Does your home have a crawl space?
You’ll find it useful for accessing drain pipes, ductwork, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Apart from that, you probably don’t acknowledge the existence of your crawl space too often.
However, you should maintain your crawl space and get it inspected regularly, warns Onsite PM. Many things could go wrong in a crawl space. Spotting early signs of issues saves you from future stress and expenses.
In this article, we’ll go over the major points of crawl space maintenance and inspections.
What are the typical crawl space issues?
Let’s take a look at the problems associated with crawl spaces. The following list shows you exactly why a crawl space maintenance and inspection schedule are necessary.
• Insulation. Do you experience significant fluctuations in your floor temperature? This points to damaged insulation in the crawl space. Part of the insulation has likely fallen apart. But the insulation failure could be a sign of rodent or water damage as well.
• Settling. House settling happens when the soil underneath your home no longer holds the building’s weight. When the soil expands, it pushes against your crawl space. The resulting pressure can create cracks that allow water to enter the space.
• Water. Excess moisture levels and water in your crawl space lead to many problems, including mold and mildew. Leaks in your plumbing may easily damage the insulation and wooden pillars under the house.
• Critters. Many small animals may find their way inside your crawl space. Mice and rats are the usual suspects. However, raccoons could enter the tight space as well. These critters could cause a lot of damage. They chew on insulation, wiring, and PVC pipes. And they will reproduce, multiplying the risk of rodent damage.
• Extreme weather. Does your area experience a significant amount of rain and snow? Or maybe there’s a flooding risk? These scenarios may result in water entering the crawl space. The water damages the insulation and other exposed building materials under your home.
• Pests. Many pests are drawn to damp, warm spaces. In most cases, this activity in the crawl space causes damage. The unwelcome guests include:
– Bees
– Carpenter ants
– Crickets
– Roaches
– Spiders
– Termites
How does the inspection work?
A crawl space inspector will determine whether it’s safe to enter the space. They can’t enter if there’s low ductwork, obstacles on the way, or the opening isn’t big enough. Usually, the opening needs to be at least 20” tall and 24” wide for the inspector to enter.
Another aspect is the overall safety of your crawl space. Inspectors won’t take unnecessary risks. For example, pooled water, exposed electrical wires, and mold growth are unsuitable for an inspection. The inspection is marked as failed until these hazardous issues are fixed.
What happens during a crawl space inspection?
These inspections make sure your crawl space is in top shape. The inspector is on the lookout for any signs of crawl space issues. The focus is on the following questions:
• Are the problems with plumbing?
• Is there any moisture damage?
• What is the condition of the floor framing?
• Does the crawl space harbor dangerous materials, such as asbestos?
• Is the wiring in good shape?
• What is the current status of vapor barriers? Are there any at all?
• Does the crawl space host any small animals or pests?
• What is the condition of insulation?
• Are any of the materials cracked, condensed, or warped?
• Is the ventilation sufficient? Are all the vents clear?
• Are there any signs of foundation issues?
As you can see, a typical crawl space inspection can uncover a lot of problems. Sometimes, homeowners would miss these important red flags unless they get an inspection done.
How to maintain your crawl space?
Crawl space maintenance is essential for keeping this space healthy and safe. Clean the crawl space regularly. Remove any stagnant water, followed by installing a perimeter drain.
Seal dirt floors with a moisture retardant, such as polyethylene. Otherwise, your crawl space is exposed to more pests and humidity. Discovering any mold calls for professional mold remediation services.
Make sure that your gutters direct water away from your home and its crawl space. An alternative is to landscape the soil so that it directs the water away from the house. Also, take any other steps that would minimize the risk of water entering into your crawl space.
Laminated water vapor barriers help to vent the crawl spaces. You can’t completely seal it from the outside air. That would be unhealthy and hazardous as well.
Make sure that your crawl space is properly insulated. This is a question of energy efficiency and optimal comfort. Use spray foam insulation and fiberglass batts for temperature regulation. Your HVAC system may cause lower utility bills thanks to good crawl space insulation.
The bottom line: crawl space inspections and maintenance
Crawl spaces are often out of sight and out of mind. Still, you should make sure to regularly maintain the crawl space and get it inspected. Many issues could start from this part of your home. Putting in the time and effort lowers the risk of later complications.
Vacation Home Condition Inspections (VHCI)
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by longbayFor those of you who have purchased a home in Myrtle Beach to serve as your “vacation home”, congratulations for making that dream happen! Now, whether you plan to “VRBO it” or just keep it for yourself and family members, you are likely to want or need an occasional “report” on the condition of the property. You are in luck because I have combined my great cloud-based, interactive Inspection Report with my home inspection training, tools, and experience, to offer a “condition report” at just $49. You can go to my “Schedule Now” button to set up the inspection on-line yourself using the Scheduling tool, and you can pay on-line so there is no need to even call me! Just set it up and then look for the automated confirmations and reminders. Note the property must be “un-occupied” at the time of the inspection as I don’t want you to be accused of “checking on” your tenants or guests.
Now, don’t hesitate to call me if you prefer that I schedule your vacation home monitoring inspection, or if you have further questions. Call (843.444.2150) and I will set up the appointment and send you the link to pay online with any credit or debit card. We can find you an open time slot.
What’s included in this $49 “vacation home condition report”? Below is a detailed list of points to be inspected. Note that this is a special, limited inspection, only for the purpose of “monitoring” a remote vacation home in Greater Myrtle Beach (and south to Garden City) & North MB (incl Cherry Grove and Little River).
The primary objective is to ensure the home is safe & secure and that everything is working properly. The secondary objective is to provide photos/videos in an easy-to-use format that you can review from anywhere at anytime, on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. The result is a stunningly easy way to be confident that your home is in good shape for the next member of the family or the next renter (or the day after the storm), for only $49.
You can’t get your brother or father-in-law to do that, right? Kidding aside, this is something anyone can use if you own a vacation home somewhere in the Long Bay area, aka the Grand Strand!
Contact me for more information or to set up a “condition inspection” for your vacation home, at 843.444.2150, or go the Scheduler page and look for Vacation Home Condition Inspection for $49 (no discounts applied to this service). The home must be “unoccupied” at the time of the condition inspection. There is an adder of $10 for each bathroom over 4 full bathrooms.
Thanks for checking out this new service!
Doug Backer
Owner/Inspector, Long Bay Home Inspection LLC
Summer “Specials” at Long Bay Home Inspection
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by SpectoraThe Summer “HEAT” (the busy season for rentals) has arrived in Myrtle Beach! Vacation Homes will be getting “action” and the city is “Hoppin’!”
I am offering 10% off of ALL inspections until the last day of SUMMER (and the start of FALL). If you schedule your inspection on the Schedule Now page, please use the “code” SUMMER (case sensitive) at check-out to get the best price, or give me a call at 843.444.2150. This discount applies to everyone and is already included in the SENIORS discount or the HEROES discount if either of those “fit you”. These are on top of my already-competitive pricing that is based on the number of bedrooms and baths instead of square feet.
If you are buying a “second home” (vacation home) I also wanted to highlight my new Vacation Home Condition Inspection program where you can schedule a limited inspection of your vacation home monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually – or just whenever you are wondering about the “condition” of your vacation home. You will get the same Web-based Inspection Report format as my standard home inspections. After I visit the home I will send you a secure link to your report, and when you click the link you will get an instant view of the home and any issues I find. Try it out for only $49 for homes with up to four (4) FULL bathrooms. This will definitely give you confidence in the home your family, or your vacation rental clients, will soon be visiting again! Note that the property must be vacant for me to do this condition inspection for legal reasons. See the $49 Vacation Home Condition Inspection page.
So whether you are one of our HEROES, or SENIORS looking to buy or sell a home, or if you are needing an inspection anytime this SUMMER, schedule now or call for more assistance! Note: Discounts do not apply to the $49 Vacation Home Condition Report inspections.
Doug Backer, Owner/Inspector
Long Bay Home Inspection LLC
843.444.2150
SC RBI 49415
Why Crawl Space Inspections and Maintenance are Important
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by longbayDoes your home have a crawl space?
You’ll find it useful for accessing drain pipes, ductwork, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Apart from that, you probably don’t acknowledge the existence of your crawl space too often.
However, you should maintain your crawl space and get it inspected regularly, warns Onsite PM. Many things could go wrong in a crawl space. Spotting early signs of issues saves you from future stress and expenses.
In this article, we’ll go over the major points of crawl space maintenance and inspections.
What are the typical crawl space issues?
Let’s take a look at the problems associated with crawl spaces. The following list shows you exactly why a crawl space maintenance and inspection schedule are necessary.
• Insulation. Do you experience significant fluctuations in your floor temperature? This points to damaged insulation in the crawl space. Part of the insulation has likely fallen apart. But the insulation failure could be a sign of rodent or water damage as well.
• Settling. House settling happens when the soil underneath your home no longer holds the building’s weight. When the soil expands, it pushes against your crawl space. The resulting pressure can create cracks that allow water to enter the space.
• Water. Excess moisture levels and water in your crawl space lead to many problems, including mold and mildew. Leaks in your plumbing may easily damage the insulation and wooden pillars under the house.
• Critters. Many small animals may find their way inside your crawl space. Mice and rats are the usual suspects. However, raccoons could enter the tight space as well. These critters could cause a lot of damage. They chew on insulation, wiring, and PVC pipes. And they will reproduce, multiplying the risk of rodent damage.
• Extreme weather. Does your area experience a significant amount of rain and snow? Or maybe there’s a flooding risk? These scenarios may result in water entering the crawl space. The water damages the insulation and other exposed building materials under your home.
• Pests. Many pests are drawn to damp, warm spaces. In most cases, this activity in the crawl space causes damage. The unwelcome guests include:
– Bees
– Carpenter ants
– Crickets
– Roaches
– Spiders
– Termites
How does the inspection work?
A crawl space inspector will determine whether it’s safe to enter the space. They can’t enter if there’s low ductwork, obstacles on the way, or the opening isn’t big enough. Usually, the opening needs to be at least 20” tall and 24” wide for the inspector to enter.
Another aspect is the overall safety of your crawl space. Inspectors won’t take unnecessary risks. For example, pooled water, exposed electrical wires, and mold growth are unsuitable for an inspection. The inspection is marked as failed until these hazardous issues are fixed.
What happens during a crawl space inspection?
These inspections make sure your crawl space is in top shape. The inspector is on the lookout for any signs of crawl space issues. The focus is on the following questions:
• Are the problems with plumbing?
• Is there any moisture damage?
• What is the condition of the floor framing?
• Does the crawl space harbor dangerous materials, such as asbestos?
• Is the wiring in good shape?
• What is the current status of vapor barriers? Are there any at all?
• Does the crawl space host any small animals or pests?
• What is the condition of insulation?
• Are any of the materials cracked, condensed, or warped?
• Is the ventilation sufficient? Are all the vents clear?
• Are there any signs of foundation issues?
As you can see, a typical crawl space inspection can uncover a lot of problems. Sometimes, homeowners would miss these important red flags unless they get an inspection done.
How to maintain your crawl space?
Crawl space maintenance is essential for keeping this space healthy and safe. Clean the crawl space regularly. Remove any stagnant water, followed by installing a perimeter drain.
Seal dirt floors with a moisture retardant, such as polyethylene. Otherwise, your crawl space is exposed to more pests and humidity. Discovering any mold calls for professional mold remediation services.
Make sure that your gutters direct water away from your home and its crawl space. An alternative is to landscape the soil so that it directs the water away from the house. Also, take any other steps that would minimize the risk of water entering into your crawl space.
Laminated water vapor barriers help to vent the crawl spaces. You can’t completely seal it from the outside air. That would be unhealthy and hazardous as well.
Make sure that your crawl space is properly insulated. This is a question of energy efficiency and optimal comfort. Use spray foam insulation and fiberglass batts for temperature regulation. Your HVAC system may cause lower utility bills thanks to good crawl space insulation.
The bottom line: crawl space inspections and maintenance
Crawl spaces are often out of sight and out of mind. Still, you should make sure to regularly maintain the crawl space and get it inspected. Many issues could start from this part of your home. Putting in the time and effort lowers the risk of later complications.
5 Tips for Termite Control
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by longbayWith Permission From Consumers Advocate (consumersadvocate.org)
When you buy a house, you’re making a commitment that will last for years and years. This commitment means taking care of the structure and its surroundings. Pest control in general, and termite control in particular, are very important things to consider in order to maintain a proper home. And if you’re in the process of buying a home, you want to make sure that it’s termite-free. A home inspection can help you pay attention to some problem areas.
But how can you tell if a structure has termites? And how can you prevent them from coming in? Consider these five things.
1. Humidity is a Termite’s Best Friend
There are many ways in which you can minimize the possibility of termite infestation, but the most important might be reducing the moisture present in your home. A home inspector can point you in the right direction by finding leaky plumbing or leaky roofs, as well as seepage in your basement or crawlspace.
Clogged gutters and improperly oriented downspouts can create water accumulation close to the foundation or structural support beams. When humidity is present, it’s much more attractive for subterranean termites. And a termite infestation near the foundation can be potentially catastrophic and lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage.
2. Bait-and-Monitoring Systems Can Be of Great Help
Those green caps you see buried in the ground might be very important. They’re bait-and-monitoring systems set up by a pest control company and they’re used to eradicate subterranean termite colonies in an area.
Termite control companies insert canisters into the ground which are filled with wood or other material which termites eat to bait them. The wood is treated with chemicals that kill termites, but not before they pass it along to other termites in their colony.
By using bait-and-monitoring systems, homeowners can avoid mass fumigation and the spread of toxic chemicals on the ground. However, since it requires constant maintenance and monitoring from pest control companies, this method is usually a bit more expensive than liquid spraying.
Consider the costs and the method’s effectiveness and discuss the alternatives with your pest control specialist before deciding on a treatment option.
3. Weatherize Your Home
A home inspection can also help you identify areas where you need to weatherize your home. Sealing windows, using caulk to seal cracks and joints, installing weatherstripping, and maintaining good insulation can not only make your home more energy-efficient, but it can also prevent termites from getting in.
Fixing screens and using rubber door sweeps can also provide an extra layer of security against outside pest invaders. Most of these solutions are DIY projects but, if more specialized responses are necessary, you might need to obtain the services of a professional.
4. Look For Tell-Tale Signs of Infestation
Mud tubes, discarded wings, and small round pellets (frass) are surefire evidence that termites are or have been present.
Mud tubes are long, covered trails made out of dirt and termite saliva, which allows the insects to travel silently through your home. Their presence, even if they’re dried out and empty, can mean termites have been active in the area.
When mating season comes (usually the spring), termite colonies dispatch swarms of flying termites to procreate and set up new colonies. Many of these shed their wings and find places to infest. You might find piles of discarded wings on the ground next to light sources. This doesn’t necessarily mean the home’s infested, but it would be a good idea to check for other signs.
The small, round pellets you might see coming out of wooden closet doors or furniture is called frass. These pellets are termite droppings and indicate that a dry wood termite infestation is present.
5. A Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Inspection Might Be Necessary
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, termites might be present in the home. If that’s the case, you should consider a wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection, which is just a fancy name for a termite inspection. In fact, mortgage lenders might even require it.
Regular home inspections are a must whenever you’re considering buying or selling a home, and they might spot termite presence and alert you to it. However, they won’t be able to diagnose the problem and offer solutions.
A WDO inspection can tell you what type of termites are infecting the home and where they are located. They can also provide you with a plan to deal with the infestation.
By being attentive to these tips, you’ll be able to spot and take care of termite infestations in your home and prevent any potential damage to the structure.
(added from Long Bay HI) Please note that Long Bay Home Inspections DOES NOT do WDO inspections. Home Inspectors will look for the tell tale signs and report them when found, but many inspectors in the state are not licensed to do the entire WDO inspection (as required in SC). Many of us keep it that way so you can be confident no one is trying to sell you something you don’t really need.
7 Benefits of Pre-Listing Inspections
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by SpectoraMost Common Home Inspection Findings
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