Repairing A Crawl Space Foundation

Table of Contents

1. What Is A Crawl Space Foundation
2. Most Common Causes Of Crawl Space Foundation Problems
3. Signs Your Crawl Space Might Need Repair
4. Repairing A Crawl Space Foundation
5. A Drain Tile System Will Help Keep Your Crawl Space Dry
6. Crawl Space Encapsulation Plus A Dehumidifier Kicks It Up A Notch
7. How To Prevent Crawl Space Foundation Problems

Are you a homeowner looking for information about repairing a crawl space foundation? If so, you’ve landed on the right page. In this article, we’ll outline basic information about why it’s essential for homeowners to make sure their crawl space foundation is in tip-top shape. We’ll explain the most common causes of problems with crawl space foundations, give you information about repair options, and offer advice on how you can even prevent foundation trouble.

What Is A Crawl Space Foundation

If you live in a home with a crawl space foundation, there will be a space under the living area from 1.5-3 feet high or just enough room to crawl around but not stand up. The area is held up using support beams, girders, and joists.

Homeowners like crawl space foundations because they offer easy access to the home’s plumbing and electrical wiring for repairs. However, that doesn’t mean crawl space foundations are without their downsides.

Most Common Causes Of Crawl Space Foundation Problems

Crawl space foundations – like any other foundation – can develop problems. The most common causes of crawl space foundation issues include the following:

Scheduling an annual inspection will ensure you catch crawl space issues early before they have a chance to turn into big problems that will cost a lot of money to fix.

Check Out A Crawl Space Foundation Inspection!

Signs Your Crawl Space Might Need Repair

Signs you might need to take a closer look at your crawl space include the following:

• The humidity level in your home is rising – This could be a sign there’s excess moisture in your crawl space. If so, this could cause a lot of problems if left unaddressed.
• Your floors are uneven, squeaky, bouncy, or all three!
• Furniture shakes when you walk by.
• You’ve noticed unexplained increases in the cost of energy – Humid air is harder to heat and cool, and an increase in humidity might be a sign there’s excess moisture in the crawl space.
• Wall or Tile cracks
• There’s mold on the baseboard or floor above the crawl space – This is a sign that there might be mold in the crawl space starting to make its way into your home’s living area.
• Condensation
• One or more crawl space walls are bowing inward – This might be caused by poor drainage, which has allowed hydrostatic pressure to build up and push against the foundation wall.
• Your home smells musty

If you identify any of these indicators – or anything else that seems suspicious – contact a foundation repair professional right away to schedule an inspection. Catching crawl space problems early will save you money on repair costs.

Repairing A Crawl Space Foundation

Repairing a crawl space foundation often involves simply replacing the support piers or installing screw jacks to lift the floor. The pier blocks are usually in good condition, so they don’t need to be replaced. For more information, see Crawlspace Jacks: What Homeowners Need To Know.

If You Spot A Crawl Space Issue, Don’T Wait To Take Action

If you notice an issue with your home’s crawl space foundation, it’s essential to take action immediately before the problem gets any worse. We also recommend leaving any necessary crawl space foundation repairs to qualified experts with the expertise and tools required to get the job done right. Unless you’ve done this kind of work before, we don’t recommend DIY crawl space repair. A professional foundation repair team will ensure your crawl space is repaired correctly.

A Drain Tile System Will Help Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

Nothing beats a drain tile system if you’re looking for the best crawl space waterproofing solution. Drain tile prevents excess moisture from building up in the ground around the foundation. There are two types of drain tile systems, exterior and interior. Both can be installed in existing homes. If you are located in the Bay Area and need drainage or think you may have a drainage issue, we highly recommend our great friends over at Bay Drainage.

Crawl Space Encapsulation Plus A Dehumidifier Kicks It Up A Notch

Many homeowners with crawl space foundations also choose to encapsulate the crawl space and then add a dehumidifier. Crawl space encapsulation involves sealing all vents and covering the floor and walls of the crawl space with a thick, vapor-retarding barrier. The result is a clean, dry crawl space that can even be used to store things like tools and holiday decorations.

How To Prevent Crawl Space Foundation Problems

The best way to prevent crawl space foundation problems is to ensure good drainage around the foundation. When there’s no excess moisture in the soil around the foundation, this greatly reduces the chance of crawl space trouble. Here are some ways to keep water away from your home’s foundation:

• Clean your gutters regularly to ensure they’re not clogged with dead leaves and other debris. You don’t want water spilling over the side of your house and soaking the ground around the foundation.
• Use downspout extensions to carry runoff away from the foundation.
• Don’t plant flowers, shrubs, and other vegetation types right next to the house because they need water.
• If necessary, regrade your yard, so it slopes away from the foundation. This will ensure that water doesn’t drain toward the foundation.
• Install a drain tile system. When it comes to crawl space waterproofing, this is the best solution by far.

If you’re looking for professional help repairing a crawl space foundation, contact Bay Area Underpinning today. We serve all of Northern California.

Steve Egloff

Founder of Bay Area Underpinning

Steve is the Founder of Bay Area Underpinning, a foundation repair company serving the San Fransisco Bay Area, California. Bay Area Underpinning was founded in 2005 with the goal of providing a cost-effective, engineered solution to foundation settlement problems with an emphasis on educating customers to make them feel comfortable with the various methods of foundation repair.

More Resources

Crawlspace Beam, Girder and Joist Problems: How to Repair

Beam vs girder: What's the difference? What are joists? How do you repair beam, girder, and joist problems in crawl spaces?

Signs Your Home Might Need Crawl Space Support Posts

Crawl space support posts are vertical columns – made of steel, wood, or concrete – that support houses with crawl spaces.

Crawl Space Jacks: What Homeowners Need To Know

Crawl space jacks are a common repair solution designed to lift sagging crawl spaces. They’re strong, adjustable, and come in various sizes and weight capacities.