Raised foundations are common in my area and my least favorite area to inspect. The heat of an attic is one thing but at least I know, for the most part, what to expect. Fortunately Southeast Michigan Home Inspectors don't have to worry much about poisonous spiders, other than the Brown Recluse, or poisonous snakes.
Once in a while I get lucky and enter a clean crawl with plenty of headroom but that tends to be the exception. Most of the time the area is full of construction debris and of course more than enough insects and spider webs. It's hard to block out the thought of a big spider climbing down my back while in a crawl.
No matter the condition of the crawlspace I always prepare myself for an adventure.
A solid construction helmet, much like the one pictured, is something I wear in all crawls and attics.This week a Realtor laughed at me because I looked like Bob the Builder but it's a must have.
Doing a belly crawl under a home allows for plenty of opportunities to smack your head against something. A couple years ago I was inspecting a crawl and bumped against the edge of a return. Not only did it hurt like heck, it left a nice gash on the top of my head. Truss plates in attics are worse. Those things can scalp you if you're not careful.
A solid, powerful flashlight is a home inspector best friend. Perhaps that's a little extreme but it sure does come in handy. In a crawlspace you would have close to zero visibility without a flashlight and one with a powerful beam helps before you enter the crawl. I like to shine mine into the area in case there are any glowing eyes staring back at me. Fighting off possums is not part of the SOP. I take along two Ultra Stingers to every inspection.
Deep in a crawlspace is the last place you want your flashlight batteries to die. A backup lamp mounted on your helmet will get you out of the crawl with enough light to finish your inspection.
Inspectors understand the importance of wearing a respirator in attic and crawlspaces. The crawlspace can contain harmful substances either in the soil, insulation, or organic matter. I always purchase filters rated for organic matter and change them regularly.
This photo was taken by the buyer right after I exited the crawl.
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