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Hazardous crawl space entry locked and labeled (C) Daniel Friedman InspectApedia.comCrawl Space Safety

Checklist of Unsafe Crawl Space Conditions

This article lists potentially dangerous or unhealthy 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, located on the Vassar College campus (Poughkeepsie NY) is locked and carries two CRAWL SPACE WARNING LABELS [image file] warning of asbestos hazard, protective gear rquired, and thus, crawl space access restrictions.

At a property inspection, the decision to enter or not a crawl space or any other area that the inspector may believe is unsafe or inaccessibble is made by the inspector on the scene, not by anyone else.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Crawl Space Safety for Home Inspectors

Wet crawl space unsafe to enter © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comIs the crawl space safely accessible, or accessible at all?

A number of conditions besides the old saw "accessibility" or size of the crawl space opening should be considered carefully by the home inspector, electrical inspector, or anyone who is deciding if it is safe to enter an crawl area anywhere in a building.

[Click to enlarge any image]

This article provides a list of some safety and health considerations that the building or home inspector or anyone else should evaluate before deciding to enter a crawl space.

Separately at CRAWL SPACE ACCESS we describe codes & standards for accessing building crawl spaces and we describe methods used to enter or inspect crawl areas that are not accessible by normal means of an available hatch or opening or that lack adequate safe space for entry.

If the crawl space has areas of puddles or standing water or even if the soil surface is simply wet there is risk of electrical shock (if wiring or electrical devices are present).

There may also be a chemical contamination risk, especially in older buildings where pesticides may have been applied in the crawl area.

Sewage backup under a home

An iffy crawl space © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com


Asbestos in crawl area © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Mold on framing in a crawl space © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com


Entry to a tight crawl space © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Collapsing structure in a crawl space © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Examples of Crawl Space Safety Gear for Entering Crawl Spaces & Mold Contaminated Areas

Examples of protective clothing and gear for crawl space entry © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comThese crawl space safety suggestions are not an exhaustive inventory of all safety procedures nor gear should be used when entering a crawl space. Additional protective equipment and even accompaniment, breathing apparatus, and rescue gear may be required according to building structure, safety, and other conditions.

Soft hat for head protection in tight spaces © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com Hard Hat for crawl spaces © Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Readers whose crawl space or basement have been flooded should also

see FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-priorities.


...

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

Or see CRAWL SPACE SAFETY FAQs - questions & answers posted originally on this page

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

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


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to CRAWL SPACES

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Comments

Maria · Jan 20, 2023

I posted regarding the crawlspace in my apartment where someone is up there all night, every night. This is be behind my air filter located above the fridge. The building is 13 years old
Does this space look fairly new??

Maria · Jan 20, 2023

I moved into an apartment on 8/5/22. I'm on the 3rd floor in a 3 story building. I starting hearing walking above me . It appears the path sounds like the wall between myself and neighbor, that leads to my outside porch would be an entrance/exit. I have 9ft and 7ft ceilings. The path through seems to be along the low ceilings. My apartment is 1bd/1bath, with a small closet, a bathroom/tub/large walk in closet, which is the room with the 7ft ceiling, except for the large walk in closet. It's like I have roommates. I've called the police. They don't dare. I asked the manager if they were doing work up there. She was very defensive, and said no. Some one is up there every night all night. I feel the apartment swaying, and the path taken, now makes all kinds of noise. This started happening after I found some strange substance. The 1st time I saw it was all over the carpet in my be room. On the stove, dishwasher, fridge, microwave. You can't see it with the naked eye. I have an area violet light because I'm a clean freak, and I just have to know what my surroundings are. This was not there when I moved in. I checked every day if I left the apartment. So it was the 6 day of living there. I'm going to post many things in the sections the MANY horrifying stuff that's happening.. so please look for my postings soon to follow in carpet stains, thermal ghosting, and possibly more. I'm going to put some pictures here. Please, if anyone knows anything about what's in these photo, let me know. I will be checking.

InspectApedia Publisher (mod) · Jan 20, 2023

@Maria,

I'm so sorry that we can't be more helpful, but I can't make anything out of that photo.


You want to be sure not to get so worried about topic A that you miss topic B that might be more-urgent. This is especially so when you have a lot of concerns.

It sounds as if you need a building expert or home inspector on-site to review the home and to help you set priorities of action based on things that are

- unsafe
- causing rapid costly damage
or
- flat don't work or don't work with sufficient reliability

And remember to start with your doctor when reviewing health concerns. Find a doc whom you trust and listen to her advice.

Maria · Jan 21, 2023

@InspectApedia Publisher, Thank for replying. My biggest issue is what is this stuff that can 9nly he seen with my ultraviolet light? I am on disability, living in affordable housing. I have ask HUD, Affordable Housing, and the health dept. The health department doesn't come out. I have filed a police report at my home so they could view this strange substance. The only way for me to show this is with ultraviolet light. I would love to hire an inspector, but my rent, utilities, etc devour my monthly check. Any suggestions 9f a service that can help? I am only one person with a lot of bizzare stuff happening. I apologize for being all over the map.

I didn't realize you could only send 1 photo. Can you tell me which picture you can't make anything out of? I will go the ultraviolet light section for the strange substances. The other picture is just one part of the huge amount of space, basically the entire attick of the building, that I see⁰ when I pull out the air filter. I can crawl in to and walk around. I've never seen a section this size when changing a filter. Is that normal? If any has had a problem will some in their crawl space, I would like to hear what became of the it. I understand your wording, unsafe, rapid damage, and I thank you for grounding me.

InspectApedia Publisher (mod) · Jan 21, 2023

@Maria,
You can postmore photos by posting more comments.

Jean · Aug 13, 2021

Hello, Should all the piers below a mobile home be locked? Or is it sufficient to have 18 of 50-ish locked - on a permanent foundation?

Please advise.

Thanks so much!

Anonymous · May 2, 2022

@Jean,

Please explain what you mean by locked. Do you mean concrete blocks that are dry stack rather than cemented together or do you mean a without a footing or do you mean missing tie-downs?

danjoefriedman (mod) · Jan 12, 2020

Jandy

If I were in your situation I'd start by having a careful conversation with my two dogs' veternarian to be sure to obtain an accurate account of what happened to my pets.

If the vet agrees that something in your home environment was the principal cause, having that in writing would be useful.

If the issue is then insects entering the home, the next step is to get help from a licensed pest control official or PCO or "exterminator" as they used to call themselves.

Ask your PCO for help with

1. exterminating or getting rid of insect pests
2. identifying where additional screening or sealing of openings in the building are needed

Before asking the home manufacturer or set-up crew to "fix" anything you want to have very specific and credible statements of exactly what's wrong as well as some evidence that what's needed is a reasonable part of the home seller's or set-up crew's responsibility.

Jandy davis · Jan 12, 2020

You would think if you paid 7000 down on a home and put your land up too that Clayton home would make sure it was right

Jandy Davis · Jan 12, 2020

I brought a mobile home from Clayton homes I started having biting flys come where the vents in the floors have holes or where ever they can .when the mobile home was set up it was set up below the yard where all moisture or water gose under the house why would inspection past on this home I have had two dogs die from infection I have bites all over as well please help

danjoefriedman (mod) · Feb 1, 2019

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).

Zachary · Feb 1, 2019

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?

 

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