Crawlspace Inspection
Our inspector takes a look at the overall condition of the crawlspace. In particular he looks at the insulation, the dehumidifier, the sump, and checks the floor liner for signs of water intrusion and damage to the liner.
Final Report
This is what the final report looks like. Note the recommendations the homeowner should consider to fix the problems.
Dehumidifier
This is the dehumidifier unit. It operates to ensure humidity levels inside the crawlspace remain low so the wooden floor structures above do not become overly damp, which would lead to the growth of mold and microbes, eventually leading to a rotting of the structure. It has to be carefully checked to make sure the water is being pumped out of the unit and the lines that carry the water to the sump are not clogged or damaged, resulting in over flow water collecting on the crawlspace floor liner.
Insulation fail
This is why Lawson Home Services recommends removing floor insulation, replacing it by installing SilverGlo™ rigid foam board insulation on the foundation walls. This solves many problems and is the best practice for insulating crawlspaces for a number of reasons.
Checking out the sump pump
Checking the condition and operation of the sump pump is an essential part of the inspection process. When the sump pump fails to do its job it can result in some very expensive problems.
Water on the crawlspace floor liner - not a good sign
This water has to come from somewhere. Plumbing leaks perhaps? Condensation? Ground water intrusion? Lawson's trained inspector will find the source and let the homeowner know before it leads to bigger problems.
Humidity level of Floor joist
It is critical that wooden structural elements of the floor system remain at the proper humidity levels. Excess moisture content in wooden structures can lead to problems such as warping, swelling and the potential for mold and decay.