For example, take a look at this plumbing leak in the drain from the kitchen/laundry. The leak has been spraying on the concrete pier support for 30 years. One can see how it has etched the concrete----exposing the aggregate in the concrete. Now this is not a “big” leak, and not much in the way of “solids” have escaped the drain----but it still represents a very unsanitary condition in the crawl space. Bottle flies like these kinds of leaks and many were noted buzzing around the crawl space----better than rats I guess. This is just another example of why we should all inspect our crawl spaces annually. When was the last time you looked at yours? Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
Lots of shite can happen when you haven’t checked your crawl space in 30 years. 
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Charles- it's okay if I just pay the bug guy to do that instead of me doing it right? I did have a leak once at my water filter, he told me about it and I called a plumber and had it fixed. :)
Charles - That's why we need home inspectors. I don't like crawlspaces, especially those that make you "crawl" in more ways than one.
Tammy, as long as someone does it----you can't imagine what you are missing though :)
John, I think you are not alone
I have to confess that I have never been in my crawl space in the 12 years we have been in our house.
And I thought it is spelled shi'ite.
OK, I don't have a crawl space... I just wanted to be contrary.
There are advantages to having NO crawl space. I do have one but don't have the courage to crawl under it. The older the house the worse the crawlspace, I'd venture saying.
Jay, I just can't imagine you being contrary :)
Barbara, you would generally be accurate with that----time all by itself takes its toll. Of course brand new construction with a soil-pipe that some one forgot to hook up would likely be pretty bad from the get go ;)
Out of sight, out of mind is probably why most don't inspect their crawl space on a regular basis. I often wonder why the builders made it so small...but kind of glad they did so I don't have to go down there to perform my visual inspection! Ha!
You just don't hear about a lot of people bragging about how they are going to take a crawl around the crawlspace this weekend. They are just missing out.
Terri, any bigger and they might as well make a basement :)
Troy, good idea. On those hot 90 plus degree F days----just head on down to your crawl space to get cool :)
Charles - The only thing similar at my house, was when I had new central heat and air installed.
The company that instaled it, had the condensate line running up hill a tad. Instad of anything coming out of the line, the condensate was making it's way and accumulating into the plenum.
Over the course of the next 2 years, my house was becoming increasingly more humid when I ran the AC. Finally, it was a contractor doing other work at my house that revealed he had discovered a "giant green catapillar" under my house. Fortunately, the air conditioning company owned their error, and replaced the plenum, and corrected the flow for me.
Myrl, sometimes a little leak can add up to a huge problem.
Ah yes, those crawly spaces. Glad we have the pest fellow check for critters once a year and he does the crawling. Sue of Robin and Sue
Sue, good for you----wish more people where this pro-active.
One more reason to hire you! That's one creapy place I would never crawl into.
Hello Charles, Great post as always. It is amazing how a little water, detergent, etc. can eat away the aggregate! Thanks for all your tips.
hey... a blue-bottle's gotta live, don't they?
Lizette, but I swear that is where all the fun stuff is :)
Bill, thanks. That and a little time.
Alan, as long as things die, the bottle fly's job is secure I think
Mr Charles,
That is a gross photo and, if you really need to know, I check mine twice a day. Once when I get up in the morning and again as I ready for bed.
Nutsy
Nutsy and do you stick it on the bedpost at night?
Charlie,
Too bad you wrote this. Now Nutsy is checking it three times a day.
Quick, CB, send somebody to lock down Nutsy in his crawl space tonight.
Mr Charles,
Please delete Mrs Kate.
Nutsy
Charlie,
I was reading that again. In light of your natural attraction to flies, how did you notice there were more than usual buzzing overhead and below dale?
Steve, that makes no sense. You have been hanging about that nutty assistant too much. Go bash him and then come back and edit your comment for the good of AR.
Steve, why am I not surprised----he probably can't find it
Nutsy, I think he is blind by now
Nusty, not a chance
Steve, they aren't nearly as attracted to me as they are to Nutsy the last time I looked