Questions & answers about entering & working in crawl spaces safely.

This article series lists potentially dangerous or un-healthy conditions that should be evaluated by an inspector or worker who is expected to enter, inspect, or work in a crawl space anywhere in a building.

The crawl space shown in our page top photo was in our opinion not a readily accessible area. This decision is made by the inspector on the scene, not by anyone else.

Q&A on Crawl Space Safety for Workers or Inspectors

These questions & answers about craw space safety & crawl space safely accessibility were posted originally

at CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE be sure to see the discussion given there.

On 2019-02-01 by (mod) - I was asked to work in a crawl space with no protetive gear

Since there could be various dusts and airborne particles in addition to insulation that could be irritating or harmful, it would make sense to wear appropriate protective gear: eye, respiratory, clothing.

If the space is limited in size and access there are also OSHA regulations about entering such a space and about working alone (don't do it).

On 2019-02-01 by Zachary

i have a question for anybody that can awnser it soon.

so recently i was asked to work in a crawl space that has old insolation down there but i was not given any personnel protective equipment or a breathing apparatus or filtration mask. should i decline the order to go work down there without proper protective equipment?

On 2017-05-09 by (mod) -
An inspector isn't required to enter ANY area that she or he feels has a health, safety, or similar reason not to do so

Sandra:

An inspector isn't required to enter ANY area that she or he feels has a reason not to do so, such as safety or accessibility - some inspectors use that as an excuse to speed their job and simplify it while others do their best to take a look; at the very least one would inspect from the access opening, and one would tell you what concerns or risks could be present or are likely to be present and what to do about them.

I'm unclear what sort of "tile" blocked the crawl entry - doesn't sound like much of an obstacle.

Take a look at the inspector's report, ask for advice about the crawl area, or arrange for access to the crawl area and then ask the inspector to return - perhaps the seller should pay that cost of the re-visit IF the seller refused to make the area accessible before.

The more difficult a seller makes it for me to access an important area like crawl spaces the more scared I am that there is something costly being hidden.

If I could never gain access I would consider the possible costs of hidden problems, structural, plumbing, mold, water entry, in deciding what I'd be willing to pay for the home.

On 2017-05-09 by Sandra

My inspector couldn't get into the crawl space from the outside access, and he isn't a large man.

Also the sellers refuse remove the tile that is blocking the inside access to the crawl space. Now we are out the money or have to put in more money to get a thinner inspector according to what our agent suggest. Isn't it the sellers duty to make sure the crawl space is accessible?

On 2017-03-26 by (mod) - safety risk to occupants of building with sewage in crawl area

James it's a very important and correct-to-ask question, but not one that anyone with any experience would be comfortable answering by a brief one-line e-text.

The answer is: probably yes IF the cleanup is being done absolutely correctly by a professional - that may include using negative air machines and dust containment to be sure that sewage-pathogens on dust are not sent upstairs in rising crawlspace air that leaks through even the tiniest crack.

Extra caution is in order if there are particularly vulnerable people (elderly, asthmatic, immune impaired, infant, etc) in the home.

Extra caution is in order to avoid contaminating any HVAC equipment in the area.

On 2017-03-26 by James

Is it unsafe for residents to live in the home when a crawl space is being cleaned from a sewage bill due to a broken sewer line

On 2017-03-02 by (mod) - is the open crawl space a danger zone?

Kim

The answer to your question would be site-specific. Most crawl spaces are entered from a building wall or from a basement area - it'd be tough to fall into one.

On 2017-03-01 1 by Kim

Should the open crawl space be considered a danger zone and should installer but up cones or tape so no one falls in

On 2017-02-01 by (mod) - standard to put down plastic in the crawl area?

Sounds reasonable, but I am left worried about the effects on the building of a wet crawl space.

If crawl space areas wet and there's no plastic over the soil or if there's water entry into the crawl space, it seems to me that there is a risk of mold contamination rough or insect attack in that part of the structure.

On 2017-02-01 by Stevie

Hello, is it standard practice to put plastic over an old (not in use) crawlspace door when laying carpet and pad over the door and surrounding hardwood floor?

I understand caulk can be used to keep moisture from under the house away from the carpet, but would laying plastic over the door be more effective?

On 2016-07-30 by (mod) - illness symptoms after working in crawl area

Marlon:

FIRST see your doctor. Some tick bites such from a tick that carries Lyme Disease require treatment and if untreated can cause serious health problems. If you are not confident in your doctor's familiarity with insect bites ask for a referral to a specialist.

Your rights are something I cannot address as I don't know; take that question to an attorney, labor lawyer, or similar expert.

Also you can contact OSHA directly.

Call OSHA for help at 1 (800) 321-6742

On 2016-07-30 by Marlon L

I performed a site visit inspection on an old house for structural issues. I was told to Check the footing piers and floor joist condition thru a crawl space. All they gave me was a coverall and no other protection gear.

A day after my wife found a tick at the back of my head scalp and have some body aches and pains with low fever but not too sick to work. Then the next day, the body aches and pains with low to high fever.

I went to work but could not function well. I told my boss I am too sick to work. He was mad but eventually told me to go home. He even said sarcastic remarks that he was not happy of my sickness because of him loosing time and money.

What are my rights? My doctor told me to rest and get back to him if it gets even worst.

On 2016-03-21 by (mod) - not legal to dump sewage in the crawl space

Lula

I don't know where you live but in most parts of the world you're not permitted to pee and poop into the crawl space beneath your home: it is unsanitary and unsafe, risking in my opinion health and even explosion hazards.

I'd ask for help from the local health department. And personally I'd not live in such a place.

On 2016-03-20 by Lula Clements

Help I need advice. Feb. 21, 2016 I moved into a duplex newly renovated, paint, new carpet kitchen flooring, bathroom fixtures etc. Looked really nice but soon I began to have headaches from strange odars coming from kitchen and bathroom areas.

Yesterday an inspector arrived and after crawling under the house informed me of a holding tank which ammounts to a hand dug square hole in the dirt is holding all the water runoff from both rental units including feces and urine .....is that legal? If not what should I do and how fast should I move out ?

My apartment is affected more than the other since that cesspool is located right underneath my kitchen and laundry area.
Flustered ..

On 2012-11-27 0 by (mod) -

Mike see my comments and links I've added on sewage cleanup - at the top

of CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE

On 2012-11-26 by Michael

How do you clean up and dry out a sewage filled cral space?

Question: problem of limited access space for crawl space inspection

We are allowed only 18 inches of clearance. Many times is much lower and we can't give the client the needed inspection on the subflooring and integrity of the foundation.

HELP! This is ia major problem. I probably "dig out" several times a week. - Don Harvey 9/25/12

Reply:

I agree, Don.
In other articles in the crawl space series

starting at CRAWL SPACE ACCESS

I discuss this problem in detail and make some suggestions.

Question: does light prevent mold growth in a crawl space

does light stop mold - Mike 11/19/12

Reply:

Mike, generally, no, though mold species vary in their light preferences, some don't mind light a bit and grow readily on indoor wood or drywall surfaces exposed to both natural and artificial light.

Question: how do you clean up sewage in a crawl space

How do you clean up and dry out a sewage filled crawl space?

Reply:

Mike,

The leak is fixed, sewage and top layers of soil (if it's a dirt crawl) are removed, and the entire area sanitized.

Details are at SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO

Also see CRAWL SPACE SEWAGE CLEANUP

Also see SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in BUILDINGS - home

...

Continue reading at CRAWL SPACE ACCESS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CRAWL SPACE DEBRIS
• BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

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CRAWL SPACE SAFETY FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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