When you think about a home and what spaces are important within, a lot of people will mention kitchen layout, an open concept floor plan, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Very rarely would someone think to mention the condition of the crawl space. Yet crawl spaces can affect both the air quality, efficiency, comfort, and integrity of your home. So how do you make sure that the crawl space in your home is at its best? The answer is simple. You insulate it.
Uninsulated or Under Insulated Crawl Space Problems
Let’s talk about the problems that come with an uninsulated crawl space. If a crawl space is uninsulated, the temperature of the crawl space will be affected by the temperatures outside. In the winter, you may find that your floors are cold because of this. If you have ductwork that runs under your home in the crawl space, the ducts will be very cold during the winter. As the air that your furnace has worked so hard to heat travels through the freezing ducts, it will be cooled off. By the time it reaches its intended destination, it will be much cooler than when it started. Cold floors and inefficient heating can lead to high energy bills and uncomfortable rooms.
Many crawl spaces are affected by moisture. Moisture brings with it the problems of mold, mildew, and rot. Crawl spaces can also be home to many different types of critters. The air that is in your crawl space will creep into your home through all of the cracks, crevices, nooks, and crannies that are unsealed. This will affect the air quality in your home. No one would choose to breathe those things voluntarily. Poor air quality can greatly diminish the quality of life for those living in your home and can cause things like respiratory problems and becoming sick more frequently.
The other problem that unwanted moisture can cause is rot and decay. If your crawl space is wet or humid, it can cause the wood in the floors of your home to rot. This will affect the structural integrity of your home and can lead to many costly repairs.
The Solution for Uninsulated and Under Insulated Crawl Spaces
Luckily there is a solution for you, and it comes in the form of insulation. You don’t want to put fiberglass insulation in the crawlspace of your home. It can retain moisture. Once wet, the effectiveness of the insulation deteriorates. It loses its r-value and wet insulation leads to many of the same problems listed above. Fiberglass is also a great home for all sorts of critters.
The best form of insulation is closed cell spray foam. Closed cell spray foam will not retain water, so you avoid all of the moisture problems. It will also seal those cracks, crevices, nooks, and crannies, regulating the temperature of your crawl space and keeping it critter free.
When RetroFoam of the Carolinas insulates a crawlspace, they start by laying down a plastic barrier on the ground. This will keep moisture out. The plastic is taped up with water resistant tape. The closed cell foam is then sprayed from the rim joist down the wall, sealing it up. With this seal you can rest assured that you will be free of moisture. You will have warmer floors in the winter, and your HVAC system will not have to work as hard to condition the air inside of your home. This will increase the air quality, efficiency, comfort, and integrity of your home.
Contact one of our foam specialists to learn how you can get a free quote. We can’t wait to hear from you!
