A Complete Crawlspace Home Inspection-Chelan and Leavenworth Home inspection.

Does your home have a crawlspace? If so what should you expect from a home inspection in the crawlspace?                 
                                         
You hire a home inspector to hopefully fully inspect your home. In this agreement a complete crawlspace home inspection should be one of the top priorities.

I have been on several home inspections in the last several months where I have been informed that either the crawlspace had been inspected and was not, or that the client informed me that their previous inspector just stuck a camera in the access hatch and took a few pictures.

Both of these action are to me unethical unless there is obvious hazardous conditions that prevent entry. If these conditions exist or if there are areas that could not be fully evaluated they should be clearly spelled out in the inspection report. This is the law in the State of Washington. (Wash. State SOP)

So what should your home inspector really do when performing a home inspection in the crawlspace?

Your home inspector should be crawling to every corner of the space, if this is not possible it should be noted. Ideally the home inspector should be sounding the wood for insect and rot damage as they are traversing the crawlspace.

                                          Sounding and probing wood

                                 

In the State of Washington the home inspector should be checking for foundation bolts. These are the bolts that tie the home to its foundation.

                                        Foundation Bolts

The home inspector should be checking each plumbing drop for sign of leaks and damage.

                                        Plumbing Leaks

Any debris in crawlspace should be noted for removal. The only materials that should be present in a crawlspace are those that are structural in nature.

                                       debris in crawlspace

The home inspector should be checking that the vapor barrier is present, in good condition and properly installed.

                                     Vapor barrier

The home inspector should be reporting any evidence of past and present moisture conditions.

                                    water intrusion

Proper ventilation is critical and should be evaluated to ensure that there is adequate ventilation and that the vents have not been compromised or blocked.

                                     Blocked foundation vent

Reporting of rodent or vermin infestation is also critical because along with possible health issues they  can produce damage to the insulation as well as wiring, ducting and plumbing.  

                                   insulation compromised

Lastly the home inspector should be evaluating any and all  structural, electrical, plumbing and ducting that is visible in the crawlspace.

                                  Joist compromised

The crawlspace is a critical area to be examined and if your home inspector is not  doing this properly you are at risk at having issues that go undetected and potentially very costly.


“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

 

Steve Jobs





NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…   
  

Your Wenatchee, Leavenworth  and Chelan Professional Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

509-670-9572 or on the web atwww.ncwhomeinspections.com

 
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7 Comments on A Complete Crawlspace Home Inspection-Chelan and Leavenworth Home inspection.

DEC
05
2011
193,997 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

When we bought our house out in the country on pier and beam, not only did the inspector crawl under there, my husband was right there alongside him to see just what we'd be dealing with at time of purchase and in future.  It's come in handy since - but I was really glad it was him, and not me, under there!

 
4:38pm • #1
568,210 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Looks like the vermin were having a party in that one crawl space. Why don't they just build houses with basements out there?
5:10pm • #2
917,814 Points 179 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

@Jim---dang good question :)  I am sure Don has the answer though.
5:46pm • #3
293,473 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tricia, That is awesome your hubby went in. Not many do that. To me a thorough crawlspace inspection is one of the most important parts of my job.

I may not a fun place to go but very important.
5:50pm • #4
293,473 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jim, A vermin playground it was ; ) I wish my pics of the wire that were stripped came out. They stripped about 10 feet of the romex outer sheathing.

Jim and Charlie,

Surprisingly we do not have that deep of frost depth so the cheap way is a crawlspace versus a basement. Frost level is about 10 to 20 inches and gets a little deeper farther east link in Spokane county.
6:16pm • #5
DEC
06
2011
977,226 Points 352 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You are being very hard.  That leak will eventually seal itself and better than the plumber did it originally.  And those black and white pipes look good together - the contrast makes it easy to see connections.

 

Suggested...
6:49am • #6
293,473 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, Sorry I must of been in a nit picky mood ; ) I like it when the leaks seal themselves. Show good work by a plumber to create self healing plumbing.

Like the BW piping. That is special.
9:30am • #7


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