If you have noticed the floor above your crawl space is sagging, you should take action to fix the issue immediately. Floors above a crawl space can sag for several reasons and have multiple resolutions.
What Causes a Floor Above a Crawl Space to Sag?
- Lack of floor joists: The floor above your crawl space depends on joists for support. If the builder who created your home included an incorrect amount of joists, this causes them to fail, often resulting in a sloping floor.
- Incorrectly spaced floor joists: While the lack of floor joists above a crawl space is an issue, incorrectly spaced joists are also a problem.
- Lack of crawl space support beams: Beams connect the floor above your crawl space to the foundation. If there are not enough of these beams, your floor may begin to pitch.
- Rotting structures: Many structures within your crawl space consist of wood. This material is especially susceptible to rot due to excessive moisture in your crawl space.
- Differential foundation settlement: This form of settlement differs from standard settlement because it involves uneven foundation shifts. If the foundation shifts, the rest of the home moves as well, including the floor above the crawl space.
Adding Support to a Floor Above a Crawl Space
- Increase floor joists: If your crawl space does not have enough joists, it’s best to call a professional who can install more. Adding more joists can increase the strength of a floor.
- Install cross-bridging: Cross-bridging consists of small wooden pieces that form an “x” shape. These structures rest between the joists, adding a surprising amount of stability.
- Add crawl space jacks: When your floor slopes due to a lack of support beams in your crawl space, the ideal resolution is the installment of crawl space jacks. These jacks are adjustable, come in several forms and sizes, and help eliminate any sagging in the floor above your crawl space.
- Repair and replace rotten structures: When the floor over your crawl space sags, it might result from rotten or decayed wooden structures in your crawl space. These rotten structures are especially prevalent if you have crawl space moisture issues. In such cases, one of the best crawl space foundation repair options is to repair or completely replace these structural elements.
- Address differential foundation settlement: Differential settlement can cause your entire home to sag, including the floor above your crawl space. Repairing this issue will require hiring a foundation team to raise and stabilize your foundation using piers.
How Much Does Crawl Space Foundation Repair Cost?
The full cost for your foundation repair project depends on several factors, including the repairs you require and the services your crawl space repair team chooses. With those factors in mind, the average crawl space foundation repair cost is between $1,500 and $15,000.
What About DIY Crawl Space Repair?
After hearing that a crawl space foundation repair service will cost several thousand dollars, you are likely tempted to perform DIY crawl space repair. However, if you lack experience and skill, attempting to repair a crawl space is a horrible idea. Doing so will likely be unsuccessful and completely unsafe. A preferred approach is to hire a professional crawl space repair team. This team will provide the correct diagnosis for your crawl space and determine the ideal resolution.
Other Ways to Improve a Crawl Space
- Drainage improvement: A complete foundation drainage system includes several parts. The only way to ensure your drainage structures meet your home’s needs is to hire a crawl space expert to assess them. If necessary, that professional will repair or replace drainage that may be clogged, broken, or non-existent.
- Re-grading your land: Is the land surrounding your foundation flat or sloping toward your home? If so, the landscape encourages water to puddle near your foundation, making seepage more likely. Ensure the land around your home has a distinct slope away.
- Sealing crawl space vents: Many people assume it is better to keep crawl space vents open. After all, this allows air to circulate throughout your foundation. However, open vents allow outside moisture to enter the crawl space. Keeping your crawl space vents sealed is ideal for maintaining a dry space.
- Crawl space encapsulation: The most complete service for repairing and waterproofing your crawl space is encapsulation. This comprehensive process creates a seal between your crawl space and the outside. This prevents excessive air moisture from getting in. The seal also keeps pests and other unwanted critters out.
Advantages of Crawl Space Encapsulation
- Moisture control: The complete seal created by encapsulation allows a crawl space to remain dry.
- Less mold and mildew: Excessive moisture allows mold and mildew to accumulate in your crawl space, which is unhealthy and can cause foul odors.
- Storage space: An encapsulated crawl space becomes safer for storing belongings.
- Greater structural integrity: Encapsulation protects structures from moisture. This protection makes the structures less likely to fail and reduces the odds of a sagging floor or any other issue.
- Pest control: Since encapsulation creates a complete seal, it stops moisture from entering and keeps pests out.
Hire a Pro to Enhance Your Crawl Space
A sagging floor above a crawl space is a nuisance, but it can also be a sign of a deeper issue. Unfortunately, you cannot resolve these issues on your own. Instead, hiring a crawl space professional to deal with any sloping floor above a crawl space is better.
The best team to call for this kind of job is Regional Foundation & Crawl Space Repair. Our team is well-versed in all sagging floors above crawl spaces. We also proudly serve any homeowner or business in the Triad, Triangle, or Eastern North Carolina area.
