Causes of Crawl Space Problems

Common Causes of Crawl Space Problems

The 3 most common causes of sagging beams and floor joists are improper spacing of columns in the crawl space, excess moisture & rot, and settlement of the existing columns. 

Columns are spaced throughout the crawl space to evenly distribute the weight of the home.  If the columns are spaced too far apart, then the beam becomes overloaded, causing the floor to sag.  This causes damages to the drywall and other upstairs finishes.

Excess moisture and rot is perhaps the most common crawl space problem.  The earth beneath the crawl space is fairly consistent at about 55 degrees.  The air temperature in the home is warmer than 55, so the air in the crawl space tends to be warmer as well.  For every 1 degree the air in the crawl space is cooled, the relative humidity in the crawl space goes up by 2.2%.  This leads to a lot of excess moisture, dampness, and condensation.  The extra moisture and dark space creates the perfect condition for mold to grow and wood to rot.  If this occurs, beams and joists may begin to weaken and sag over time.  Sagging beams causes the floor to sag, resulting in drywalls cracks and other damages upstairs.

Finally, the settling of existing columns may occur due to unstable or poorly compacted soil beneath them.  The soil beneath the home is made up of multiple soil types and layers that react differently to changing conditions, such as temperature and moisture.  The soil may weaken and no longer be able to support the weight of the home.  This results in the soil settling over time, causing the columns to settle as well.  Settling columns means sagging floors, which means damages to upstairs rooms.

Woods Basement Systems has products to solve each of these problems, including the SmartJack System and the SaniDry CX.  Our experts will diagnose your crawl space problem and offer a customized solution that is right for your home.  Throughout Greater St. Louis, and St. Louis, Springfield, St. Charles, we have repaired many crawl spaces with our specially designed products.