As we run air conditioners or heaters, air seeps from the home. Insulation stops it from oozing out. It saves light, gas and/or energy bills as well. If the floors are cold, but the remainder of the house is warm, the crawl space in Detroit MI 48201 needs insulation. The way you insulate crawl spaces depend on the ventilation.
Older homes have vents to air out the house. New homes have no ventilation because the crawl space has an airtight seal. Unventilated crawl spaces still need insulation around the base. Before sealing your crawl space, a licensed professional is the best resolution for proper insulation and crawl space foundation repair. Even so, you can also DIY.
- Locate the entrance to the crawl space.
- Wipe water and wet surfaces.
- After it dries completely, insulate the foundation walls around the crawl space with spray foam and slabs of the band board. Don’t insulate the ceiling or floor of the crawl space because of water and sewage pipes.
- Add a water vapor barrier on the foundation/crawl space floor.
- Tightly seal up the crawl space.
Vented crawl spaces need insulation, so follow the same steps above with a few alterations. First, the insulation goes on the foundation/crawl space floor instead of on the walls. The cool, outdoor air mixed in with warm air inside the crawl space creates moisture. The crawl space moisture causes rotting and mildew. Lastly, before closing the crawl space, wrap up pipes with insulation to prevent pipe bursts in winter.
The crawl space is just as important as the attic and basement insulations because it keeps air from leaving the home. It keeps allergens from entering other parts of the house such as HVAC’s and outdoor range hood vents. Finally, insulation keeps the air clean and keeps outside air outside. Don’t leave a gaping hole in the crawl space area. Without a vent, the opening invites insects and rodents into the home creating more problems.
Insulation is a year-round task that keeps cool air inside during hot months and keeps warm air inside during colder months. Insulate your crawl space so you can reap the benefits. For more information on crawl spaces, contact us.