Are you ready for crawl space cleaning service? Seattle residents can answer this question by looking for the red flags associated with crawl space problems.

How long has it been since the last time you got crawl space cleaning service? If it’s been a while, this space may have developed issues since your last appointment—and these issues could affect your health and safety. By keeping an eye out for a few signs of trouble, Seattle, WA residents can resolve their crawl space problems as soon as possible.

7 Signs Your Crawl Space Needs Professional Work

While crawl spaces are easy to forget about, they still need attention every so often. You might be overdue for crawl space cleaning if you notice:

1. Moisture in Your House

If you’ve had additional moisture in your house recently, your crawl space may be the source of the issue. That’s especially true of crawl spaces with leaking vapor barriers, which can let moisture from the underlying soil into your home.

If you suspect that you’re dealing with this situation, visually inspect your crawl space for standing water, water damage, or other signs of moisture. Once you find evidence of moisture, a professional crew can deal with this issue and remove/replace your crawl space’s vapor barrier.

2. Dirt and Debris

Dirt, fallen insulation, and other forms of debris can make it hard to navigate your crawl space. Since these spaces often house plumbing, wiring, and HVAC equipment, this isn’t a situation you can neglect for long.

By removing these materials from your crawl space, you can make this space as accessible as possible. After your crawl space cleaning service appointment, you may even be able to use this area for extra storage.

3. Strange Smells

A significant portion of your home’s airflow goes through its crawl space. Because of that, foul odors in this part of your house will quickly become noticeable elsewhere.

Decaying animals, rodent droppings, and many other issues can create unpleasant smells in a crawl space. If you notice an unusual scent but can’t figure out where it’s coming from, this space may be to blame.

4. Plumbing Problems

Have you been dealing with broken or leaky pipes lately? If so, you’ll want to check your crawl space in the near future.

Plumbing issues can cause insulation damage, standing water, and odors in your home. When your crawl space is suffering from these problems, you’ll need to replace damaged insulation and remove any water in your crawl space.

5. Heavy Rainfall and Floods

Despite its reputation, Seattle isn’t one of the rainiest cities in the United States. According to the American Council on Science and Health, Seattle actually ranks 32nd among the 50 biggest American cities, with 37.7 inches of precipitation per year.

Even so, people living in this area should understand the impact heavy rain can have on crawl spaces. Precipitation-related flooding in these spaces can cause serious wood and insulation damage. This water normally won’t go away on its own, either.

6. Allergy Problems

Dust, dirt, and mildew can easily accumulate in your crawl space. Whether or not you regularly enter this space, these materials can cause problems in your day-to-day life.

When air enters your home from your crawl space, it can bring dust and mildew into your house. If someone in your family is sensitive to these allergens, their allergies could act up as a result.

7. Signs of an Infestation

Seattle residents’ rodent-proofing efforts shouldn’t stop with their attics. After all, these pests like to nest in safe areas with minimal human disturbance—and crawl spaces certainly fit the bill.

If you notice droppings or other signs of a rodent problem, mice or rats could be living in your crawl space. However, crawl space infestations aren’t limited to rodents. Larger creatures like raccoons, possums, and skunks can also take up residence in these spaces.

Why Shouldn’t You Clean Your Own Crawl Space?

If you’re unfamiliar with crawl spaces, you might think cleaning this part of your home will be an easy DIY job—but that’s not the case. For people who don’t know exactly what they’re doing, crawl space cleaning can be extremely dangerous.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors has stated that people should not enter a crawl space without wearing suitable personal protective equipment. That’s because crawl spaces are commonly home to dangers like:

  • Pests. If you have a dirt crawl space, it could easily be home to pests like termites and carpenter ants, which can affect your home’s structural integrity. Crawl spaces can also house snakes, bees, spiders, and scorpions. If you encounter these pests in a cramped crawl space, you may find it hard to escape.
  • Fungus and mold. Dark, damp places like crawl spaces are ideal for fungus/mold growth. Unfortunately, mold exposure can cause allergic reactions (among other health problems).
  • Asbestos insulation. Houses constructed before 1980 may have asbestos insulation in their crawl spaces. If you disturb this insulation, you could cause asbestos fibers to become airborne. Extended exposure to these fibers could cause diseases like mesothelioma.
  • Hantavirus. Since rodents can carry hantavirus, you could easily get exposed to this virus during crawl space cleaning. And while exposure to the UV radiation in sunlight can kill hantavirus, that won’t be helpful in a dark crawl space.
  • Electrical wiring. While you move through your crawl space, you could get a nasty shock from improper wiring. To avoid this, you’ll have to look out for electrical issues like open junction boxes and loose wiring.
    Standing water/sewage. Dirt crawl spaces can be affected by water seepage. That can increase your risk of electrical shock, among other issues.

With all this in mind, most Seattle homeowners shouldn’t try to clean crawl spaces on their own. Hiring a professional crew to tackle this job will give you the best possible results without putting your safety at risk.

The Crawl Space Cleaning Service Seattle Trusts

When they need crawl space cleaning service, Seattle residents deserve the best—and that’s just what Attic Projects delivers. The professionals on our team can remove damaged insulation and other types of debris, get rid of mold, fungi, and standing water, and thoroughly clean your crawl space (among other services). Get started by contacting us today!