already have all of the tools you need to complete the task at hand. The tools will be of little use with no knowledge of what to look for. A competent crawl space contractor knows precisely what to do to address a problem area once it has been located. A lot of experience may go a long way when it comes to home improvement tasks. Hire a professional rather than chance missing something that could end up costing you a lot more in the future if you don’t.
Crawl space cleaning services should be hired only if they are experienced and well-qualified. An organisation or individual that only offers short-term fixes should not be paid. Instead, use a crawl space cleaning and repair firm with a good reputation and plenty of experience. This will eventually help you save for the future. It can be challenging to estimate the expense of cleaning your crawl space. There are, nevertheless, numerous long-term advantages to employing the best professional crawl space cleaners.
- Proper disposal
Once you clear up the crawl area, there may be a lot of trash to get rid of. If you don’t know how to dispose of some debris properly, you could find yourself in trouble. When it comes to disposing of waste and debris, a professional will be well-versed in the rules and regulations. It may seem like a simple task for a skilled do-it-yourselfer to clean up a crawl space, but there are things to keep in mind. Expertise in the crawl space contractor industry is essential to ensuring a safe and thorough job.
Hire a trustworthy team to clean your crawl space
Cleaning your crawl area can be a dirty, challenging, and tedious process. Consider hiring a professional if you don’t want to undertake the work yourself. The difference in crawl space cleaning costs between doing it yourself and hiring a specialist may be smaller than you think! Aftercare provides high-quality crawl space cleanup to residents across Virginia and North Carolina. Owners of homes with pier and beam foundations are our usual clients for this type of service. Pier and beam homes were mostly built before the 1960s, but the design largely fell out of use in the following decades.
See our guys in action during an under-the-house sewage cleanup in Hampton, Virginia Beach. A distinct feature of the pier and beam home is the presence of a crawl space between the floor and earth. This allows enough room for electrical wiring and plumbing to be installed underneath the bed. The distance between the ground and the foundation protects your home from moisture and flooding. It makes it easier for plumbers and electricians to reach pipes and wiring if something breaks down and whenever repairs are needed.
