CRAWL SPACES AND YOUR HOME SALE
sealtechwaterproofing.com
CRAWL SPACES AND PROPERTY VALUE When selling or buying a home, many people forget the crawl space beneath the property. Many homeowners often fail to realize they have a crawl space at all, and moisture or standing water could be impairing their home’s value. Some studies have confirmed that 37% of homeowners have incurred a financial loss because of water damage, and 98% of basements deal with water issues.
THE PURPOSE OF CRAWLSPACES Now, it is uncommon to see crawl spaces in modern houses. However, many homes still have those spaces that are prone to damage because of a variety of factors related to water intrusion that can affect any building regardless of the location. It is important to note that crawl spaces are like mini-basements, and they can be exposed to the outside air. Other crawl spaces can be full-height like a basement to allow outside air to circulate beneath the house.
INNER WORKINGS
Undoubtedly, a crawlspace is a small buffer between the ground and the first floor of a house. Another purpose of this area is to contain the home’s inner workings such as plumbing, electrical system, insulation, and HVAC ducts. Crawl spaces are useful for home maintenance.
HOME INSPECTION During a home inspection, an inspector will access the crawl space. In most cases, potential buyers hire these professionals to find one or multiple issues that need to be solved. For example, if the crawl space does not have plastic over the soil, it can be a signal that deters the buyer from purchasing the property. In the same way, wet floors and standing water are factors that can contribute to the impairment of your property value. Also, high moisture levels promote the growth of fungi (mold) and other organisms, as well as pests.
RECOMMENDATIONS
When an inspector identifies a problem with your crawl space, they will recommend a qualified crawl space or waterproofing contractor to fix the issues. Likewise, inspectors can explain to you why those issues may be occurring and their possible solutions. They can follow the EPA guidelines and recommend other measures such as the installation of rain gardens to soak up rainwater and prevent it from entering the crawl space.
For further information, call the professionals on crawl space waterproofing in Charlotte, NC.
sealtechwaterproofing.com