Foundation Issues in Crawl Spaces: What Most Companies Miss

Crawl space foundations are one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to home protection—mainly because they’re out of sight and, too often, out of mind. One major issue we see frequently is the gap that forms between siding and foundation due to home settling. These low-visibility areas are commonly missed by other companies, or ignored by homeowners due to the high cost of addressing them properly.

Why Foam and Mesh Fail

Unfortunately, many companies try to “fix” crawl space gaps using spray foam and mesh. These quick solutions often fail within months.

Here’s why:

• Foam is easy to chew through and breaks down in sunlight or under paint
• Mesh sags or falls out over time, especially without solid backing
• Neither material offers real strength or long-term exclusion
  

These are temporary patches, not real protection—and they almost always lead to repeat infestations.

Our Solution: Durable, Long-Term Protection

At Elite Wildlife Solutions, we take a permanent approach using materials and techniques that actually work.

What We Use:

• 20-gauge galvanized steel, custom-bent to seal siding/foundation gaps
  
• Anchored directly into the structure for long-lasting hold
  
• Allows for natural home shifting while keeping rodents out
  
• Rust-resistant and weather-durable materials
  

This isn’t just a fix—it’s structural protection that lasts.

The Danger Beneath: Under-Foundation Digging

Soil-based crawl spaces come with another hidden threat: rodents tunneling underneath the home’s foundation footer.

Rats, mice, and even larger animals like groundhogs can bypass exterior barriers completely by digging from below.

Our Solution:

• We trench below the footer of the crawl space
  
• Install an L-shaped barrier made of:
  
• Powder-coated, perforated steel or

• Heavy-duty rodent-proof mesh
  
• Anchor the barrier to the crawl space wall
  
• Backfill with concrete or compacted stone to block re-entry
  
• Extend the trench far enough outward to prevent digging access
  

This is true below-grade protection—built for permanence, not convenience.

Protect Your Investment

Yes, this kind of work is an investment—but it’s one that protects your biggest investment: your home. Skimping on foundation protection leads to structural issues, rodent infestations, insulation contamination, and costly future repairs.

Choose a company that understands the risks and has the tools, training, and materials to solve the problem right—the first time. At Elite Wildlife Solutions, we don’t cut corners—and we don’t offer quick fixes. We protect your home the way it deserves to be protected.

FAQs: Crawl Space Foundation Issues & Rodent Prevention