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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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