How Do I Insulate My Crawlspace?
Insulating your crawl space can help prevent the loss of heat and cold through the floor of the house, thus saving you money on energy costs. Install insulation in a sealed crawl space since a ventilated crawl space can collect moisture that becomes trapped in the insulation material and provides a thriving environment for mold and mildew. Check with your local town hall whether its building codes permit insulation in a crawl space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Remove Moisture
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The combination of moisture, mildew and mold may also contribute to rotting the wood beneath the floors of the house. Install a dehumidifier in a sealed crawl space to further aid in the removal of moisture. Any water heater or combustion furnace in the crawl space should be sealed-combustion units to prevent further accumulation of moisture within the crawl space.
Install the Insulation
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Set the first batt or sheet of fiberglass insulation between the joist with the kraft paper vapor barrier against the ceiling of the crawl space and the insulation facing toward you. The end of this fiberglass batt should be set at the side of the crawl space farthest from the opening so you can work your way backward for ease of installation. Set the fiberglass batt insulation in place using joist wires or tiger teeth support rods. Set fiberglass batt insulation behind all pipes and ducts in the crawl space.
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Safety
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Wear pants, a long-sleeve shirt, plastic or rubber gloves, goggles, a mask, a protective hat and boots when working with fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass particles are an extreme irritant and prolonged exposure can cause itching as they become lodged in the skin. Seek immediate medical attention if fiberglass particles come in contact with the eyes or are inhaled.
Local Building Codes
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If you have pest control services, then check with the pest control company whether adding insulation to the crawl space would provide a further breeding ground for termites, water bugs or other household pests. Ask whether they allow you to install a termite shield in the crawl space after you've installed insulation. Most building codes require ventilation of a crawl space to allow the removal of moisture. A crawl space that includes a dehumidifier and exterior drainage may not require such ventilation, but local building codes may still require vents in the crawl space.
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