If the lower living floor borders a crawl space and is (partly) fitted with a concrete and/or stone or wooden floor: if possible, you can assess some structural issues regarding the floors, foundation, sewerage and other items present below ground level in the crawl space.
If the floor hatch is condensing on the underside, this is an early indicator that the entire ventilation system in the crawl space isn't functioning optimally. With a wooden floor hatch, this condensation will naturally damage the material and weaken the hatch. If a stone-like floor hatch is installed, this condensation won't harm the floor hatch.
It's possible that an asbestos crawl space hatch is present. The hatch can be removed yourself and easily replaced with wooden paneling. If you want to be certain whether it's asbestos-containing, you can hire a certified company to conduct an asbestos inventory. Only then can you be completely certain whether or not asbestos is present in your home. Depending on the type of asbestos, an action plan can be developed to remove it if necessary.
If there's no access to a crawl space under a stone ground floor, or it's unclear whether or not a crawl space exists below it, the entire property is excluded from an inspection and you cannot assess it. Any abnormalities in the foundation, sewer system, soil structure, or other unspecified structural issues or defects below this floor level cannot be assessed if access is unavailable!
If water is standing on the floor in (part of) the crawl space, in most cases it's groundwater, and therefore difficult to remove. This water naturally creates a humid environment in the crawl space. Ventilating the crawl space is now even more important than ever. A damp crawl space condenses on the underside of the floor and therefore poses a risk to a stone or concrete floor structure.
If the crawl space is not adequately ventilated, the climate is also poor. There is a risk of condensation on the underside of the floor structure. Therefore, the crawl space ventilation must be improved by making better use of existing ventilation options, removing any contamination, or installing some renovation ventilation shafts.
If the (concrete and/or stone) floor structure is wet on the underside, this is also not the ideal situation for such a floor. If the floor is fully insulated on the underside and the concrete is not visible, condensation poses less of a risk to the concrete structure. We still recommend taking measures to improve the climate and reduce condensation.
A crawl space must be well-ventilated. If the ventilation openings are contaminated, they will not function optimally. This can potentially affect the climate in the crawl space. If possible, the contamination should be removed from the existing ventilation openings.
If the crawl space is poorly, insufficiently, or not at all ventilated, simply removing contamination (if that's even possible) from existing or existing ventilation systems isn't sufficient. We often recommend installing several renovation ventilation shafts. These shafts are drilled diagonally through the facade from the outside into the crawl space. A shaft with a cover plate is then inserted, allowing the crawl space to properly ventilate. The building inspection report provides a detailed account of the findings, and in addition to repair recommendations, you'll also receive a cost breakdown for both the immediate and long-term costs , as well as extensive advice on how to improve the deficient situation.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
