Very often, when we think about maintaining our property, we focus on how everything looks inside and out. We might landscape our gardens, get our interiors decorated, and even paint the outsides of our homes.
But when was the last time you considered what lies beneath your home? Many homes have basements or crawl spaces that we often forget about. However, these are part of our property and need looking after to maintain structural integrity.
Admittedly, you probably don’t go down there much. They’re not usually the most inviting part of the home, and accessibility can be a problem too.
Have a crawl space clean up. Often, when they are neglected, your crawl spaces may attract termites. These may cause you a lot of problems if they cause damage to any supporting beams or pillars.
Dealing With Water Damage Under Your Home
Look for any signs of leaks. You will have pipes carrying clean water and sewage under your home, and getting a leak on either can spell bad news.
If water is allowed to soak into the soil beneath your home, over time, it can create quite a humid environment which will become a breeding ground for mould. Any contaminated soil will need to be removed. Leaks will need repairing, and all mould removing.
Wood rot will become a big problem for you, as it could potentially cause floors to cave in or worse. If there is any sign of decay, the wood will need replacing immediately.
When it comes to the damage water, and moisture can do to your property; prevention is cheaper than the cure. Having your pipes insulated will prevent them from cracking during any unusually cold weather. Checking for blocks in any of your gutters and downpipes regularly will prevent any overflow that might cause problems under your property. This is particularly important during the autumn when they are liable to get blocked by falling leaves.
Treat all of your wood with water-resistant paint or spray too. This will mean that if you do have a moisture problem, there will be some degree of protection for the wood.o
If you have a basement in your property, then you should avoid drying clothes in your basement. Hanging wet clothes up will create water vapor which could soak into any woodwork.
Signs Of Life Under Your Property
Look out for signs of insect nests, or any animals that may have made their homes under there. While you may not see the animals when you are down there, you might find animal feces or remains of food, that may indicate that you have visitors.
Hire a professional to come and help you remove and animals or insects. Some creatures can be rehomed quite easily without the need for extermination.
Dealing with maintenance under your property is an important task, and may require the assistance of a professional. If you are in any doubt about the condition of your crawl space or basement, get it assessed by someone in the business. It is much better to be safe than sorry.
