Three DIY Crawlspace Faux Pas

Fiberglass Insulation

One of the most common DIY fixes we’ll see is when homeowners jam fiberglass insulation between the joists beneath their flooring in an attempt to block out the cold. While fiberglass insulation is a reasonable fix for drier areas – like behind drywall inside a home – it’s not a good option for crawl spaces. Moisture that seeps up from the soil and condensation created by HVAC ducting is easily absorbed into exposed insulation. Once exposed to moisture, paper-backed fiberglass insulation loses almost all insulating properties and, because it’s an organic product, can actually harbor additional allergens, mold and mildew.

Appliances Vented into Crawl Spaces

More often than not, this occurs with dryers. Homeowners think that the current venting in their crawlspace will provide enough air movement to compensate for the additional moisture created from a dryer vent, but it won’t. This additional warm moisture gets pumped throughout the crawl space where it can quickly lead to mold growth and rot.

Vapor Barrier Stapled to Floor Joists

Well-meaning homeowners will often take a product that they know protects against moisture and simply run it along the underside of the flooring, stapling it to floor joists as they go. While their intentions are good, this approach actually traps moisture between the underside of the flooring and the vapor barrier itself. As temperatures rise and fall, condensation develops in the gaps between barrier and the flooring and becomes the perfect breeding ground for mold and rot.

The best way to tackle a nasty crawlspace is to call the EXPERTS!  We provide free estimates and always will be honest and forthwright in our recommendations.  We are REDIFINING the industry, call today!