Crawl Space Repair FAQ

There is no one size fits all approach. The solution to remove moisture from your crawl space needs to be designed specifically to address your issues and to accomplish your goals.

A crawl space is an unoccupied, unfinished, narrow space within a building, between the ground and the first floor. The crawl space is so named because there is typically only enough room to crawl rather than stand.

There are ways to fill it in but it is not cost effective to do so. You can also turn it into a basement but it is a difficult, expensive process to do so.

Similar to a basement. An interior drainage system, sump pump, and crawl space encapsulation system is the best way to address.

There is no one size fits all approach. The solution to waterproof your crawl space needs to be designed specifically to address your issues and to accomplish your goals.

• Removed Damaged Wood: All wood that shows decay or visible fungus should be removed.
• Remove Materials Near Damage: Plaster, paneling, linings, and ceilings around the dry rot areas should also be removed.
• Wire brush Affected Area: Using a wire brush, loose material is removed from all surfaces including metal, masonry, and pipes. Resulting dust and debris is removed as well.
• Disinfect area: A disinfectant is applied to all wood, masonry, and exposed soil.
• Rebuild: Substantially rot-damaged beams, joists, and posts are replaced with pressure-treated wood.

Likely any wood that has damage from dry rot needs to be replaced. In fact, there is up to a 75% loss in the toughness of the wood with just a 1% decrease in the weight of the wood.

It really depends on the amount of the damage. But factoring in the deconstruction, the replacement of the damaged wood, clean-up of affected areas, and whether you do-it-yourself or hire professionals, the cost of repairing wood rot, can be significant.

It can lead to future problems with dry rot if it is not treated properly. It will not get better on its own.

The short answer is, "Yes." But if you remove previously damaged wood and other materials, remove the source of moisture and humidity and treat the remaining wood with a chemical the hinders the growth of wood rot, you may stop the growth of further rot.

Probably not. Wood damaged by wood rot is not salvageable and should be replaced as soon as possible to keep the rot from spreading.

If your structural support beams are rotted, a sister beam of new wood may be installed along the old one to add structural strength. Be sure to remedy the source of wood and use treated wood to prevent a future incursion.

A lot depends on whether you're hiring a professional or doing-it-yourself. It also depends on the length and width of the wood you're replacing and the difficulty of replacement — for example, do you have to tear up the floor to access.

Wood rot is caused by a type of mold or fungal growth which eats away at your floor joists' strength and ultimately its load-bearing capabilities. The fungal growth that causes dry rot begins as a spore before it starts growing in high-humidity environments, such as the crawl space of your home.

In a word, "Yes." Any kind of mold or fungus spores can compromise your respiratory health. Left untreated, it can develop into wood rot and weaken the structural integrity of the home and ultimately cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

There are many opinions out there on the internet about opening them in the summer and closing them in the winter. Our opinion is simple and that is close them — all the time. Seal off your crawl space from the humidity and crawling things. We go a step further by saying you should encapsulate your crawl space, entirely.

Mold can begin growing in the right conditions within 24-48 hours. And, there is up to a 75% loss in the toughness of the wood with just a 1% decrease in the weight of the wood. So, the short answer is "really quickly" if you don't take the appropriate action to remedy the situation.

Moisture is the enemy of your home. It can cause tons of structural damage, mildew, and mold to appear no matter where the leak has been sprung if it's not treated. A vapor barrier helps protect against this.

Cost varies. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate!

Vapor barrier options vary and should be chosen based on home specifics, by a trusted expert.

That is dependent on your crawl space and should be determined based on your home's needs.

No. Gravel can cause punctures inside your crawl space.

Every crawl space is different and requires different things. Let our experts provide the best options for you by contacting us today.

The crawl space foam insulation materials we install are designed to work seamlessly with our crawl space encapsulation and drainage systems to ensure a dry, healthy, comfortable crawl space.

Our experts look at a variety of factors to determine if, and how, to insulate your respective spaces.

The U.S. Department of Energy's recommendations vary depending on the climate in which your home resides.

The best methods takes into account many factors. To see which option is best for you, give us a call today to get a free inspection!

The decision to use faced vs. unfaced insulation is best determined by one of our experts in a free assessment of your home's needs.

Yes, they can and they do.

The SaniDry™ Sedona crawl space dehumidifier offers giant performance in a small package. It's the world's most efficient, high-performance dehumidifier, without a bulky heat exchange core. The Sedona easily fits in small crawl spaces, yet has a powerful blower to effectively dry large crawl spaces.

Call for a free quote to meet your needs and budget today!

Price is dependent on a multitude of factors. Call us for a free consultation and assessment of your property today!

Yes. Once in your crawl space, warm air condenses and leaves standing water before it works its way up and out of your home. Known as the stack effect, this process will worsen over time and create mold and wood rot in your crawl space while also hurting your energy efficiency.

It may be. Rebates, deductions, etc. are based on current government energy initiatives and vary based on date and location.

We use the Supportworks SmartJack System, which is designed specifically for use as a supplemental support in a crawl space, to shore up sagging joists and beams and to be used in conjunction with the existing column.

Each situation is different. Sure-Dry's crawl space specialists are trained to expertly diagnose crawl space problems. They use highly specialized equipment that allows them to develop a solution tailored to your home's unique needs.

We use the Supportworks SmartJack System, which is designed specifically for use as a supplemental support in a crawl space, to shore up sagging joists and beams and to be used in conjunction with the existing column.

The size of the jack depends on the size of home, extent of the issue, etc. One of our experts can assess your property and provide the best solution.

Cost is determined by many different factors. Contact us today for your free estimate!

We do not recommend lifting a house on your own. A design specialist can assess and recommend the best options for all of your needs.

Yes, you should. All crawl spaces should be completely sealed and isolated from moisture in the air and from the ground.

Yes. Insulating your crawl space in the long run will save money, be more efficient and provide a safer environment in your home.

We offer a variety of options for heating and insulating your crawl space. An on-site assessment of your crawl space and the best solution for you can be provided by one of our experts.

The purpose of encapsulation is to reduce the moisture in your crawl space, reducing your risk of mold. It also makes for cleaner air in your crawl space, which you share air with.

Price varies due to many factors. Please call us for the most accurate quote.

Yes. Crawl space encapsulation can make your home more efficient for heating and cooling, therefore reducing energy costs among other benefits.

An encapsulated crawl space provides protection against dangerous radon gas as it provides a barrier to prevent radon gas from accumulating in the crawl space.

No. Concrete is porous, therefore it allows moisture to travel through. Crawl space encapsulation instead can reduce radon levels and prevent moisture damage.

Yes. Products like our crawl space dehumidifier and ventilation fan will ensure that your home has clean, dry air, and help protect your crawl space from mold and other damage.