Wet crawl spaces and fungi spores – yucky stuff
My brother who is buying a home in another state sent me his inspection report this morning, as he’s very concerned about the dampness of the crawl space and the fungi spores discovered in the crawl space. I guess we’re all going to go through my brother’s home purchase together – like it or not!!
The inspector recommended a plastic vapor barrier be put down covering the entire crawl space, which is a common recommendation in Oklahoma also. It’s really just a heavy Visqueen used as a ground cover in the crawl space of home foundations to provide control of excess soil moisture. This inspector also recommended installing powered foundation vents to improve air movement and that all wood should be sprayed with a fungicide to improve conditions.
My brother’s wife didn’t attend inspections – she only read the 25-page report. Now she’s freaked out because she read the words “fungi” and “mold.” Honestly, those words frighten home Buyers more than anything.
The inspector recommended installation of a sump pump at the lowest level in the crawl space.
But what causes moisture in the crawl space? It does no good to fix it if you’re going to ignore what caused it.
- Is the yard sloping down so that rain run-off is going towards the home foundation?
- Does the roof extend enough to prevent water from being dumped next to the house?
- Is proper guttering installed?
Wet crawl spaces and fungi spores – yucky stuff
Water damages a home’s foundation, and it’s important to keep water away from the house. I’ve actually seen deteriorated foundations simply because the homeowner was watering landscaping planted too close to the home.
So, little brother, there is nothing alarming about the wet crawl space and fungi spores in your inspection report that can’t be fixed and prevented in the future. Follow the inspector’s repair and preventative suggestions, and you’ll be just fine.
Actually it looks like a pretty nice crawl space to me. One of the photos included in the report looked like you could almost STAND in it, which is nice to have that extra room.
When you inspect the home you are ready to purchase, don’t expect perfection if you are buying an older home. If a problem can be repaired AND prevented from occurring again, just try to work out a plan with the Seller and buy the home you fell in love with.
If competent Buyer representation is important to you, please call me when you are ready to shop for a home! 918-852-5036
Content written and published by Lori Cain.
