Attic and Crawlspace Restoration

Unfortunately, the presence of wildlife comes along with several problems. For one, wild critters leave destruction in their wake. Some will chew on wood and wires, dig burrows, and soil the insulation with their droppings. Moreover, their presence poses severe health risks, and the bodily fluids they leave give off a pungent smell that reduces air quality. 

Hence, even after getting rid of the wild critter, proper attic or crawlspace restoration is needed for a complete job. Metro Wildlife and Pest Control provide attic and crawlspace restoration for residents of South Carolina We have provided these services to thousands of clients across our service areas. 

This post explores everything you need to know about attic and crawlspace restoration. 

What is Attic Restoration?

Animals in the attic can wreak innumerable damages – from tearing off the insulation to ripping apart wires. Attic restoration reverses all the damages caused by wildlife in the attic. There is no one-fits-all approach to attic restoration because damage depends on several factors; examples include the types of animals involved, their number, and how long they’ve resided there. 

But in general, attic restoration typically involves the following process.

• Inspection

Wildlife inspection is usually the first stage. Our technicians at Metro Wildlife and Pest Control will get into your attic to determine the extent of the damage. This involves looking for soiled insulation, chewed wood, wires, damaged pipes, and even holes and vulnerable spots. 

• Clean-up

The clean-up stage involves removing the wastes associated with the wild critter. This includes eliminating droppings and nesting materials. Wearing protective clothing, gloves, and a mask/respirator is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases. A vacuum can also be used to suction smaller debris lying around. 

• Decontamination and Odor Removal

It’s not enough to only remove solid waste. It would help if you also got rid of microscopic pathogens. This can only be accomplished via decontamination. An enzyme-based cleaner is spread in the entire attic space to kill off pathogens. What’s more, a deodorizer is used to eliminate the awful lingering odor of the wild critter. 

• Wildlife Damage Repairs

Some of the significant repairs that may be required in the attic include:

1. Insulation replacement

If the waste left on the insulation material is too much, a full replacement might be required to improve your home’s heating efficiency. 

1. Wood, pipe, and wire repairs

More often than not, wood, pipes, and wires pass through the attic. This makes these materials easily accessible to wild critters for nesting material and play. Damaged wires pose a significant fire hazard. Damaged pipes result in leaks. Damaged wood compromises the structural integrity of your roof. Hence, the necessary repairs must be made. 

Crawlspace restoration

Animals like rats, raccoons, and squirrels reside in crawl spaces. They cause many problems like leaving lots of waste and digging holes. Crawlspace restoration involves reversing all the damages caused by animals in the crawlspace. The goal is to restore the porch, deck, or shed to its clean, dry, original state. Out process at Metro Wildlife and Pest Control for crawl space restoration includes:

• Inspection

Like always, inspection is the first stage. An inspection helps to determine the full extent of the problem. This includes the kinds of waste present and the extent of the damage wreaked by the animal. 

• Clean up

At this stage, we remove all waste, debris, and other materials from the crawlspace. We also eliminate stagnant water to discourage the growth of mold and bacteria. What’s more, it sets the stage for the decontamination and deodorization step. 

• Decontamination and Odor Removal

In the decontamination stage, an enzyme-based cleaner is used to eliminate pathogens. This helps ensure that your health is preserved. After that, a deodorizer is used to eliminate lingering odors. Examples of such deodorizers include coffee grounds, vinegar, and charcoal briquettes. 

• Wildlife Damage Repairs

Some of the significant repairs that may be required in the crawlspace include:

1. Sealing off holes 

Animals in the crawlspace typically dig multiple tunnels for easy accessibility to their nest and added security in case they need to escape from predators. Once you get rid of the animal, you must also get rid of such tunnels to maintain your building’s structural integrity and deter other wildlife from gaining entrance. You can use gravel to close off such holes. 

1. Vapor barrier and insulation installation

Air leakage is a significant concern with crawl spaces, which results in an uncomfortable living space. Vapor barriers and insulation can be installed to slow moisture transfer from the crawlspace to the living areas. 

1. Wood repairs

The damaged wooden structure of the building is also to be repaired to preserve your building’s foundation. 

In need of attic and crawlspace restoration? Contact us today at Metro Wildlife and Pest Control for the best possible service in South Carolina