Why the Floors Over Your Crawl Space Sag

The floors above your crawl space may become bouncy, soft, or unlevel over time. This is a problem because it’s only a matter of time before the floor will no longer be able to support the weight that’s on it. So what exactly caused this problem and what can be done to fix it?

One possibility as to why your floors are sagging is that the existing block or brick columns are spaced too far apart. When your crawl space was first built, block or brick columns were placed throughout to support the weight of the structure above. However, if those columns are located too far apart, the beam can become overloaded and sag between the columns. This, in turn, also causes the floor above it to sag.

Another possibility is that the floor joists and girders have become weak due to moisture and wood rot.  Oftentimes, crawl spaces are not sealed off from the earth, so excess moisture and humidity is a problem.  When your crawl space is exposed to moisture and humidity, the result is moldy, rotting, and weak floor joists. They become unable to support the weight above, resulting in bouncy, soft, or sagging floors.

Lastly, the existing columns may have settled because of weak soil.  Weak soil can cause the columns to sink or settle, creating a gap between the top of the column and bottom of the girder it was supporting.  If the column settles, then the girder sags, and the floors above sag.  It’s a simple chain reaction.

Installing a CleanSpace Encapsulation System along with the SmartJack Crawl Space Stabilizer offered by Woods Basement Systems is the perfect solution to this problem. CleanSpace completely seals off your home from the earth, preventing water vapor and humidity to enter the air from the soil. This also prevents mold growth in your crawl space, which is extremely important.

The SmartJack System from Foundation SupportWorks levels and stabilizes the existing beams and floor joists in your crawl space.  Galvanized steel columns that can support loads exceeding 60,000 pounds are installed securely to lift the floors and walls in the upper levels of your homes back to their original, level position. The SmartJack System can be installed along with CleanSpace, can usually be installed in less than one day, and provides immediate stabilization and results.