Attic and Crawl Space Services
Discover why it is important to keep your attics and crawl spaces clean. Learn about finding professional services for your attic or crawl space.While they are located in different parts of the house, attics and crawl spaces share many similarities. Both are typically created when there is extra space leftover in a home, and traditionally are used as storage spaces. You do not want to neglect either space of your house. If you do not regularly clean your attics or crawlspaces, these areas may become damaged. If left untreated, the damage can spread to other parts of your home, which typically cost several thousand dollars to repair.
Professional attic and crawl space services assist with cleaning, but they also help with other areas, including renovations. There are several ways you can expand on your attic or crawlspace, either opting for extra space or making the areas more accessible. Listed below are some of the top services for attic and crawl spaces.
Attic Cleaning
There are many risks to your home if you do not clean your attic. Many homeowners make the mistake of waiting for visible problems before cleaning their attic. It often takes a long time for attic issues to escalate and become noticeable, but once they are, it is expensive to fix. There are three common issues with unclean attics. These are, damage from leaks, rodent infestation and ruined insulation.
While it is possible to clean your attic on your own, it is recommended to hire a professional cleaner every few years. Professional attic cleaners are not only more experienced, but also have access to expensive cleaning equipment. Not only does this equipment make the cleaning go much quicker, but it provides a more thorough cleaning than traditional cleaning methods.
Professional attic cleaners know how to spot and safely dispose of contaminated insulation. They are also experienced with spotting and removing rodent infestations, using advanced vacuums with specialized bags to clean up and contain any contaminants left behind by rodents. On average, it costs between $150 and $200 for a professional attic cleaning.
Attic Improvements
Even if your attic is spotless, you can hire a professional attic company to make renovations to your attic. If you have an older attic, it is possible there are air leaks throughout your attic. Not only can this make your house cooler, but it can eventually cause damage to your home. This is because, during warmer periods, condensation gathers in the cracks, which can eventually lead to molding. A professional attic company can seal any holes or leaks. They can also install new, more efficient insulation if your home temperature constantly drops during colder seasons. Insulating or sealing an attic costs around $1,500 to $2,000, based on the size of your attic.
Another, more time-consuming option is converting your attic into a living space. In order to turn an attic into a bedroom, you must follow local building codes, which varies based on your state. In most homes, the biggest issues are requiring a full-size staircase and needing at least 7 feet of vertical clearance. If you need additional space, you can hire a construction service to build a dormer. A dormer is a roofed structure built into a vertical slope on the roof, creating more space in the attic. Adding a dormer typically costs between $2,000 to $5,000, based on your home and size of your attic.
Crawl Space Cleaning and Repairs
Like attics, crawl spaces are also prime spots for rodents to nest or mold to grow. Because they are located towards the ground, crawl spaces are more likely to attract rodents or insects. This is more likely if your crawl space has water damage, as warm, wet areas are more likely to attract insects or rodents. Cleaning out a crawlspace infestation typically costs between $200 and $500. If the infestation damaged the sealing in your crawlspace, it is expensive to replace, costing between $2,000 and $4,000.
Moisture in your crawlspace can also cause mold or fungus to grow. Both are expensive to remove, with professional cleaners charging between $1,000 to $3,000, based on the severity of the infection. Both mold and fungus can also spread throughout the rest of your home.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
If you do not want to put up with cleaning your crawl space or are worried about possible crawl space damage, consider encapsulation. When you encapsulate your crawl space, you seal up your crawl space with heavy-duty, moisture resistant barriers. You also add sealed foundation vents and a crawl space dehumidifier to reduce moisture and keep mold or fungus from growing. The cost of crawl space encapsulation greatly varies, depending on the materials you want to use and the size of your crawl space. On average, it costs between $7,500 and $15,000.
Finding Professional Attic or Crawl Space Services
The type of professional you need for your attic or crawl space changes depending on what services you need. If you want to remove mold from your attic or crawl space, hire a mold remediation company. Some of the top mold removing companies include:
If you need to seal up ductwork in your attics or crawlspace, hire an HVAC technician. The ACCA has an online database you can use to search for local technicians. If you want to make significant changes to your attic or crawl space, you must hire a home contractor. Homeadvisor has an online network where you can search for contractors.
