Crawl space insulation helps to make your home more efficient. Without crawl space insulation, heat and air can escape. Insulation can also help to improve air quality and lessen energy costs.
A crawl space is the area of your home in which there is limited height underneath the floor of your house. There is just enough space to crawl through this space, hence the term “crawl space”. Crawl space insulation helps to make your home more efficient. Without crawl space insulation, heat and air can escape. Insulation can also help to improve air quality and lessen energy costs. Ventilated versus unventilated crawl spaces require different kinds of ventilation, but the goal is to enclose the area in a thermal envelope. Keep reading below for what you need to know about crawl space ventilation.
Ventilated Crawl Spaces
A ventilated crawl space helps to reduce moisture, which is ideal because of fiberglass installation. You can install fiberglass underneath the floor between floor joists. Vapor barriers also prevent moisture and mold that grows as a result of condensation.
Unventilated Crawl Spaces
Insulate the walls versus the subfloor of your crawl space if there’s no ventilation. Wall insulation doesn’t require as much maintenance. Also, you will save money due to pipes and ducts not needing separate insulation. Further protection includes the installation of a vapor barrier over the dirt floor. Typically, you can cover a dirt floor with sand to prevent damage.
Vapor Barriers and Encapsulations
A significant issue with crawl spaces is water runoff. Crawl spaces often have dirt floors underneath them. Water mixing with dirt creates a deluge that can cause mildew and bacteria. You can install a sheet of polyurethane on top of the dirt floor which can reduce moisture. Make sure to measure your sheet before placing it on top of the dirt floor. You want it to fit correctly. Once cutting your sheet, pull it tightly over across the floor. You may need assistance in completing this task. Then, secure the polyurethane over the perimeter of the wall using both a staple gun and moisture barrier tape. Once again, covering this sheet with sand makes it less damage-prone.
If you find that water is coming through the foundation of your home regardless of a vapor barrier, you should seek a professional. Insulating crawl spaces is a do-it-yourself (d.i.y.) home improvement project, but crawl spaces need maintenance at least every few months. If you don’t have the time to upkeep maintenance, seek a professional. Also, since crawl spaces are small, they are debilitating for the back. It would make sense to hire someone who’s used to this type of work.
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