You may have heard of crawl space cleaning or been told to have it performed in your attic, but you need to figure out what it is or entails. Good news! You’ve come to the right spot! If you’d like to learn a little more about our crawl space cleaning services that we offer in San Leandro, California, and why you should have it done, keep reading!
What is a Crawl Space?
A crawl space is a small crevice between the house’s bottom and the ground. Allows for easy access to all sorts of crucial components within the home where the gas hook-ups, plumbing, electrical units, and ventilation reside. Usually found in homes with a basement or solid foundation underneath, near the base.
Try to have this area inspected at least once a year to ensure no growing debris or mold can affect the quality of the air your family breathes in. Keeping your crawl space clean also aids in better air circulation within your home.
Common Problems of a Poorly Maintained Crawl Space
Without proper crawl space maintenance, you could be susceptible to several dangers to your home. Tend to them before they happen.
- Mildew and Mold
Mildew and mold can cause respiratory and other health problems. You can usually identify their presence by looking for black or green patches on the walls or beams, followed by a musty smell.
- Pest Infestation
If you have a crawl space, you may face the nuisance of a pest infestation. Taking care of pests as soon as possible is crucial because they can damage your home and your health. You can experience issues like fatigue, fever, & muscle aches symptoms dues to a rodent infestation. To prevent infestations, you can treat your crawl space with our rodent-proofing service so we can do it all for you.
- Water Puddles
If you see puddles of water in your crawl space, it is crucial to address the issue as soon as possible. These puddles often are a sign of a leak, and if left unresolved over time, they can lead to severe water damage to your home.
- Bad Insulation
Improperly insulated crawl spaces can lead to mold and mildew growth, increased energy costs, and even structural damage. This is because warm air from the house leaks into the crawl space and gets trapped there. You must take steps to ensure your crawl space is adequately insulated. Cleaning Trash From Your Crawl Space
The first step that will always take place when removing debris in your crawl space is to remove any trash that has found its way there. Debris includes:
- Broken Pipes – Inspection may occur to determine if a water pipe was broken off your home. It becomes challenging when identifying if a water pipe is from the floor underground or if it is a pipe that connects to the wall.
- Damaged Vapor Barriers – These prevent ground moisture and aid in keeping away mold and fungus.
- Old Wood and Cardboard – These can start rotting and cause additional mold growth if not removed.
- Asbestos Insulation – Often found between the 1900s and 1980s, asbestos insulation could be lingering in the ceiling tiles. It’s imperative to have this removed as it can cause significant health failures.
Other Steps In Cleaning Your Crawl Space
After debris and trash have been removed from your crawl space, the following procedures will happen:
Removing Mold and Pests
Our inspectors will look for mold in your crawl space, and if any mold is found, they will make a note of it & provide an on-site estimate. Once approved, our professionals will clean the crawl space where the mold was found. A pest control inspection can be performed to rid your crawl space of hazardous mixtures of droppings and urine.
Fixing Water Leaks
An infrared thermography inspection can be done to see if your crawl space has any leaks that need to be sealed. Dirt and moisture pair together, so it will be essential to seal off any air or water that could get in through the ground walls, open vents, or leaking pipes.
Vacuum Cleaning
A special vacuum will collect any dust, dirt, or other particles that can contaminate the home.
Waterproofing
If you don’t have gutter or downspouts, you will need to have them installed to ensure that water flows properly to the yard and not to other places it shouldn’t be.
Hire the Best Crawl Space Cleaning in San Leandro, California
Now that you understand why servicing your crawl space is so important to the health and longevity of your home, it’s time to hire the best in crawl space cleaning. Located in San Leandro, California, Atticare USA has been helping residents of Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and New Jersey clean their crawl spaces for nearly a decade.
If you’re a San Leandro resident needing help with your crawl space, contact us today to learn more about our attic and crawl space services.
