Rotting Crawl Space and Sagging Floors: How We Helped a Brighton Couple Reclaim Their Home

After more than 20 years in their Brighton, TN home, Mark and Jackie R. were facing an all-too-common yet unsettling issue: sagging floors and rotting wood in their crawl space. Despite years of quick fixes—including added supports from their son and even a dehumidifier—the problem worsened, jeopardizing not just their home’s integrity, but their peace of mind.

The Problem: Moisture, Rot, and Structural Instability

The couple first noticed the telltale signs of trouble several years ago: floors that felt uneven and soft in places, especially in Jackie’s beloved sewing room at the back of the house. This room, crucial to Jackie’s daily life, had a visibly sagging floor and spots where the subfloor had literally broken underfoot.

Upon inspection, we found alarming conditions in the crawl space:

• Extremely high moisture content, with wood reading up to 40% moisture—far beyond safe levels.
• A low-clearance crawl space (about 2 feet) that had trapped moisture for years.
• Two main support beams spanning the hallway and full length of the house were showing severe signs of rot. One beam, closest to the front, had 12 feet of crushed wood, while the other needed 22 feet of replacement.
• The structural integrity was so compromised that pressing a thumb into the beam caused it to crush—a clear red flag for wood failure.
• Additional damage included rotting joists and subfloor in a 12x12 area of the sewing room, which required full replacement with treated 2x8s.

The only logistical challenge was a shower stall situated 8 inches off the hallway wall, near the failing beam—an obstacle that required careful maneuvering during repairs.

The Solution: Targeted Replacement and Long-Term Protection

Mark and Jackie’s top priority was ensuring their home would remain safe and livable for years to come. With that in mind, we developed a plan focused on structural reinforcement and moisture protection:

Here’s what we did:

• Removed and replaced 34 feet of rotted main support beams (12 ft and 22 ft sections).
• Replaced joists and subfloor in the back sewing room using durable treated lumber.
• Worked carefully around existing structures like the shower to minimize disruption.
• Applied LumberKote, a wood treatment designed to protect remaining structural wood from future rot and moisture damage.

Though we strongly recommended three SmartJacks and a 15-foot supplemental beam in the front bedroom to add further stability, the homeowners plan to complete that phase in the future due to budget constraints.

Why This Matters: More Than a Repair—It’s Peace of Mind

Mark and Jackie weren’t just repairing their crawl space—they were investing in their forever home. After years of frustration and temporary fixes, they now have a structure that’s safe, dry, and protected against future deterioration.

Their story is a powerful reminder that when it comes to crawl space moisture and structural damage, delay can mean deeper—and more expensive—problems. It’s never just about wood. It’s about your safety, your comfort, and your confidence that your home can stand strong for years to come.

Click HERE to see images from this project.

Don’t Wait Until the Floor Gives Way

If you’ve noticed soft spots, sagging floors, or musty smells, your home could be trying to tell you something. Rot doesn’t stop on its own—and neither should you.

Contact us today for a free crawl space inspection and let us help you protect what matters most: your home and peace of mind.