How to Spot Poor Crawl Space Work Before It Costs You Thousands
What Every Homeowner Should Know Before Hiring a Crawl Space Contractor
The warning signs of shoddy work and what quality installation really looks like
I got called out to inspect a crawl space this week where the homeowner had already paid for encapsulation work.
They were still having moisture problems, and they wanted to know why.
The moment I got under the house, I understood.
The previous company had done the work, but they hadn't done it right.
Gaps everywhere. Poor sealing.
Drainage that couldn't possibly work. All the materials were there, but none of it was going to solve the homeowner's moisture issues.
This happens more often than you'd think.
Homeowners spend thousands on crawl space work, only to find out months later that the problems are still there - or worse, that the poor installation created new problems.
Red Flags You Can See With Your Own Eyes
You don't need to be an expert to spot some of the most common signs of poor crawl space work. Here's what I found in this space that any homeowner could identify:
Gaps around every pier. The vapor barrier should be sealed tight around each support pier. In this crawl space, there were open gaps everywhere - defeating the entire purpose of the barrier.
Terrible tape seams. Where sections of vapor barrier meet, they need to be properly sealed. These seams were barely holding, with gaps you could see from across the space.
Untreated wood. Before you encapsulate a crawl space with moisture issues, you need to treat the wood for fungal growth. This wood was never treated - you could see fungus all over the joists.
Backward drainage. The dehumidifier discharge ran down and then back up, trapping water in the line. That's a recipe for algae buildup and system failure.
Condensate pump discharge just sitting on top of the vapor barrier instead of being properly plumbed out of the space.
Vinyl tape on the walls that was already peeling off. Quality sealant lasts for years - this wouldn't last a week.
The Problems You Can't See Yet (But Will)
Here's the thing about poor crawl space work - the real problems don't show up right away. They develop over time, and by then, you've already paid for work that didn't solve anything.
Every gap in that vapor barrier is letting moisture in. Every unsealed pier is a pathway for humidity. That backward drainage setup means the dehumidifier can't do its job properly. The untreated wood will continue to develop fungal growth, even with the encapsulation in place.
In six months, this homeowner will be dealing with the same moisture issues they paid to fix. Except now they're out thousands of dollars and facing the cost of doing it all over again - the right way.
Why Some Companies Cut These Corners
Not every company that offers crawl space encapsulation actually knows how to do it properly. Some pest control companies have branched into this work because they're already under houses treating for termites. But treating for bugs and understanding moisture systems are completely different skills.
Other companies cut corners to keep prices low or speed up installation time. They use cheaper materials or skip critical steps like wood treatment. Some simply don't understand how crawl space systems work - they know how to install a vapor barrier, but not how to create a functional moisture control system.
The result is work that looks done but doesn't actually function.
What Quality Crawl Space Work Actually Includes
When we do an encapsulation, every step matters. Here's what proper installation looks like:
Complete sealing. Every pier gets sealed. Every wall gets sealed. The ground gets sealed. No gaps, no shortcuts.
Wood treatment before encapsulation. If there's fungal growth, we treat it before we seal up the space.
Proper drainage setup. Dehumidifiers and condensate pumps get plumbed correctly so water actually leaves the crawl space.
Quality materials that last. We use sealants that hold up for years, not vinyl tape that peels off in a week.
Functional lighting so you can actually see and use your crawl space.
The goal isn't just to install materials - it's to create a system that actually controls moisture and protects your home.
Get It Done Right the First Time
Look, I understand crawl space work is a big investment. That's exactly why it needs to be done right. Paying twice for the same job costs a lot more than paying once for quality work.
If you're considering crawl space encapsulation, give us a call. We'll inspect your space, explain exactly what needs to be done, and show you what quality work actually looks like.
And if you've already had work done but you're still having problems? I'll come out and give you an honest assessment of what's wrong. No judgment - just straight talk about what's right and what needs to be fixed.
Your crawl space is too important to trust to companies that cut corners.
