Many homeowners and contractors make the mistake of repairing the damaged wood and calling the problem solved. But what about the cause of the damage in the first place?

Before removing and replacing rotting wood, follow these steps:

1. Removing Water Sources: All plumbing issues and groundwater leaking must be addressed, or your replacement wood will rot. Remember: there is often more than one source of water leakage in a crawl space!
2. Fix Any Grade Line & Gutter Issues: If your gutters are depositing water around your foundation, or the ground around your home is sloped towards the house, then water will collect around (and inside) the crawl space, promoting mold and rot.
3. Eliminate Pest Infestations: If you’ve had termites, carpenter ants, or other pests in your crawl space, you’ll need a pest inspector to make sure they’re eliminated. Termites can abandon sections of their nest while still being present elsewhere in your home.