Crawl Space Cleaning Pros and Cons
Crawl Space Cleaning Houston is probably one of the worst kept secrets in residential home cleaning. Crawl spaces, that little area just below the house that's often overlooked and rarely cleaned are also the homes most susceptible to pest infestation. It's not that they're unclean - it's that they're so used to being forgotten about that people just walk right past them. Cleaning your crawl space is usually never fun, but caving in on it is even worse! Before you plunge in, here are your do-dos and don'ts to help keep you safe while crawling out!
Cleaning Your Crawl Space - Don't Forget About Mold! Crawl spaces (also called crawlspaces or litterboxes) are notorious for holding enormous amounts of unwanted bacteria, mold, and mildew, which can spread quickly and easily throughout your entire home. Every time there's activity in or around your crawl space, mold growth ensues, and it's often too late to save yourself by cleaning it before it's too late!
While there are countless varieties of crawl space cleaning products out on the market today, many are actually hazardous to you and your family's health. For example, many commercial products sold for industrial and commercial cleaning use harsh chemicals that can irritate eyes, skin, and breathe. And of course, the real problem lies within the toxins themselves - in the hundreds of different chemical ingredients that are commonly found in commercial products, a very small percentage of them will actually kill you! Even if the residue isn't toxic to you directly, over time it will accumulate enough toxins to make you sick. By simply avoiding these hazardous cleaning products altogether, you can significantly reduce your exposure to dangerous debris and dirt.
The most effective method for safe, clean air in a crawl space is water extraction. This method uses high-pressure hoses and high-speed suction, combined with low-water carpet cleaning equipment to draw dirt and debris up from the ground beneath your feet. Because the area is so high off the ground and the suction isn't as powerful as in other types of cleaning, expert advisors highly recommend vapor barriers be used to help seal the gap. Not only does vapor barriers provide an extremely airtight barrier, but they also help to insulate walls and flooring, further helping to protect yourself and your family.
Another essential step in safe, clean air quality in your crawl space lies in dehumidification. Dehumidification is achieved through specialized ventilating systems that lower the amount of moisture (the "hum") in the air by collecting warm, moist air that is removed from your home through the fan and leaving your crawl space dry. This method is effective for many types of crawl spaces: fiberglass, clay, ceramic, linoleum, or wood. Professional crawl space cleaning experts highly recommend it, calling it one of the best methods for cleaning in confined spaces.
Once you've sealed your crawl space to reduce moisture, the next step is to remove any existing debris that you may have been able to remove with your vacuum. Many homeowners throw away perfectly good rugs, furniture, and other materials simply because they are unaware of the health hazards they present. Keep in mind that asbestos fibers are friable, which means they can break down into small pieces that could become airborne during cleaning. In addition, discarded asbestos fibers can become airborne after being crushed and ingested by animals. Ingestion of this material results in a serious health risk, and thus it should be cleaned up completely with a certified professional's respirator. There are a number of different respirators available, including full-body and face masks, as well as specific designed for asbestos.
Once your crawl space has been completely cleaned and your ventilation system and heating and cooling systems are operational, then you can begin the process of waterproofing. This will help protect your home from any future water damage and mold issues. A non-woven, waterproof membrane can be applied to both sides of the foundation wall and along the baseboard, which will greatly reduce moisture absorption. A vapor barrier can also be applied on the interior of the foundation wall, which should be done before sealing and before filling in the cracks.
Crawl space cleaning is a necessary part of any dry basement. With the right equipment and a certified contractor by your side, however, it can also be an enjoyable and successful project. The right protection and precautions taken before the cleanup process begins will ensure a healthy living environment for you and your family for years to come.
