Crawl space help in Purvis

Purvis has been the county seat of Lamar County since the county was formed in 1904, and it had 1,909 residents at the 2020 census. The town sits on higher ground than Hattiesburg, at about 387 feet, but the same south Mississippi humidity reaches every crawl space here.

Older houses and a long history

On April 24, 1908, a tornado outbreak devastated Purvis, killing 83 people and destroying or damaging more than 115 homes, businesses and other buildings. The town has a long history, and older homes in and around Purvis often have original pier-and-beam framing. Common findings in houses like these include brick piers that have shifted, beams that have sagged between supports, and bare dirt with no vapor barrier at all.

Farmhouses and country homes

Around Purvis, many homes sit on large rural lots, along with manufactured homes and newer houses on acreage. Rural lots often lack gutters, and water from the roof splashes against the foundation and soaks the ground under the house. Gutters, downspout extensions and a sealed ground cover go a long way.

Permits

Inside town limits, ask the Town of Purvis what's required before work starts. Outside town, Lamar County doesn't inspect single-family work, so get a detailed written proposal and verify the contractor's state license if the job tops $10,000.

Services in Purvis

• Crawl space encapsulationSeal the vents, line the ground and walls, and keep the humidity under control.
• Vapor barrier replacementReplace torn, thin or missing plastic on the crawl space floor.
• Moisture control and dehumidifiersDehumidifiers, drainage and sump pumps for crawl spaces that stay wet.
• Sagging floor supportPiers, beams and sistered joists under floors that dip, bounce or slope.
• Crawl space repairRotted sills and subfloor, fallen insulation, and storm or flood damage.

Nearby areas

• Hattiesburg
• Petal
• West Hattiesburg and Oak Grove