Crawl Space Inspection, er..Observation

[Nancy in Friday Harbor]

Hi All,

Faced with a dilemna the other day.......

Crawl space access 10' back under an 18" high deck with standing water all around, pouring rain, windy, 40 degree temperature--would have required a wet suit or at least a full change of clothes afterward. 8O
I elected NOT to look into the crawl space. Of course, that was fully disclosed in the report, but I'm wondering...... :?

To what lengths will you go to inspect/observe the crawl space? :?:
How far back will you crawl on your hands and knees to have a look-see? :roll:
Will you crawl on your tummy under a really low deck?
What do builders think that the crawl space access ought to be the hardest thing to find and/or get to? :x

Would appreciate your comments/thoughts on this matter.

Cheers,

Nancy in Friday Harbor

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

If access is not reasonable, don't do it. Just say what you did do. I am extremely sensitive to insect bites....could die from them so I don't crawl in crawl spaces, even my own! Look in, shine a flash light around, etc.

 

[Nancy in Friday Harbor]

Mike, I don't crawl INTO crawl spaces...yeech!!
I just wondered to what lengths you would go to get to the door/hatch/access hole in order to peer in and shine a flashlight (or, better yet, aim your camera with its flash & poke the button)......
N.

 

[Mountain Man]

Non-FHA, you may be able to get away with the disclosure (assuming that you don't have a picky UW) and refer the task to the termite man. I don't see that as a major issue as long as it is disclosed.

But if it is FHA, then ...... Houston, we have a problem.

 

[Joe Birrell (NY)]

"readily observable" is the key phrase (even FHA uses it in their manual).

 

[Jeff Horton]

As a Home Inspector I wouldn't have done that one with extra pay! Or I would have come back and charged them again. Working as an appraiser their ain't way I am going to inspect that crawl space.

You did good. Don't worry. If they make you go back Charge them!!

 

[Les Brant]

A good strong flash/flood light from the access panel says it all. We are not paid enough to crawl around under houses, old or new. If more is wanted, the client can call "Orkin/Terminix" etc or a house inspector.

Les in Rainy Coastal Carolina

 

[jtrotta]

OK; thats great, now I don't havta git a wetsuit; for a minute, I thought some of you were going nuts

Thought they wanted you to look presentable, as your representing the Bank;
OK lady I just crawled thru all the slop under your house and I'm ready to walk thru your house and drip off some of this smelly stuff onto your new carpet, aw come on lady let me in 8O

 

[Blue1]

What's a crawl space? :lol: Seriously, disclose, disclose, disclose. Don't believe you are required to perform a feat of engineering or life threatening maneuver in order to view a crawl space. Luckily most of the newer homes in my area are on slabs........moot point there.

 

[Douglas Mackay]

I agree with the general census here...a photo of the crawl space access (under the deck) and intrepid weather conditions might not hurt, but hey...

Doug