Water in Your Crawl Space Is Like Smoking 2 Packs a Day ā Contractor Mark Garrison Explains Why
Mar 27, 2026
From The Kapowich Vault —
If your home has a crawl space, this short clip from The Kapowich Vault is one of the most important things you will watch before buying or selling an older home.

Mark Garrison, Principal of MG Constructors and Engineers, does not sugarcoat it. Water in your crawl space is like smoking 2 packs of no-filter cigarettes every single day. And more than 50 percent of homes across the Bay Area — and the West Coast — have exactly that condition right now.
- Do not buy or sell an older home without watching the full interview first.
- Full interview: https://youtu.be/IG64RI0kOvw?si=OSWlipocQ3LmHMD5
In this clip, Mark and his brother Tim K. Garrison, P.E. explain how water seeps into crawl spaces every winter and lingers. They cover why the posts, piers, and beams found in most older crawl spaces do not meet current building code — 9 out of 10 times. And they explain how downspouts have been quietly dumping thousands of gallons of water directly next to foundations for decades, with no engineer ever consulted on placement or discharge location.
The crawl space is the most neglected area of any home. Most homebuyers never see it. Most home sellers never think about it. And most agents never bring it up.
Do not buy or sell an older home without watching the full interview first.
Full interview: https://youtu.be/IG64RI0kOvw?si=OSWlipocQ3LmHMD5
Contact the Garrison Brothers Tim K. Garrison, P.E. — TimG@TimKGarrison.com Mark Garrison, Principal — mgconstructors.net
Pat Kapowich | California Real Estate Broker | 408-245-7700 | SiliconValleyBroker.com | CalDRE #00979413
DISCLAIMER: This evergreen content is from The Kapowich Vault and is intended for general informational purposes only. Laws, regulations, market conditions, and professional standards change over time. The information presented in this interview reflects the guests' knowledge and opinions at the time of recording and may no longer be current. Always consult a licensed California real estate attorney, a licensed CPA, and a licensed real estate professional before making any legal, tax, or financial decisions related to real estate transactions. CalDRE #00979413