How to clean a crawl space San Francisco
It’s unfortunate how many homeowners neglect their crawl spaces until they’re congested with wall-to-wall clutter or dirt. Besides burdening yourself with hours of back-breaking work, a disorganized crawl space may be bad for the infrastructure, energy bills and, most importantly, your family’s health.
This article will discuss proper crawl space cleaning. Though it’s tempting to jump right in and get started, there are some important tips to consider before rolling up your sleeves. For many homeowners, the process is just too laborious and time consuming, and in those cases, it may be a smart idea to invest in a professional cleaning service.
At Fixaflood, we offer a number of services to keep your home in optimal condition, including crawl space cleaning. If you’re located in San Francisco and want to leave the job to the pros, give us a call at (855) 349-2356.
Here are a few tips for proper crawl space cleaning:
1. Get the tools.
Cleaning a crawl space isn’t as simple as, say, cleaning a bedroom. That’s because the crawl space often faces different climate extremes that promote mold growth. What’s more, an oft-neglected crawl space can compile thick layers of dust, so you want to be sure you’ve got the equipment to get the job done right.
According to eHow.com, you should use the following tools to clean your crawl space:
- Tape
- Mold test kit
- Dust respirator
- Cleaning gloves
- Safety glasses
- Bleach
- Water
- Bristle brush
- Detergent
- Bucket
The importance of a mold test kit cannot be stressed enough. Mold can cause respiratory issues, especially for people with asthma. If you discover mold growth, it must be eradicated entirely to prevent it from returning. In these cases, consider investing in a professional mold-remediation service.
2. Remove all items before you begin cleaning.
It’s best to start with a clean slate. This will allow you to notice any hard-to-reach dust or mold, and it will ease the process of reorganizing stored belongings.
3. Use the mold test kit to assess air quality.
As mentioned before, mold can be extremely dangerous, and major infestations should be treated by professionals. If you notice mold, be sure to absorb any moisture, and scrub those areas with bleach and warm water.
4. Let the area dry.
Replacing stored items too quickly is a bad idea. Let the crawl space dry thoroughly; this will reduce the chance of mold growth.
At this point, most homeowners will finish up by replacing and reorganizing their belongings. However, there’s an important step missing here—one that only a professional service can provide: crawl space repair.
This involves checking for and addressing any air leaks. Over the years, this small yet vital measure could save you a fortune in energy bills.
If you’re looking for an established San Francisco crawl space cleaning service, contact Fixaflood at (855) 349-2356.