In the wet Pacific Northwest, an ongoing problem is trying to inspect crawl spaces that have an abundance of crawl space water or flooding. The concern is, at the least, three-fold. First, the water should not be down there and it is conducive to creating all sorts of problems -- wood decay, attracting wood destroying insects and high humidity levels that can cause microbial activity. Second, at times it is hard to determine if the issue is the result of runoff water or if it is caused by plumbing leaks. And, third, sometimes you cannot figure out the source of the water at all, in part because the water is deep enough that an inspector cannot safely get under the plumbing to check it out. Running into live wires, on wet crawl space floors, is only for the very stout of heart or the foolish.

 

The best solution, to remedy this, is to get the water drained out of the crawl space. When it is dry, have an inspector go back under to further investigate and, as required, consult with a plumber and or a drainage professional.

        

        

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This post has been included in Washington Real Estate News Whatcom County, WA Real Estate News Bellingham, WA Real Estate News
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5 Comments on Whatcom County Home Inspections (King of the House) Crawl Space Water

NOV
18
2011
566,903 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Or might I suggest making the crawl space into a swimming pool. Could be simpler in some instances.
4:45pm • #1
1,241,121 Points 158 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good evening, Steven. I have seen a few in this area where I felt like getting out my snorkel equipment and check out the space...
5:11pm • #2
292,016 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Steve, Call out the dive team!!! Dive dive dive!!! Heck whats a little for a big bad HI like you ; )
5:13pm • #3
NOV
19
2011
972,707 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

 I have found here in VA that it is exceptionally difficult to get people to drain their crawl spaces!  And after they are "finished," I don't want to be the guy going back down there!
3:43am • #4
DEC
14
2011

I am constantly baffled at builders who don't get the fact that water is unacceptable under homes. Worse is the excuses for why water is in the crawl space, and the promises that it will "dry" out on it's own. They like to exclaim that the building inspector "passed" it. Yet they seem to forget the buyer is the person with the cash, and who makes the final decision on what is acceptable, and what is not.

 
4:42pm • #5

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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