Job completed for Rotten Joists & Wet Crawlspace Repair: Full Drainage, Sump Pump, and Encapsulation Fix

Completion date: May 13, 2025

Location: Boaz, AL

Why did the customer contact us?

A homeowner contacted us after learning that several of the floor joists in his home—particularly the forward joists near the front of the house—were deteriorating and no longer providing the support they should. He had started noticing warning signs like bouncy, uneven flooring and small gaps or shifting along interior trim, and a closer look in the crawlspace revealed wood damage consistent with long-term moisture exposure. Concerned about the safety of the structure and wanting the repair done correctly, he called our team to evaluate the extent of the damage, determine what caused the joists to fail, and develop a plan to replace the affected forward joists and restore solid, dependable support to the home.

Solutions provided:

To solve the problem the right way, we approached it as both a structural repair and a full crawlspace remediation so the new forward joists wouldn’t be put back into the same damaging conditions. We began with demolition and removal at the back deck as needed to access the work area, then demoed and repaired the rotten band board and addressed compromised framing by double/scab floor joists where appropriate and installing PowerPost floor supports to restore strength and proper load support. With the structure stabilized, we soda blasted affected areas to clean and remediate the surfaces, then implemented a full-perimeter drainage pipe system that feeds into a sump pump basin with a 1/3 HP sump pump and a dedicated discharge line to reliably move water away from the foundation. Finally, we sealed and conditioned the space with our R-5 Insulated Encapsulation System featuring a 15-mil floor liner, added a custom-built PVC crawlspace door for a tight exterior seal, and installed a Sierra Watchdog NXT 85 Pint Dehumidifier to maintain safe humidity year-round—creating a dry, controlled crawlspace that protects the repairs and helps prevent future rot and structural deterioration.

Team members on this project:

Jarod Davis, Rogelio Perez