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Health concerns

By
Home Inspector with Ellis Home Inspection Services

While entering a crawlspace during a home inspection here in Pensacola, FL I couldn't help but notice a rank odor. The odor was strong enough to pierce my breathing apparatus. It didn't take long to see someone had done some plumbing work under the home and didn't bother cleaning up. By the looks of things it has been some time since work was done. 

The picture is not very clear, what it shows is old wet fiberglass insulation laying on top of some broken drain cast pipes. Once I realized what was gong on, I exited and requested they call me to make an appointment to finish the crawlspace portion of the inspection after it was no longer a health concern. 

 

Health concerns

 

 

 

Comments(6)

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Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095
Wow...so suprising what people do all in the name of DIY I guess!
Mar 19, 2008 10:12 AM
Wesley Goble
Pillar To Post - Barnegat, NJ
Home Inspector - Jersey Shore

Looks like one of the crawlspaces near here in Beach Haven West.

 

Jim,  Is that human solid waste you were smelling?

Mar 19, 2008 10:50 AM
Jim Ellis
Ellis Home Inspection Services - Pensacola, FL
It probably was / is some human waste I smelled. It's fairly well decayed, the home has been vacant for a while. There is lots of water, decaying wood, mold and old fiberglass insulation to mask that particular odor
Mar 19, 2008 11:11 PM
Darleen McCullen
Raleigh, NC
Broker - Raleigh, NC Real Estate
Jim, this looks awful! From what you describe, it seems as if it could be hazardous to one's health.
Mar 21, 2008 06:01 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
Just think of the goodies you could have come down with by staying in there.  Yuk.
Mar 21, 2008 11:56 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

A good reason for people to actually enter (or hire someone to enter) their crawlspaces occassionally.

 

Kentucky Home Inspector finds disconnected pipe in crawlspace

 

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Mar 22, 2008 03:16 PM