General

If your home sits on a vented crawl space foundation, then you might already be familiar with the problems it brings - mold, odors, chronic humidity, moisture-loving pests, as well as the occasional unwanted guests that feed on them (snakes, skunks, stray cats, etc.). Of all these, the one thats probably the hardest to deal with is the burden that your crawl spaces can have on your finances. As you may have already noticed, an uninsulated crawl space makes the floor above it and the general temperature of your home hotter in the summer and colder in winter. This not only affects the comfort of your family, but also leads to substantial energy losses, which translates to increased energy bills. Because of this, its very important that you ensure that your crawl space is moisture-protected and properly sealed and insulated to save on energy costs, increase your comfort and enhance the durability of your home. You have two options when it comes to crawl space insulation: to hire professionals to do the job for you, or go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid if you decide to do everything yourself:

Dont Insulate an Improperly Sealed Crawl Space

The first things that come to your mind when you realize that your crawl space is too moist are a vapor barrier and insulation. Sounds like a very easy DIY project, right? Wrong. Dont make the mistake of insulating your crawl space without ensuring that the surface is properly sealed against moisture. If you do, the trapped moisture behind the insulation will always be sucked up to the upper floors, leading to problems such as reduced air quality, mold growth, and wood rot that can weaken the foundation of your home.

So, as you plan to insulate, consider sealing the space as well. This means closing and sealing all vents and then lining the walls and floor with a vapor barrier. This is meant to totally isolate the crawl space from the two main moisture sources: the ground and the outside air. After that, consider, conditioning the space with a good conditioning system or dehumidifier.

Dont Use Fiberglass Between Floor Joists Unless The Crawl Space Is Properly Sealed and Conditioned

Although this is a common practice among many home owners, using fiberglass to insulate your crawl space can prove disastrous, especially when the space is vented and unconditioned. Fiberglass absorbs moisture like a sponge. When it has absorbed enough moisture, it sags due to the weight of the water, and in the process, opens holes within the insulation blanket. This creates a suitable environment for mold to grow, as well as different pests to nest. Because of this, you may want to consider using a rigid foam board instead of fiberglass for maximum moisture protection and energy savings.

Dont Staple Vapor Barriers to Floor Joists

Some homeowners often nail or staple the plastic vapor barrier to the flooring system and wood support, with the intention of protecting the wood from the moisture. But, dont repeat this same mistake. Why? Because when you do so, the plastic will trap the moisture against the floor structure, causing rot and mold. So, unless you plan to replace your floor joists, dont do it. Overall, if you arent 100% sure of your capability to properly install your crawl space insulation, youre better off calling the experts to do the job for you. Besides protecting your home from damage, they can help you save a lot of time and money in the long run.