In the last few weeks, I’ve encountered a variety of different critters in customers’ homes. Sure… I’m used to spiders and mice. You can’t do work in basements and attics and not see them all the time. But for some reason birds, raccoons and bats have decided to hang out in homes I’m working on. Just hiring an exterminator or a pest control specialist isn’t enough.
Does your basement or crawl space look anything like this?
In our last post, we reviewed the reasons behind insulating crawl spaces. Now that you know how a crawl space should be treated, let’s take a look at how many of Madison’s homes actually have them. In total, 11.7% of Madison’s single family homes have crawl spaces and they average 291 square feet. A breakdown of crawl spaces by decade built is below. (continue reading…)
Traditionally, crawl spaces in homes have been vented to avoid moisture-related problems like mold. Over the last several years, the building science industry has determined that, in most cases, it is better to air seal and insulate a crawl space to bring it into the conditioned space of the home.
Before- An uninsulated crawl space in Maple Bluff. There is no continuous air barrier and no insulation in the floor above, making the area above the crawl space cold in the winter. Additionally, you can see signs of moisture on the far wall.
The first step in bringing crawl space work is to cover the entire floor with a thick plastic vapor barrier to stop both air and moisture from entering the home through the ground. Once a complete air and vapor barrier has been installed, the edges of the plastic should be adhered to the foundation wall using two-part spray foam. This foam not only air seals but also insulates the walls. (continue reading…)