Crawl spaces will also have insulation installed between
the floor joists above, plumbing pipes and electrical
wiring running below the floors above, and ducting for
the HVAC system to various parts of the home. Because
they are located under the home and not considered a
usable space, they are constructed with height restrictions.
These heights often are from one foot to six feet, depending
on the home. As a result, accessibility is limited and
difficult.
The entrances to these areas are often found on the
exterior of the home (a two foot by two foot hatch-like
access) or inside the home from the floor area, usually
in a closet (also a two foot by two foot hatch).
The first step in addressing a crawl space is safety.
A qualified restoration professional will assure that
the building is structurally sound and that the electrical
shock hazards have been eliminated.
Anyone entering these spaces must be equipped with
appropriate PPE. This will include a respirator, protective
clothing, rubber boots, protective gloves, eye protection,
and hard hats. It is also necessary to assure that there
are no rodents, snakes, or small animals taking refuge
in this area.
Wet insulation will need to be removed, bagged and
discarded. Any organic debris on the floor will also
need to be removed. Any pooled water must be removed
via extraction. If compromised, the vapor barrier should
then be removed.
The actual drying of the area is difficult. Air movement
is necessary, but poses a problem. If the crawl space
is over pressurized in relation to the structure above,
odors can permeate into the living space. These odors
are a result of the water and the dirt present.
|