If you look carefully in this picture, you'll notice that the wood of the floor joist is beginning to show signs of severe damage due to failing crawl space supports.

As these supports begin to give way, the floors above can sag and interior walls may crack, resulting in expensive problems in your home.

Because it's built directly underneath your home, your crawl space plays a key role in your home's structural integrity. Crawl spaces bear this weight through the foundation walls and crawl space support columns.

How Crawl Space Supports Fail

In many cases, a failing crawl space structure can be resolved by installing crawl space supports.

At Basement Systems Maryland, we specialize in crawl space repairs of all types. If you're experiencing a structural problem with your crawl space, we have a solution for you.

Crawl Space Support System

The SmartJack® Crawl Space Stabilizer is an adjustable supplemental support system used for sagging crawl spaces.

It not only provides supplemental support to your failing structure -- it can also often lift failing floor joists or beams, restoring them to their original position.

The SmartJack® is available for installation throughout Maryland, including Gaithersburg, Baltimore, Frederick and nearby areas.

Foundation Failure

The foundation walls themselves can fail in a large number of ways. Most commonly, these walls will be damaged by foundation settling due to poor supporting soils. It's also very common for the walls to buckle inwards due to pressure from expansive soils outside the home.

If you have a structural issue with your foundation, it's important to contact a foundation specialist right away.

Sinking Crawl Space Supports

Sometimes, crawl space support pillars are built on soils that are not strong enough to support the weight of your home.

Over time, these supports will begin to sink into the soil. As they do, the floor they hold up will sink as well, leading to uneven floors and interior wall cracking.

Inadequate Structural Design

Sometimes, the contractor who builds a home will improperly space out the support beams that hold up your floor and interior structure.

When this happens, the floor may sink in the spans between each support, leading to damage to your home structure.

Rotting Floor Joists

When crawl spaces are damp, humid, or experience flooding, they become an ideal environment for mold and rot. Termites, carpenter ants, wood-eating beetles, and other damaging insects may also feed on organic materials in the crawl space.

As the wood deteriorates, it will no longer be able to support your home, leading to significant structural damage.

SmartJack® Specifications

Fast, Year-Round Installation -- The SmartJack® can be installed year-round, with installations completing in about a day. There's no waiting time for concrete to cure!
Stronger Crawl Space Support -- Our crawl space support system can support vertical loads exceeding 60,000 pounds, which is far stronger than conventional concrete repairs.
Versatile Installation -- The SmartJack's portable size allows it to be installed in even the tightest of crawl spaces.
Superior Support -- Our support jacks do more than merely halt the downward movement of your floor. The SmartJack® may also be adjusted to try to lift the floor above to its original position.