Crawl space repair
Years of humid air, pests and the occasional flood leave damage under a house. Here's what crawl space repair typically covers.
Most people don't go into their crawl space until there's a reason: a pest report notes damage, a floor goes soft, or a storm sends water under the house. A crawl space company can find what's been damaged and repair it before working on keeping the space dry.
Which repairs come up most?
- Replacing rotted sill plates, rim joists and floor joists
- Pulling out wet, fallen or rodent-damaged insulation
- Sealing, reconnecting or replacing sweating ductwork
- Replacing a broken or rotten crawl space access door
- Closing gaps where water and animals get in
- Removing scrap wood, cardboard and other debris
Is your access door big enough?
The IRC calls for a crawl space access opening of at least 18 by 24 inches through the floor, or 16 by 24 inches through a wall. If your opening is too small, blocked or falling apart, repair crews and inspectors may not be able to get in, and a CL-100 inspector will note the areas that couldn't be reached.
What should you do after a flood?
The October 2015 flood hit Sumter County hard, with the National Weather Service placing it among the counties with the heaviest rain. When water gets under a house, it soaks insulation, leaves silt on the ground cover and drives moisture into the framing. Once it drains, have the space checked for wet insulation, damaged ducts and electrical hazards before you run any heating or cooling equipment that sits under the house.
What about mold on the joists?
Mold on crawl space framing is a sign of moisture. Cleaning it off without fixing the cause means it grows back. South Carolina's wood infestation regulation also bars fungicide sprays on the substructure until the moisture problem has been physically corrected. Ask the company what it will do about both the mold and the moisture.
Signs it's time for repairs
- A CL-100 report listing damage, decay or high moisture
- Insulation lying on the soil
- Soft, crumbly wood at the sill or joists
- Daylight or animals coming in through gaps
We don't quote prices. No two crawl spaces are alike, so the company you're connected with prices the work after someone has gone under the house, measured it and found where the moisture or damage is coming from. A figure offered over the phone before that visit is a guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is crawl space repair the same thing as termite treatment?
No. A licensed pest control company treats termites and writes the CL-100. A crawl space or framing company repairs the damaged wood. Many houses need both.
Does wet insulation have to come out?
Usually. Wet fiberglass between the joists holds moisture against the wood and rarely dries out well. The company can recommend what to replace it with once the space is dry.
Related services
More background: Sumter crawl space guide.
Musty air, sweating ducts or a floor that sinks near the bathroom?
Call and we'll connect you with a crawl space company that works in Sumter County.