Crawl Space Project in Versailles, Ohio

Challenge

This crawl space had ongoing moisture issues. Each time it rained, musty odors drifted into the house, prompting the homeowner to investigate. After heading down into the crawl space, they decided it was time to act and called us because of our reputation and strong reviews.

During our inspection, we recommended a crawl space encapsulation system to solve the moisture problem. But while we were there, we noticed something more serious — the foundation was settling into unstable soil, as shown by visible stair-step cracks in the block walls. We explained to the homeowner what settlement meant: the soil beneath part of their home was no longer able to support the weight, causing sections of the foundation to slowly sink. Left unchecked, this would only make the cracks worse and create more costly structural issues. The homeowner immediately agreed that stabilizing the foundation was just as important as waterproofing the crawl space.

Solution

We began by sending a piering crew to stabilize the foundation. Just four piers were required around the affected corner, making it a straightforward repair. Using an excavator, we exposed the footers, attached steel brackets, and drove the piers down to stable soil. The helical design allowed them to cut cleanly into the ground, and pressure gauges confirmed when we hit load-bearing strata. Once secured, the trenches were backfilled and compacted, leaving that corner of the home permanently stabilized.

Next came the crawl space encapsulation. To handle groundwater, we dug a perimeter trench and installed perforated pipe leading to a new SmartSump system. Drainage matting was placed across the floor, creating channels for water and making the surface more comfortable to crawl on.

We then installed SilverGlo insulation panels on the walls, followed by our CleanSpace vapor barrier, sealed tight with fasteners and vapor-proof tape. Spray foam was applied along the rim joists, and the crawl space vents were closed to lock out outside air. To finish, we installed a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier to keep humidity under control year-round.

The result is a clean, dry, energy-efficient crawl space with a foundation that’s now permanently stabilized. The homeowner can store items safely, breathe healthier air, save on energy costs, and most importantly, know their home is protected for the long run.