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

I contracted Terrafirma to waterproof the crawlspace of our 1940s home. Jorge (the foreman), Jose and Fernando came out and did an excellent job. They had the work done in about a week and half and removed over 20 cu.yd. of dirt from underneath the house. Jorge gave us updates at the end of each day and let us know of their progress and the work yet to be done. His crew was friendly and professional and anyone to get them on their job will not be disappointed. After first receiving a quote from one of their competitors only to have them raise the price $10k just before the work began I went back to my second quote with Terrafirma and asked for a few changes, like the addition of a sump pump. Terrafirma not only delivered but in the end came in under their competitors original quote. They delivered where the competition could not and I will recommend them to friends, family and anyone looking for crawlspace/waterproofing work. Thank you Terrafirma!
Even before the crew was onsite, I very much appreciated Geovany's site visits and communication (along with that of our Project Managers!). The install crew that completed our foundation repairs were just excellent as was the final product. We were very pleased and satisfied with Bryan and his crew members (Oscar, Oscar, and Cam). On the final day Bryan teamed with Nate and his crew of two (Oscar and a person's name I didn't get). All crew members were respectful, tidy, and were able to accommodate our requests as we sought to coordinate extra loud construction periods for our noise sensitive young child.  Bryan, as crew lead, communicated well, sought to always provide a clear explanation of the work, received any and all questions and feedback, sought to install a professional product, and thoughtfully shared what the next day would look like.  The finished product was completed, in my opinion, with integrity both to the contract signed and also to professional construction methods. We have been genuinely satisfied with this particular phase of the work (foundation repair) and I would very much recommend TFFS, and specifically the crew we had onsite, to others facing similar crawlspace/foundation nightmares. Update following waterproofing crew: Now that the final waterproofing phase is complete we are very satisfied with the completed work, as well as the professional manner, of the waterproofing crew. Our crawlspace is completely transformed and probably hasn't ever looked this good in the 43 years since this house was first constructed. We sleep better at night now knowing our foundation is structurally sound and encapsulated. The final week of work by the waterproofing crew saw a thorough and detailed approach as they installed the perimeter drainage, applied the 120-mil vapor barrier along with its heavy duty underlayment, and the foam board - among all the other details they accomplished. The crew went above and beyond, doing even a bit more than I ever expected. Most importantly, for our family, foreman Tim C., with team members Chris R., Tarin S., and Jairo T., were very thoughtful and respectful as we had a child sensitive to loud noise - the crew kept us informed and really worked well to accommodate our needs. Our crew, led by Tim C., not only earned a shout out but please recognize those guys. Perhaps this has been the most surprising part of our journey with TerraFirma - how excellent it has been to work with the onsite foremans and their crews.
2/16/26 update: My sump pump broke in December due to the high level of iron in the soil under my house. Terra Firma responded quickly and replaced the pump with no issue. Great customer service and a great team / experience! Thank you Terra Firma! Seth has been amazing to work with! I have been working with Seth on designing my crawlspace drainage system. Seth has been extremely helpful, patient, and professional. I've pestered him every day, multiple times a day with questions, asked for revisions to my quote, clarifications, and have been an all-around pest. Through it all, Seth has been responsive, communicative, and thorough. The work is scheduled for Mid-May 2024. I will update my review after the work is done with how it went with the crew and the job they did.
***Please note -- I updated my review from 1 to 5 stars. Terra Firma took the initiative to reach out and assess any next steps needed to correct the problem. Trust is 100% restored knowing that if problems come up they will take any action needed to follow up. I will also say that the work they originally did was actually to code, and we agreed that the moisture problems arose due to the nonstandard setup of my dehumidifier, NOT because of errors in Terra Firma's work. Thank you Terra Firma.*** Unfortunately, I have to drop a negative review in the interest of warning other folks that their work has gone downhill. I previously had an excellent experience with Terra Firma for management of a water problem in my crawlspace. I hired them without question again for my current property for management of moisture issues, and I didn't check their work upon completion as thoroughly as I should have. Unfortunately, about 1 - 2 months after completion of work, I discovered a large mushroom growing out of one of the structural posts in my crawl/basement. On closer inspection, I noticed that the dehumidifier water discharge line they installed was dumping less than a foot away from my foundation, corresponding to the exact spot the mushroom was growing. Moisture was the exact problem they were supposed to fix, but now they have created a severe structural problem secondary to moisture with the dehumidifier line dumping large quantities of water right next to my foundation. In other words, they created the exact issue they were purporting to fix by collecting the moisture and depositing it into my foundation. Once fruiting bodies are growing out of wood, this is an indicator that the wood is severely compromised and the fungus network has grown extensively. I now have a very expensive and serious problem to fix. I called to let them know about the problem, not sure if I will hear back from the coordinator/ the team who did the work. I am not sure if I would trust them to fix the issue after the damage they have caused, but I would accept financial remediation. If they take steps to make things right, I would update my review. I would not hire Terra Firma again for any crawlspace work, be it structural or moisture related because of the big problem they have caused. Again, just would like to warn others.
Today, Marcus, from Terra Firma arrived to do annual service and maintenance on our sump pumps. He was very professional and also friendly. He's the first to show me videos of what is actually in the crawl space and the work he had done, and also explain the need for a new battery with next year's maintenance, which I appreciated. He unexpectedly had to do work above and beyond when my 80 pound Lab/Shepherd mix suddenly jumped into the crawl space, by helping retrieve her. Thank you, Marcus--everything well done. Kristin Isaacs, posting through my husband's Google account.
Both crew's were on time. The crawlspace crew put down plastic from the front door to the crawlspace entrance in a bedroom. Work was completed on time, our closet doors reattached and the areas they worked in or went through left clean and tidy. The sidewalk crew completed their work in a day and even patched a crack we had forgotten to mention to the estimator. If TerraFirma also did crawlspace insulation, that would have been great, but I had to find another company for the insulation.
Tony, Harley and Sebastian/TerraFirma were at our house for a week installing a drainage system in our back yard and the crawlspace. They were punctual, friendly, respectful and went above and beyond to make sure the job was done right and with care. Thank you!
Seth was friendly, knowledgeable and honest. He wasn’t pushy and didn’t make me feel like I was being sold. I now have a much better idea of what is going on with my basement and crawl space.
Bruce did an inspection on my home's crawlspace, and he was simply one of the best estimators/inspectors I've ever worked with. He took time to make sure I understood everything that was going on with my home (including showing me pictures of all areas of concern) and provided me with some very well informed options on how I might address them. Great experience!
Jason has been here for the third year in a row and has done an excellent job on my crawl space. This time because of the ice out over four days in December 2023, he said it would be a good idea to replace the battery. I went ahead and did it just to be safe. I am glad there are people who can go down in that crawl space and check everything once a year. He eve manages the wolf spiders.
Had the best experience with Terra Firma. From representative Kris, coming to give us a quote and setting everything up, to the crew (Foreman Albert and his crew) who came out to do the encapsulation of our home crawl space. The team members did nothing but the best to make sure the work was don’t correctly and with pride. Thank you!!!!
Seth had been very knowledgeable and exhibited wonderful customer service when helping us with the beginning process of our new home's crawl space

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?