10 Reasons to Clean Your Florida Crawl Space

Some people in Florida neglect their crawl spaces, so simple problems that would otherwise take a few hours to fix and less than a couple of hundred dollars require full-scale crawl space repairs. In the end, homeowners find themselves spending more time and money than they had planned. Routine cleaning will ensure your crawl space doesn’t fall into a state of disrepair.

Here are several reasons why you should always clean your crawl space.

1. It Helps Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

A damp crawl space sets the stage for many problems. Cleaning ensures your crawl space remains a damp-free zone. To ensure moisture levels remain low, consider installing a dehumidifier and waterproofing the space. Ask your local foundation and crawl space contractor to assist you with waterproofing and dehumidification.

2. It Prevents Mold and Mildew Growth

By taking care of the dampness problem, you will also prevent mold and mildew from taking over your crawl space. Both are hazardous as they trigger serious allergies, worsen your asthma and cause respiratory problems. Cleaning this space keeps mold and mildew out of your home so you and your loved ones will live and breathe easy.

3. It Helps Prevent Pests Infestation

If you notice more pests and insects in your home, chances are they’re coming from the crawl space. Rats and termites thrive in damp, dirty, and dark areas. When they infest your crawl space, you can be sure they will chew off your clothing, destroy your furniture and contaminate your food.

Remember, rats will also introduce fleas. And you all know how much of a nuisance they are when they cling to your clothes. Not sure if you’re ready to endure the bites and intense scratching? By cleaning your crawl space, you will make your home less attractive to pests.

4. It Creates Extra Storage Space

Many people go to great lengths to create space in their already packed homes. Cleaning the crawl space can help create more storage for useful stuff such as tools, old clothes, or the extra shoes you are thinking of giving to charity.

5. It Eliminates Musty Odors

A dirty crawl space is going to attract crawling insects and pests such as cockroaches and rats, whose droppings can build up and cause an awful stench. Molds, mushrooms, and dampening will also contribute to the strong odors that air fresheners cannot mask. Cleaning the crawl space helps you rid your home of foul odors and at the same time improves the quality of indoor air.

6. It Protects Your Foundation

A crawl space sits at the very foundation of the house. When it floods or gets damp, wood joists will rot and foundation walls get weaker. This may cause your house to cave in, putting the lives of your family in danger. Routine cleaning will remove water and keep your beams, joists, and foundation walls dry and strong.

7. It Saves Money on Repairs and Energy Bills

Crawl space cleaning will ensure you replace damaged insulation and get rid of the dampness. In turn, this improves the cooling and heating efficiency of your home, greatly reducing the power draw needed to achieve your thermostat setting.

8. It Gives You Peace of Mind and Protects Your Loved Ones

A clean crawl space will let you sleep and live in peace. You won’t have to worry about as many pests or crawling insects, or moisture and its devastating effect on your home. Flood control will also assure you that even when you are on holiday away from home, your home is safe and protected from flood damage.

These are enough reasons why you should maintain a clean crawl space and how important it is to make crawl space cleaning chores a hobby. Now face your fears, go down there and make it sparkle.