crawl space
problems

HUMIDITY & WATER
IN CRAWL SPACE

Water that seeps into your crawl space can serve as a breeding ground for pests, mold, and odor. Crawl space encapsulation is the right choice for homeowners who experience rainy climates and want to protect their crawl space from moisture.

These are some common moisture and water crawl space problems that homeowners in Portland, Salem, Roseburg, and the Seattle-Tacoma areas have asked TerraFirma to diagnose and fix for this space of their homes:

tf wet insulation Crawl Space Problems
Wet insulation is a sign of crawl space humidity, and creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Wet Insulation

tf condensation humidity Crawl Space Problems
Does your home tend to be humid? It could be a sign of crawlspace condensation and moisture.

Condensation & Indoor Humidity

tf rotting wood Crawl Space Problems
Floor joists provide crucial support for the floors above. Moisture in your crawl space can cause your floor joists to rot, compromising their ability to bear the weight of the structure.

Rotting Wood

tf torn vapor barriers Crawl Space Problems
Torn vapor barriers and vapor barrier puddles mean moisture and possibly unhealthy air quality

Torn Vapor Barriers

tf exposed ground Crawl Space Problems
Exposed dirt in your crawl space will release gasses, odors, and moisture under your home that can seep up into your living space. As the damp soil dries it shrinks allowing the post and beam structural supports to settle causing damage to your home.

Exposed Ground

tf doors vents Crawl Space Problems
Open crawl space vents and loose crawl space doors can cause high humidity as well as insect and mold problems.

Crawlspace Door and Vents

tf wet insulation Crawl Space Problems

Wet Insulation

Wet insulation is a sign of crawl space humidity, and creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.

tf condensation humidity Crawl Space Problems

Condensation & Indoor Humidity

Does your home tend to be humid? It could be a sign of crawlspace condensation and moisture.

tf rotting wood Crawl Space Problems

Rotting Wood

Floor joists provide crucial support for the floors above. Moisture in your crawl space can cause your floor joists to rot, compromising their ability to bear the weight of the structure.

tf torn vapor barriers Crawl Space Problems

Torn Vapor Barriers

Torn vapor barriers and vapor barrier puddles mean moisture and possibly unhealthy air quality

tf exposed ground Crawl Space Problems

Exposed Ground

Exposed dirt in your crawl space will release gasses, odors, and moisture under your home that can seep up into your living space. As the damp soil dries it shrinks allowing the post and beam structural supports to settle causing damage to your home.

tf doors vents Crawl Space Problems

Crawlspace Door and Vents

Open crawl space vents and loose crawl space doors can cause high humidity as well as insect and mold problems.

SAGGING FLOOR JOISTS
& STRUCTURAL ISSUES

Built directly underneath your home, the crawl space plays a key role in your home’s structural integrity. Many crawl spaces are designed with a support system that is either inadequate, rotting or has unstable soils underneath the support posts.

If you’re unsure whether it’s a foundation or crawlspace issue, note whether the visible problem is centered around the interior or exterior of the structure. Homeowners in Oregon and Washington frequently benefit from waterproofing as part of their foundation repair and/or crawlspace repair.

dehumidifiers titlesection 2 2 Crawl Space Problems
  TF Crawl Space Repair icon s Crawl Space Problems
Crawl Space
Structural Issue
TF foundation repair icon s Crawl Space Problems
Foundation
Settlement
TF Basement Waterproofing icon s Crawl Space Problems
Basement
Waterproofing Issue
Cracks in Crawl Space Walls   tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems
Cracks in foundation or crawl space walls   tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems
Leaking cracks in foundation walls   tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems
Sticking or cracked exterior doors and windows tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  
Sticking or cracked interior doors tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  
Sinking, sagging floors tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  
Cracked or sagging floor joist support beams tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  
Floor crack with water seeping up   tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems
Standing water in crawl space tf expert check Crawl Space Problems tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  
Tilting chimney   tf expert check Crawl Space Problems  

HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS

Crawlspaces are often unconditioned spaces, meaning they are not heated or cooled like the rest of the house. High electric bills are a giveaway that your home is not energy efficient.

Floor insulation and Wall insulation will help to prevent heat transfer between the crawl space and the rest of the house, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your home. This can lead to lower utility bills while creating a more comfortable indoor environment.

Creating a controlled environment in crawl spaces is essential for maintaining energy efficiency, controlling moisture and pests, and preserving the structural integrity of the home. Maintenance also plays an important role as floor insulation is susceptible to the environment, can become loose, moist, and lose effectiveness.

dehumidifiers titlesection 3 2 Crawl Space Problems

POOR AIR QUALITY

Humidity and condensation in a crawl space are a recipe for disaster. Excess moisture leads to mold growth, wood rot, and foul odors, causing issues for your home’s health, air quality, and value.

After removing any organic materials, making sure your waterproofing system is working correctly, and installing vent covers, you should still consider other airborne hazards that, fortunately, can be prevented with the use of a dehumidifier.

Encapsulation and consistent maintenance don’t just protect against crawl space moisture problems—they also retain a stable temperature in this area, improving indoor air quality and reducing allergens. Over time, this can prevent costly repairs caused by worsening structural problems or degradation. Additionally, a well-encapsulated crawl space boosts your home’s resale value; ultimately, it is a wise investment for homeowners intending to stay or sell. So have Terra Firma fix your crawl space problems today to start reaping the benefits.

dehumidifiers titlesection 4 1 Crawl Space Problems

Schedule your free
Crawl Space Evaluation

Schedule your free
Crawl Space Evaluation

TERRAFIRMA IN ACTION

TerraFirma can repair your crawl space, leaving your home with cleaner, healthier air. Read on about our crawl space work and tips below.

crawl spaces
repaired

Don’t take our word for it – see what our clients have to say.
From Roseburg to Eugene, Portland to Seattle, our Crawl Space Repair work speaks for itself

One day looking under that house, I noticed that my under house drainage was not working. So I placed a call with TerraFirma for an inspection and price quote. Less than a week they were outside my house, listening to me and offering information. We concluded that a French drain on the inside of the crawl space all away around, centering it to one location for a new sump pump. The sump pump is a triple tier with battery backup (3 pump in one unit). Two days later they finished the job, with a callback return to fix a couple little issues, which were fixed within 1 hr of my call. After I inspected their work, I was impressed! Very clean work, no standing water. Their price was cheaper compared to the other company that said “we fixed it” when we were buying this house. I will hire TarraFirma for other up coming work around my house. TarraFirma also offers financing if needed. Check them out! Long winded story!! Enjoy Ps. Enjoying the bourbon?
Basement leaking. Installed sump pump improve drainage in crawl space. Untested as yet not enough rain.
A few days after moving into our home we noted some serious issues with our outdoor drainage. Over the course of just 2 days of rain in the Pacific NW, water was flowing into the garage and crawl space rather than away from the house. We needed an evaluation and a plan asap. Based on reviews and services available, a quick call to TerraFirma was the answer. I had an appointment within a few days. We were very pleased when Seth arrived and explained that, by the end of today’s visit we would have a detailed plan including the cost. As we walked around the entire foundation and yard Seth was open to questions and explained details of what he was noticing. Seth was also taking note of other potential issue that could be avoided with some preventive DIY care. The extensive evaluation resulted in great news. Although we knew it was going to be an expensive project, due to the labor involved, Seth presented an optimal approach for a permanent solution at a fair price. We were very happy working with Seth and TerraFirma. Steve and Toni Shelton,WA
I had Bailey come out to do an estimate for crawlspace encapsulation and some drainage work in the basement. Bailey spent 2 hours at the house and on the phone with me in total (not counting the work he did on his own), doing a very thorough work up of the house and patiently explaining what my options were, and what might be better for my renovation contractor to do. I really appreciated Bailey's willingness to think through different options - some that didn't include work for his company - and teach me about crawlspaces!
Feels great to finally have our crawl space water issue taken care of once and for all. Our installation crew, Timothy Cranley II, Spencer Hunt, Felipe Jimenez, Gael Ornelas, were all outstanding. Even though it was a big project, they made it as easy as possible on us and cleaned it up well.
I was referred to John from Terra Firma when I was looking to have our foundation inspected. John was very friendly and knowledgable and came out to our house to measure and inspect everything. In the end he was able to put our mind at ease and did a great job of explaining different scenarios and what he was looking for. John even inspected the crawlspace while he was out and provided great feedback there as well. Overall we got a lot of good information and never felt as though we were being pushed into unnecessary services. I will certainly be reaching out to Terra Firma for any future needs!
My encounters with TerraFirma have been great so far. During an initial "inspection"/quote for a few potential projects, they mentioned how their company had been born out of a desire to provide exceptional customer service where other companies in the field were not, and I feel it really shows. The information I was provided was well-explained and never felt like a sales pitch - simply information presented to allow me to make the decisions I needed to. It also came from someone who seemed like they had hands-on experience in the work, not just a representative in a uniform. I also received no "pestering" beyond this appointment, which I appreciated - I get that follow-up is a way that business try to hook new work, but the company I'd gotten a quote from two years prior still calls and emails me to this day, which gets annoying. That same company had also quoted me a price quite a bit higher for the same work, so despite someone commenting to me that TerraFirma was "the pricier option," their offer was a fantastic deal to me. I went ahead with scheduling the first project, crawlspace drainage and sump pump installation. The work was done well and cleanly, and communication throughout and after was great. I definitely plan to contact them again when I'm ready to tackle some higher-cost projects, and feel I don't need to bother with quotes from anyone else to know I'll be getting great work for a competitive price.
I purchased a commercial building. The seller used TerraFirma to put in moisture control system in the crawl space and the company worked with the owner to get the project done before I closed on the purchase. They gave me good documentation and warranty info and did a walk-through with me. They were very thorough and professional.
I had my annual crawl space inspection and would like to give five stars to Adam for his professionalism, courtesy and thoroughness in his approach to his job.
I got Fernando, Chris and Jorge to do the install of the encapsulation of my crawl space and they were very professional and fast for the job size.
Great job! I’m pretty sure they sent their A-team and got my crawl space encapsulated in 3 days. The dehumidifier doesn’t have to work too hard anymore. Humidity is holding steady below 50%. I can probably take some credit for their efficiency though, because I didn’t bother them too much 😂.
Walt B. went above and beyond for us. We had some concerns about heavy furniture over our crawlspace that he took the time to analyze and talk through with me. As homeowners without a ton of experience under our belt, we were thankful for his time. Walt walked me through our concerns, assuaged our fears, and even gave us some helpful tips and pointers on add'l home maintenance. I also appreciate that he was honest and open with us: he didn't upsell us solutions, didn't suggest solutions we didn't actually need. It was a great experience.

Award Winning
Results Begin Here.

bbb Terrafirma Award 2 Crawl Space Problems
HA elite Terrafirma Awar Banner 2 Crawl Space Problems

Crawl Space
Homeowner FAQs

Crawl space insulation vs encapsulation – which is better?

My concrete seems to have moved up during the winter months, is this a problem?

What causes a floor joist to sag?

Can you repair cracked concrete after going through concrete leveling?

My concrete seems to have settled over the winter. What should I do?