We have a crawlspace about 2 feet tall under the house. (Scary!) Looks like it has a black plastic barrier on the ground (which I believe is just dirt).
Water in your home's crawl space is more than just an annoyance. Standing water or even just ever-present moisture in the air can create mold problems that lead to chronic health issues for your family. At the extreme end, water in a crawlspace can lead to rot and decay that weaken structural members and make major architectural repairs necessary. Feb 25, 2009 - What do you wear when you are in the crawlspace? I knew a guy who spent a lot of time in crawls (construction repairs). He swore by his 2-3 roll-up yoga mats that he figured out from his. Work in the land of crawlspaces.
How should one dress to crawl under there, and what precautions are necessary. I'm talking about coastal North Carolina in the spring.
Is a pair of jeans and a shirt good enough or is an environmental suit of some sort necessary? I don't see bugs or anything else, but there certainly could be spiders or other things that sting, and I know the area has fire ants, although they may not be under there. But, I'd hate to disturb them. What is standard practice?
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Patrick MoloneyPatrick Moloney
6 Answers
Unfortunately I have to work in crawl spaces a lot. I don a cheap Tyvek jump suit/coveralls with a hood over my regular clothes. You can find them in the paint dept of Lowe's or HD for about $20. I also wear boots, mechanics gloves and some safety glasses. There are always some bugs, spiders, and I've met a woodchuck or two. Take a good flashlight and check ahead of you carefully to avoid any unpleasant encounters. At least we don't have poisonous snakes in Maine!!!!!! OMG!!!!! Good Luck.
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shirlock homesshirlock homes
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Pete BeckerPete Becker
Mandatory:
- Eye protection. Plastic safety glasses or something like that to prevent dirt getting into your eyes.
- Dust mask or respirator. You don't want to breathe in the dust/bad air in that area.
Recommended:
- Headlamp. This allows you to see much better in there and both hands to work with.
When I go into crawl spaces I use old clothes and sneakers that I consider disposable. Then I just throw them in the trash once the work is complete.
Jay P.Jay P.
This might sound like a sissy but if you have as motorcycle helmet with the overalls and thick gloves you can rest easy that way. Some tape from the helmet to the overalls to stop the spiders from biting your face. You'll feel invincible down there. a couple layers of clothes under the overalls. You won't even care about rats then either. The only think that might scare you is if someone else is down there already.
Sal GaliciaSal Galicia
Do NOT go down there without leather or heavy duty rubber gloves with cuffs like sanitation workers use. It's like a super power when you can just swat the black widows & brown recluses dead as soon as you see them. I second getting the Tyvek suit to protect your work clothes. Get the kind with a hood and you won't have to worry about spiders down your neck. Also, wear high-top boots, and put rubber bands around the cuffs of your pants if the Tyvek doesn't have their own stretch cuffs. This should keep the crawlies out. Eye protection is great for keeping the falling dust out of your eyes. I also like to take something like a short-handled broom to clear the way of cobwebs and anything else that might be ahead.
user45790user45790
Also, make a lot of noise before entering, to let any critters leave of their own choice. (Bang on wood or stone with hammer or the like.)
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