Indian Pass Raw Bar Crawl Space Encapsulation

The Challenge

Incorrectly applied spray foam insulation led to deterioration beneath this restaurant.

Following severe damage from Hurricane Micheal, the Indian Pass Raw Bar in Port St. Joe, Florida underwent reconstruction. As part of the rebuild, spray foam insulation was applied beneath the structure. However, the manner in which the foam was installed created an environment that trapped moisture against the wooden joists.

Over time, moisture became trapped between the spray foam and the floor joists, which led to significant deterioration of the newly installed floor system. Employees began to notice issues within the building, including buckling in the luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, indicating potential structural movement beneath the surface.

Groundworks was called to evaluate the issue and conducted a comprehensive crawl space inspection. Upon entry, the team observed extensive moisture damage and severe rot within the floor joists, confirming that the structural components had been compromised. In addition to the visible deterioration, diagnostic testing was performed using moisture and humidity monitoring equipment. Readings revealed elevated relative humidity levels of approximately 65% and increased moisture content within the wood members, confirming that the crawl space environment remained persistently damp. These findings verified that the problem extended beyond surface level damage, with both visual inspection and instrument data indicating fungal growth, conditions conducive to continued wood decay, structural instability, and poor indoor air quality.

Key Facts

The Solution

Installation of new structural supports and a full crawl space encapsulation system.

To fully address the extent of the damage, Groundworks removed and replaced the compromised structural components. This included the complete removal of the damaged flooring system, subfloor, and severely deteriorated floor joists. New structural elements were then installed, including replacement joists and the addition of steel support beams to reinforce the floor system.
Once the structural repairs were completed, Groundworks implemented a comprehensive crawl space stabilization and moisture control solution. IntelliJack™ crawl space jacks were installed to provide supplemental support to the newly installed joists, helping to ensure long-term stability and load distribution across the floor system.
To address the underlying moisture issues, the crawl space was fully encapsulated using a durable 20-mil vapor barrier designed to isolate the structure from ground moisture. A sump pump drainage system was installed to actively manage water intrusion, while a high-performance dehumidifier was added to regulate humidity levels within the crawl space, maintaining conditions within the recommended less than 60 percent range.

The Impact

The structural repairs and crawl space encapsulation allowed the restaurant to move forward with confidence.

The project was completed in just one week, allowing the restaurant to reopen quickly with confidence that the underlying issue had been fully addressed. The combination of structural repairs and crawl space encapsulation created a controlled environment beneath the building, protecting the newly installed materials and helping to prevent the recurrence of moisture-related damage.
With humidity levels now properly managed and structural support restored, the property owners gained long-term peace of mind knowing their investment was protected and the building was positioned for reliable performance moving forward.