Sagging floor repair in Dothan
If a floor dips, slopes or bounces, the cause is almost always in the crawl space. Here's what to expect.
A house over a crawl space stands on a simple frame: subfloor on joists, joists on beams, beams on piers and the foundation wall. When one part weakens, rots or settles, the floor above shows it.
What usually causes it?
- Rot from moisture. Damp crawl space air and plumbing leaks soften joists and subfloor, often under bathrooms and kitchens.
- Spans that are too long. Older homes and some additions have too few piers or undersized beams.
- Piers that settle or lean. Small footings on soft or wet soil can sink over time.
- Cut framing. Joists notched or cut decades ago for pipes and ducts.
- Termites. Damage can be hidden inside the wood until it gives.
How is it repaired?
- Supplemental piers or adjustable steel supports under beams to shorten spans
- Sistered joists, new lumber fastened alongside damaged ones
- New or reinforced beams under a sagging section
- Sill plate and subfloor replacement where wood has rotted
Floors that have settled for years are usually raised gradually to limit cracking in drywall and tile. Fixing the moisture source is part of a lasting repair.
Which license does the job need?
Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Board requires a license for residential work over $10,000, and its rules say that when construction affects the structural integrity of a house, an unlimited license is required. Floor-support work often falls in that category. Inside Dothan, ask whether a building permit is needed, and whether an engineer should design the repair.
Warning signs
- Soft or springy spots underfoot
- Doors that drag or swing shut by themselves
- Gaps between the floor and baseboards
- Cracks in tile, plaster or drywall above doors
The crawl space company sets the price after it has inspected and measured the space under your house. We don't quote prices, and any figure you hear before someone has looked underneath is a rough guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does floor support need an unlimited license in Alabama?
The Home Builders Licensure Board's rules say construction that affects structural integrity requires an unlimited license. Ask the company which license it holds.
Can my floor be fixed from the crawl space?
Usually. Piers, beams and sistered joists are installed from below. Badly rotted subfloor may need some work from above as well.
Related services
- Crawl space encapsulation
- Vapor barrier replacement
- Moisture control and dehumidifiers
- Crawl space repair
More background: Dothan crawl space guide.
Musty air, wet insulation or a floor that's lost its footing?
Call and get connected with a crawl space company that works in Dothan and the Wiregrass.