What to Do When Your Crawl Space Encapsulation Job Goes Wrong
Introduction
When Previous Work Falls Short
WHAT I FOUND AND HOW WE'RE FIXING IT
I got a call from a homeowner in Nashville. Their crawl space had already been encapsulated by another company, but things weren't working right.
They needed help figuring out what was going on.
When I got there, I could see why they called.
The work had been done, but it hadn't been done well.
And now they were dealing with problems that shouldn't exist in a properly encapsulated crawl space.
If you've had crawl space work done and you're noticing issues, this is what you need to know.
What I Found in This Crawl Space
There were a few things done right. They had lights installed, which is good. A lot of companies skip that completely.
But that's where the good news ended.
The dehumidifier was sitting right next to the access door. Not where it should be for proper air circulation. The poly liner - the vapor barrier that's supposed to keep moisture out - was completely covered in dirt. And the sump pump was stuck on, running nonstop.
A sump pump that never shuts off is a problem. It means something's not working the way it should. It's wasting energy, wearing out the equipment, and it's a sign that whoever did the install didn't test it properly before they left.
This wasn't a brand new job either. This homeowner had already paid for this work. And now they were stuck dealing with equipment that didn't work right.
Diagnosing the Sump Pump Issue
I pulled the cover off the sump pump and found the problem pretty quick. The float switch was stuck in the on position.
The float switch is what tells the pump when to turn on and off. When water rises in the basin, the float lifts up and triggers the pump to start. When the water's pumped out and the level drops, the float goes back down and the pump shuts off.
But this one was jammed. So the pump thought there was always water in the basin. It was just running constantly, even though there was nothing to pump.
Now, a lot of companies would've just told this homeowner they need a new pump. Sell them a replacement, charge a few hundred bucks, move on. But that's not always the right answer.
If I can fix it and save them some money, that's what I'm going to do.
The On-the-Spot Repair
I spent about 30 minutes taking that pump apart and getting the float switch freed up. Got it running the way it should. Tested it a few times to make sure it was cycling on and off properly.
That repair bought them time. It's not a permanent fix for all the problems in this crawl space, but it keeps the pump working until we're ready to come back and handle the bigger issues.
Could I have walked in there and sold them a whole new system on the spot? Sure. But that's not how I operate.
This homeowner already paid for work that should've been done right the first time. They don't need someone else trying to squeeze more money out of them before we even figure out what actually needs to be fixed.
Sometimes the right move is to help first and talk about the big job later.
What a Real Warranty Should Look Like
Here's how I handle warranties at Crawl Logic, and it's one of the things that sets us apart.
If a piece of equipment fails and it's still under warranty with the manufacturer, you get a new one. That's standard.
But here's the part most companies don't do - if your dehumidifier or sump pump fails outside of the manufacturer's warranty, I replace it at my cost. And I come install it for free.
You're not paying for the new unit. You're not paying for my time. I handle it.
That's what a strong warranty looks like. It's not just a piece of paper. It's a promise that I'm not disappearing after the job is done. If something breaks, I take care of it.
This homeowner didn't have that with their previous company. And now they're dealing with the consequences.
Red Flags in Crawl Space Work
If you've had crawl space work done and you're not sure if it was done right, here are some things to look for.
Poly that's covered in dirt or debris. That means it wasn't installed carefully, or the crawl space wasn't prepped properly before the liner went down. A clean install should look clean.
Equipment that's placed in weird spots. Your dehumidifier should be positioned for good air flow, not just shoved next to the door because it's easy. Your sump pump should be in the lowest spot where water naturally collects.
Systems that fail or act up shortly after installation. If your pump is running constantly, or your dehumidifier isn't keeping humidity down, something wasn't done right during the install.
And the biggest red flag - a company that disappears when you call about problems. If they're not answering your calls or making excuses about why they can't come back, you're on your own. That's not how it should work.
Ready for an Honest Assessment?
If you've had crawl space work done and something's not right, I'm happy to take a look.
I offer free inspections for homeowners in the Nashville area. I'll come out, check what's going on, and give you a straight answer about what needs to happen next.
No pressure to replace what can be repaired. No sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about your crawl space and what makes sense for your situation.
You can call or text me directly. I do all the inspections myself, so you're talking to the owner - not a salesperson who's trying to hit a quota.
That's how we do things at Crawl Logic.
