Crawl space repair
Years of damp air leave a trail of problems under the floor. Here's what a repair visit usually turns up and how it's handled.
Crawl space repair covers everything that goes wrong down there besides the moisture source itself. Some of it is visible from the access door, like insulation hanging in sheets. Some of it only shows up when someone crawls the whole space with a light and a moisture meter.
What gets repaired?
- Wet or fallen insulation. Soggy fiberglass batts hold moisture against the subfloor and usually come out.
- Rotted wood. Damaged sills, rim joists, joists or subfloor sections are cut out or reinforced.
- Ductwork. Sweating, crushed or disconnected ducts are repaired, sealed or re-insulated.
- Pest damage and entry points. Gaps are sealed and damaged wood is replaced; termite treatment is a job for a licensed pest control company.
- Access doors and vents. Broken or rotted doors and vent covers are replaced.
- Storm damage. Displaced liners, wet insulation and debris are cleared after heavy rain or wind.
Find the cause, not just the damage
Replacing rotten wood and insulation without changing the conditions that ruined it just restarts the clock. Ask the company what caused the damage and what it recommends to stop it: a vapor barrier, full encapsulation, drainage or a dehumidifier.
Mold on the framing
Growth on joists is common in humid-climate crawl spaces. The fix is drying the space and dealing with the moisture source; the company can explain how it treats or cleans affected wood. If anyone in the house has health concerns, ask about it up front.
Licensing
Ask what Georgia license the company holds, especially for structural repairs. You can check a license on the Secretary of State's licensee search, and the state's consumer protection office recommends getting all promises in writing and limiting the down payment.
Pricing comes from the crawl space company, after someone has been under the house and measured it. We don't quote prices, and a number offered before anyone has looked at the space is only a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is wet insulation under the floor worth saving?
Usually not. Once fiberglass batts are soaked and sagging, they've lost much of their value and can hold moisture against the wood. Most companies remove them.
Who handles termites?
Termite inspection and treatment is done by a pest control company. A crawl space company can repair the damaged wood and help keep the space easier to inspect.
Related services
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Vapor barrier installation
- Moisture control and dehumidifiers
- Sagging floor support
More background: Lowndes County crawl space guide.
Musty smell, droopy insulation or a floor that gives underfoot?
Call and a crawl space company that works in Lowndes County will take a look under the house.