Spiders, mold, and rodents — oh my!

The heebie-jeebies you get from imagining what’s lurking under your home is enough to make you want to avoid crawl space cleaning altogether. 

However, cleaning and maintaining your crawl space is not just good for your peace of mind; it’s necessary for the overall wellness of your home. So, it’s time to emphasize the importance of crawl space health and reconsider the cleaning methods and techniques involved. 

In this article, we’ll divulge all the dirty details of crawl space cleaning while discussing important factors and helpful tips. 

 

Table of Contents

 

crawl space cleaner

 

How Do You Clean Dirty Crawl Spaces?

Your crawl space lives outdoors, under your home. 

It’s not meant to be dirt-free and squeaky clean, but this doesn’t mean it should be neglected, stuffed with discarded items, or home to various wildlife and pests. 

How you approach cleaning your crawl space is going to depend on:

  1. The cause of your problem
  2. The severity of your problem. 

When it comes to crawl space clean-up, it’s also essential to consider the “why” before the “how.” IE: If you’re dealing with mold, you won’t employ the same tactics as you would if you were dealing with pests or another problem. 

Different problems require different solutions. 

 

The “How” for Cleaning Crawl Spaces Depends on the “Why”

Start with a targeted goal as to why you’re cleaning your crawl space. You may be cleaning it to keep it tidy and free of loose debris, or you may have recently noticed a few symptoms of bigger problems. 

Knowing the why will help you with the how. 

For example, removing black mold will require the help of a professional, whereas cleaning up debris, such as leaves and sticks, may only require a little dirty work on your part.

Or perhaps you’ve noticed animal droppings, in which case you want to ensure the animals are removed from the space before removing their nest and droppings. You may also want that area and the rest of your house inspected for damage or further infestation. 

Maybe you’ve just got a bunch of unpacked boxes or construction materials taking up the space and creating a potentially cozy spot for animals to nest and mold to thrive. In this case, you should remove all boxes and materials and dispose of them accordingly.

Now that we’ve lightly painted a broader picture of crawl space cleaning, let’s clean it up by exploring the finer details. 

 

cleaning crawl spaces

 

Why Begin a Crawl Space Clean-Up: 5 Common Issues

 

#1: Leftover Construction Material

Old wood, cardboard, or other materials can start to rot, eventually causing mildew and mold. This is potentially hazardous for a couple of reasons:

  1. Your ventilation system is usually tucked under your crawl space. Mold can travel through the vents and contaminate the air you’re breathing. 
  2. Mold can spread to your home’s structural supports and eventually cause rot, which may lead to expensive repairs.

Another reason you want to remove old boxes or construction debris is that they create inviting homes for rodents or raccoons.

Rodents and raccoons can wreak havoc on your home. Not only do they leave behind their droppings, but they can chew through wires, wood, and more.

Did you know that 13% of all residential fires start in vacant crawl spaces?

This may be because leftover construction materials, boxes, clogged air vents, and chewed wires are potential fire hazards. 

Cleaning old boxes and construction debris usually requires nothing more than some hard work on your part.

However, you should always inspect the area first to ensure there isn’t a mold or rodent problem. If so, it’s time to call the professionals. 

Pure Environmental offers professional home remediation services delivered with high-quality service at a fair price. 

Using top-of-the-line PurAyr nanotechnology, we can effectively employ eco- and home-friendly tactics to help eliminate your mold and pest problems. 

Get started by requesting an estimate today. 

 

#2: Visible Wear and Tear or Damage

If your crawl space clean-up mission is a result of damage, such as a flood, or general wear and tear, then you may want to call in a professional.

During flooding or other disasters, mud can build up and block or damage vapor barriers. Vapor barriers are vital because they block ground moisture and help prevent mold and fungus from growing.

Vapor barriers also ward off the growth of certain harmful bacteria in the soil and reduce the amount of them being released into the home. Some of these harmful bacteria include:

  • Nocardia: This pathogen may cause a bacterial lung infection in the lungs known as nocardiosis.
  • Legionella: This is another bacteria associated with lung infections and pneumonia, which causes Legionairre’s disease. 

Disaster damage should always be handled by a professional. Structural damage may occur during a flood, tornado, or hurricane, creating a potentially hazardous environment.

If you have recently been the victim of natural disasters or other events that may cause visible wear and tear damage to your crawl space, call the professionals at Pure Environmental to inspect your crawl space for damage before you enter the space. 

In addition to your vapor barriers, insulation, and other materials should be inspected as well. 

Don’t have a vapor barrier installed in your crawl space? Pure Environmental also offers crawl space vapor barrier installation in Portland and Tacoma . A properly installed vapor barrier is your best line of defense against structural water damage. 

Having one may also: 

  • Prevent musty odors
  • Discourage mold growth
  • Prevent moisture from infiltrating into your home
  • Reduce the likelihood of wood rot

Contact Pure Environmental today for an estimate for our vapor barrier installation.

 

#3: Evidence of Mold

If you’ve started to notice that your whole house is smelling musty, you may have mold in your crawl space. Reasons you might have mold growing in your crawl space include:

  • Water damage from flooding, leaks, or broken pipes
  • Crawl space foundation cracks
  • Poor drainage
  • Inadequate ventilation

Mold relies on a consistent supply of moisture to cultivate and flourish. Its existence in your crawl space may be a sign of a more significant problem that may endanger your home’s structure and the health of its occupants.

According to the CDC: 

“Exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.”

Contrary to popular belief, mold removal and remediation is no simple DIY task. 

While you can “kill” mold with over-the-counter products and homemade remedies, those tactics may do nothing to solve the root cause or keep mold spores from settling and recultivating — and those techniques might even worsen your mold problem.

You can rely on the professionals at Pure Environmental to survey the area, investigate the damage, remove the mold, sanitize the area, and help you fortify your home and crawl space against future mold encounters. 

 

#4: Excessive Dust and Debris

It’s perfectly normal for dust and debris to build-up in your crawl space. However, excessive dirt and dust in your crawl space may reduce air quality and irritate allergy-sensitive individuals. 

Approximately 20 million people in the U.S. are allergic to Dermatophagoides spp., otherwise known as the American dust mite. 

The prevalence of these microscopic allergens is exacerbated by dirt and dust build up coupled with excess humidity. Dust mites absorb water from the air, so keeping your crawl space clean may help reduce the prevalence of dust and support adequate ventilation. 

Another problem with excessive dust and debris is that it can create an attractive space for rodents and other pests to make nests.

You can help avoid these issues by keeping your crawl space free of branches, leaves, debris, etc. 

Try using a shop vac to vacuum the area every spring and fall to avoid messy build-up. Or schedule regular crawl space maintenance with a professional and avoid getting down there altogether.

 

#5: Evidence of Rodents

If you have rodents, such as rats or mice, or other creatures, such as raccoons, living in your crawl space, it can become a major issue.

Not only do these pests leave a mess of urine and feces behind, but they can damage your insulation, wiring, and piping as well.

Rodent feces are known to carry Hantavirus, which can lead to HPS (Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) in humans.

Cleaning crawl spaces with rodent mess left behind can be a tricky situation. 

First, you need to exterminate or eliminate these pests from your home and seal the entry points. 

From there, you will need to disinfect the area with an industrial fogger, replace the vapor barrier, and remove and replace contaminated insulation.

Finally, you need to exclude the rodents from the crawl space by sealing any openings greater than the size of a quarter.

Or…

You can call the crawl space cleaning professionals at Pure Environmental. Rodent clean-up is no small task, and if not done correctly, it can leave behind harmful contaminants that can make you or your family sick.

 

How Do You Maintain a Crawl Space?

These four steps will help to maintain your crawl space and avoid potential problems:

  1. Make sure moisture is not getting into your crawl space.
  2. Block rodents from entering and properly ventilate the space with vapor barriers and vents.
  3. Insulate your crawl space for climate control.
  4. Inspect and clean your crawl space twice a year.

When it comes to crawl spaces, prevention is key. Taking the time to ensure your crawl space is properly maintained will help you avoid costly clean-ups in the future.

Unlike other crawl space cleaning companies, Pure Environmental prioritizes education and prevention to avoid future visits. 

We are not salespeople, just a group of remediation and mitigation professionals who are passionate about keeping the homes and lives of our community safe and healthy. It is important that we help rectify your crawl space issues quickly, efficiently, and safely. 

 

The Most Important Thing To Remember for DIY Crawl Space Cleaners: Protect Yourself

If you’re a bonafide DIYer and decide that you want to tackle your crawl space clean-up on your own, protecting yourself is essential. While we don’t recommend tackling these issues on your own, we will provide a few tips and tricks to keep you safe while attempting your at-home crawl space clean-up. 

Keep in mind that your crawl space may contain potentially harmful contaminants, such as rodent feces or mold, so it’s important to protect your skin and respiratory system.

Proper PPE should include:

  • Non-porous gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Mask or respirator
  • Rubber boots
  • Long-sleeved shirt and pants

If you have excessive mold or animal droppings, you may want to consider a protective suit.

Before getting into your crawl space to begin working, check the age of your home to know whether or not asbestos could be present.

Many crawl spaces in older homes may contain asbestos or asbestos-contaminated soil. If your home was built before 1989 or when most asbestos-containing products were outlawed, it’s best to have a professional inspect the area before you begin your clean-up.

 

how to clean crawl space

 

What To Do if There Are Harmful Contaminants in Your Crawl Space

We highly recommend that you call a professional if you have or suspect you have any of the following in your crawl space:

  1. Dead or live animals
  2. Rodent feces or urine
  3. Mold
  4. Broken or leaky pipes
  5. Wood rot
  6. Asbestos
  7. Electrical damage

A crawl space that hasn’t been maintained or has suffered damage due to a natural disaster may not be safe. A professional has the knowledge, equipment, and experience to repair any damage, clean the area thoroughly, and install any preventative measures.

Don’t risk your safety; it’s not worth it!

 

Pure Environmental: Your Professionals for Cleaning Crawl Spaces the Right Way

Cleaning your crawl space is a messy and possibly hazardous job. If you don’t want to do it yourself, we don’t blame you one bit.

While you might think doing it yourself will save you money, often, hiring a professional is more financially reasonable than you would expect.

The professionals at Pure Environmental in Tacoma and Portland, WA, are experts at crawl space clean-up. We know how to clean a crawl space and how to prepare your crawl space to prevent future issues. 

Whether it’s rodents, mold, mud, or dust, we’ll get the job done right so that you can rest easy knowing the underbelly of your home is in tip-top shape.

Call us for more information or to book your crawl space inspection.

 

cleaning crawl spaces