FAQ
Is the presence of Radon Gas a concern here in the Willamette Valley?
Yes, it can be. There are homeowner tests available at the big box stores. We test using electronic equipment that is left for several days to a week to get an indication of the Radon levels present in a crawl space.
Are there ways to reduce the mold levels in my home?
Yes, an important factor in reducing mold and mildew is controlling moisture levels in the crawl spaces, attics and basements. We can increase the ventilation, change the ventilation patterns, and properly install vapor barriers, drains, and sump pumps as part of a crawl space remediation, restoration and clean out service.
What kinds of damage can I expect if I have rats, mice and other animals living in my attic or crawl space?
Rats and Mice chew on things. They love to chew certain kinds of wiring, and plastics because the wiring insulation is made from vegetable oils. Many house fires have been caused by rats and mice chewing on the wiring. A favorite chewing target of rats is the water line that runs to the refrigerator ice maker. They also love to chew on the discharge lines from the dishwasher under the sink, a common cause of flooding water damage.
Rats and mice like to tear down insulation to build their nests. These rodents can completely destroy the insulation under a home. During a crawl space cleanup and restoration, we often see sub-floor insulation that is sagging down in the middle. These sagging spots in the insulation usually indicate a nesting area for rodents. These nest areas contain a lot of bio-hazard materials and need special handling to remove them.
Where poison baits have been used by someone else, rodent droppings and carcasses are scattered throughout the crawl space. Dead animals are removed during replacement of the vapor barrier. Replacing the vapor barrier also removes urine stains, soiled insulation and rodent droppings. Removing these hazardous materials also dramatically reduces the foul rodent odors.