Eight Months Later: Proper Crawl Space Work Stands the Test of Time
Why Quality Crawl Space Repairs Last - And How to Know You're Getting Them
A return visit to a Powell rental property shows what happens when you fix the problem right the first time
I was out in Powell yesterday checking on some work we did about eight months ago.
The property owner called us back to make some adjustments to the jacks we installed, and honestly, I was excited to see how everything held up.
When I got down there, the crawl space still looked great.
The encapsulation was clean and intact. The jacks were doing their job.
Everything we did was still working exactly like it should.
That's what quality work looks like - it doesn't fall apart after a few months.
It holds up over time because it was done right from the start.
Fixing Symptoms vs. Fixing Problems
When we first came to this property, the floors upstairs were telling a clear story. The shoe molding had about an inch gap at the bottom. Drywall was cracking. Doors wouldn't close properly.
Those are all symptoms of a settling foundation. But here's what a lot of contractors miss - the settling isn't the real problem. It's what happens when moisture weakens the soil under your home or damages the wooden structure supporting your floors.
So we did two things: we stabilized the floor with jacks to fix the immediate issue, and we encapsulated the crawl space to eliminate the moisture causing the problem in the first place.
Fix both, and your repairs actually last. Fix just one, and you're back where you started in a few months.
What Proper Floor Stabilization Actually Does
Floor jacks aren't a permanent fix if you don't address what caused the problem. But when you pair them with moisture control, they work exactly like they should.
We installed jacks under this home to take the weight off the weakened areas and distribute it properly. Over time, we made small adjustments to lift the floor just enough to close those gaps and level things out - not all at once, because you don't want to crack everything upstairs trying to fix it too fast.
Eight months later, those jacks are still holding strong. The floors are stable. The gaps haven't come back. That's what proper stabilization looks like when you do it right.
Why Encapsulation Makes Structural Repairs Last
Here's the thing about moisture in your crawl space - it's not just uncomfortable. It actively works against every repair you make.
Moisture weakens wood. It softens soil. It creates an environment where your structural supports can't do their job. So if you stabilize your floors without controlling moisture, you're just buying yourself a few months before the problem comes back.
That's why we encapsulated this crawl space at the same time we installed the jacks. The encapsulation keeps moisture out, protects the wood, and gives those structural repairs a fighting chance to last.
Eight months later, everything still looks good because we eliminated the source of the problem.
The Value of Follow-Up Visits
Coming back to this property wasn't just about adjusting jacks. It was also a chance to catch problems early.
While I was down there, I spotted a septic leak the property owner didn't even know about. That's the kind of thing that can cause serious damage if it goes unnoticed for months.
Regular crawl space checks give you that early warning system. We can spot new issues, make sure your repairs are holding up, and keep small problems from turning into expensive ones.
How to Know Your Contractor Did It Right
Quality crawl space work isn't hard to spot if you know what to look for. When you come back months later, the encapsulation should still be clean and intact. The structural repairs should be holding. Nothing should look like it's falling apart or failing.
Before you hire anyone, ask them how they address moisture issues along with structural repairs. If they only want to install jacks without talking about encapsulation, that's a red flag. If they can't explain why moisture matters, find someone else.
Good contractors also follow up on their work. We want to see how our repairs hold up over time. That's how you know someone stands behind what they do.
Protecting Your Investment for the Long Haul
Your crawl space isn't something you should ignore until problems show up. Regular checks help catch issues early, and proper repairs give you peace of mind that lasts.
If you're dealing with settling floors, cracks, or gaps in your home, don't wait for it to get worse. And if you've already had work done, make sure someone's checking on it to catch new problems before they become expensive.
