The Real Cost of Cheap Crawl Space Warranties
When Companies Don't Follow Through, Homeowners Pay Twice
A crawl space inspection in Lenoir City reveals what happens when warranty promises don't mean anything
I'm out in Lenoir City today looking at a crawl space that should be in great shape.
Someone already paid to have it encapsulated.
They've got a dehumidifier installed.
On paper, everything should be working fine.
But the humidity is sitting at 83 percent.
The dehumidifier says it's defrosting, but the compressor isn't running.
Fungal growth is everywhere.
And this homeowner is about to pay for the same work twice because the company that did it the first time didn't follow through.
This is what happens when warranties are just words on paper instead of real commitments to customers.
The Warning Signs Were Everywhere
You don't need to be an expert to spot the problems in this crawl space. The signs of neglect are obvious:
The discharge line is completely clogged with fungal growth. The condensate pump that should be removing water is bone dry. The filter looks like it hasn't been changed in years - maybe since the day they installed it.
Fungal growth is spreading across the wood joists. And behind all that spray foam insulation, who knows what else is happening that we can't even see.
None of these issues are complicated to prevent. Regular maintenance would have caught every single one. But when companies don't come back and take care of what they install, this is the result.
What a Real Warranty Should Look Like
A warranty isn't just a piece of paper you get when the job is done. It's a promise that the company will stand behind their work and take care of you long after they cash your check.
Here's what that actually means: Regular filter changes on your dehumidifier. System checks to make sure everything's running right. Quick response when you notice something's off. A relationship with a company that treats you like you matter, not just another sale.
When we install a system, we come back. We check on it. We make sure it's doing what it's supposed to do. That's not going above and beyond - that's just doing the job right.
The Hidden Danger of Spray Foam in Crawl Spaces
Let me tell you why I don't recommend spray foam insulation in crawl spaces, even though a lot of companies use it.
Sure, it looks clean. It seems permanent. Homeowners see it and think they're getting premium work. But here's what spray foam actually does - it hides everything.
You can't see if termites are eating your floor joists. You won't know if moisture is trapped behind that foam, rotting your wood. By the time you discover there's a problem, it's usually too late and too expensive to fix.
I've been doing this long enough to know that you need to see what's happening with your wood. Problems caught early are easy to fix. Problems hidden behind spray foam? Those turn into major repairs.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crawl Space Company
Don't end up like this homeowner in Lenoir City. Before you hire anyone to work on your crawl space, ask these questions:
What exactly does your warranty cover? Who does the maintenance, and how often? Can I talk to customers you've worked with before? What happens if something goes wrong a year from now?
Pay attention to how they answer. If they're vague about follow-up service or they can't give you straight answers about maintenance, that's your warning sign. A good company will be clear about what they'll do for you after the installation is done.
Don't Let This Happen to You
Look, I hate seeing homeowners in this situation. They did the right thing - they invested in their crawl space. They hired a company, paid good money, and trusted that the work would be done right.
But now they're looking at paying for everything twice because that company didn't hold up their end of the deal. New encapsulation, new dehumidifier, starting from scratch. That's not fair, but it's the reality when you choose a company based on price instead of commitment.
The cheapest quote isn't always the best deal. Sometimes it costs you a lot more in the long run.
If you're thinking about crawl space work, or if you've already had work done and something doesn't seem right, give us a call. We'll come out, take an honest look at your situation, and tell you exactly what needs to happen. No games, no pressure - just straight answers from someone who's going to be there when you need us..
