Should I use fiberglass insulation in my crawlspace?

The majority of American homes and crawlspaces are insulated with fiberglass. Although, if you are interested in finding the most efficient and safe insulation for your crawlspace at a cost-effective price you might want to think through the idea of using fiberglass to get the job done. Fiberglass is meant to be used in clean, dry spaces. That is where it’s most effective. Fiberglass insulates by trapping air in the fibers. When fiberglass insulation becomes wet like in many damp crawlspaces, it is useless due to the fact that it is too heavy and falls from the floor.

Most crawlspaces are vented or damp.  Venting hot, humid air in the summer causes the insulation to sweat and hold moisture.  When fiberglass becomes wet, it will grow mold on the paper side.  The resin and paper side of the insulation has become known as “mold candy” in the crawlspace industry.

On top of fiberglass being an inappropriate insulation for crawlspaces, it is also a potentially hazardous material that can cause physical harm if the small particles are touched or inhaled. This can be extremely dangerous when you consider that a crawlspace is meant to allow someone underneath the home for maintenance and repairs. This type of tight space should not hold a material that has the potential to cause harm.  Fiberglass insulation is best used inside closed spaces such as walls.

Not only is fiberglass potentially dangerous in a crawlspace, but it is also less effective in comparison to other types of insulation. There are some other alternative insulation materials that allow you to get the most bang out of your buck while keeping safety in mind.

Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is a viable insulation option for dry crawlspaces. Due to its ability to expand after being applied this foam insulation can attain air tight sealing around pipes, ducts, wiring and fixtures.  It also protects buildings from both pests and mold. It is very important for a professional to install this material. If done wrong it can create a huge mess or even damage the integrity of the floor or wall.  It is recommended for the bandboard and foundation walls of the crawlspace; however, damp foundation walls will trap the moisture in the wood causing wood rot.  Contact a Waterproofing professional before considering spray foam insulation. Call Indiana crawlspace Repair at 317-893-7016

Rigid Foam Board Insulation

Recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy is foam board insulation. There are three different types of this insulator that are all water-resistant and non-absorbent. To make matters better it is less expensive than foam spray, and can be found at several home improvement stores.

If your floors are becoming chilled as the weather becomes cooler, an inspection of your insulation can make all the difference. Always call a professional for an estimate and some recommendations of how you can better insulate your home. Sealing the crawlspace and improving the insulation will raise the effectiveness of your heating and cooling system, and most homeowners usually feel the difference right away in the comfort of their home and in their utility bills.

How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes in Your Home Crawlspace

Winter comes every year in Indiana. The extremely cold weather should not come as a surprise to Hoosiers, and it has some unfortunate consequences for those who are not prepared. The cold can cause pipes to freeze and can create a big headache for homeowners in Indianapolis. When water freezes, it expands. This is bad news for water pipes. Frozen water puts stress on pipes and can cause them to burst, no matter what material the pipes are made of. There are a many quick and simple ways to prevent your water pipes from freezing, saving you time and money.

Open cabinets and doors

Keeping the whole house warm including the cabinets under the sink will ensure that the pipes are staying warm and therefore unlikely to freeze.  On days and nights when the temperature drops below freezing it is extremely important for the pipes to have access to heat from your home.  The pipes under your sink usually touch an outside wall and then run down through your crawlspace. Opening cabinet doors is a simple task and will help keep your pipes from freezing.

Keep the water running

When it becomes cold outside and freezing pipes are a worry, keep your faucets turned on. Only a trickle is recommended, you don’t want a huge water bill.  The running water will prevent the pipes from freezing due to the fact that the water is moving.

Do not turn down the heat

Even if you are planning on going out of town, do not let your home temperature fall below 55° F. The temporary increase in your heating bill may be annoying, but it will cost significantly less than having to replace bursting pipes due to extreme cold temperatures.

Insulating water pipes

A number of products exist to insulate water pipes including pipe sleeves, heat tape, and heat cable. Even newspaper is known to provide protection against the cold, but only in areas that do not remain below freezing for long periods of time.  Insulating pipes and the surrounding area is a very easy and effective way of preventing water pipes from bursting.

Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation, or the process of sealing a crawl space, is possibly the most effective way to keep crawlspaces from dropping to extremely low temperatures. This by no means is a DIY project. It involves specific knowledge and tools. Hiring pro

fessional to do this job will ensure it is done right the first time.  Sealing out cold air from entering the crawl will ensure your pipes do no freeze in the crawlspace.  By encapsulating the space you will have a long term and efficient way of keeping your pipes from freezing for many winters to come.  Give us a call for a free no cost estimate.  1-317-893-7016