What Our Inspection Covers
We suit up and go all the way in — not a flashlight wave from the hatch. We check moisture levels in the wood and the air. We look for mold on the joists and subfloor. We check for standing water, water stains, and drainage problems. We look at the condition of the insulation, the vapor barrier if there is one, the vents, the ductwork, and the structural wood. You get photos of everything we find, good and bad.
A Straight Answer, Not a Sales Pitch
Here is our rule: if your crawl space is in good shape, we tell you it is in good shape. Plenty of DC crawl spaces just need a watchful eye, not a five-figure project. When there are real problems, we show you the photos, explain what they mean in plain language, and lay out your options — from the minimum fix to the full solution. You decide. No pressure, no scare tactics.
Good Times to Get an Inspection
Buying a DC home? The general home inspection barely glances at the crawl space — get a specialist look before you close. Smelling mustiness? Seeing your energy bills climb? Noticing bouncy floors? Those are all inspection triggers. And if it has been years since anyone looked under your house, a checkup is cheap peace of mind.
How It Works
Step 1 — You reach out. Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form. We schedule a time that works for you.
Step 2 — We go under. Full crawl-through with photos and moisture readings. Usually 45 to 90 minutes.
Step 3 — You get the report. Photos, findings, and a written plan with options. Free, no obligation.
What We Measure
We take wood moisture readings with a meter — that number tells us whether the framing is in the safe zone or feeding mold and rot. We check relative humidity in the air. And we document water entry signs. Numbers beat guesses, and you get to see them all.
What the Moisture Meter Tells Us
We carry a pin-type moisture meter and take readings on joists, beams, and subfloor throughout the space. Wood moisture content tells a story numbers cannot hide: dry framing sits in a safe range, while elevated readings mark active moisture problems and the highest readings flag rot risk. We map the readings across the space, which often reveals the pattern — wettest near the uphill wall, say, or worst under the bathrooms. That pattern points straight at the source, which is what the fix targets.
The Photo Report: What You Get
Every inspection ends with a photo report: pictures of each problem area with plain-language captions explaining what you are looking at and why it matters. No jargon, no blurry shots — we photograph with the report in mind. You keep the report whether you hire us or not. Homeowners use it to get second opinions, to negotiate with sellers, to show a spouse what is going on down there, or just to understand their house. It is yours.
Can You Inspect a Crawl Space No One Can Fit Into?
Some DC crawl spaces are brutally tight — eighteen inches of clearance under an old rowhouse is not unusual. We inspect those too. Our crew is equipped for confined spaces, and where a human genuinely cannot go, we say so honestly rather than guessing. In practice, if the original builders got in there (and they did — the house exists), we can get far enough to assess it. Tight spaces just take longer, not a different standard.
Call (301) 679-9193 to schedule your free inspection.