Handling An Interesting Crawl Space
I am convinced that a client of mine is the victim of a shoddy crawl space ceiling insulation job, and that he should have it done right. He too in convinced.
So, the question is how best to address it.
The crawl space is only 200 sf, located below a single-room addition, with ducts in the floor. There are plenty of penetration through the floor and the sill boxes. Air is the least of our worries (it's the darn critters he wants to keep out, and reduced leakage is a bonus). The existing faced fiberglass batts (R-19) are showed into between the joists, with the kraft facing in the wrong direction. The batt insulation is only 5 years old, and it's condition has not been compromised.
The following is my proposed approach to the problem. Remove the existing batt insulation, apply a flash coat of closed-cell spray foam, cut batts to fit properly, install wire supports to keep batts flush with floor, and install a layer of house wrap to underside of joists to protect batt insulation. Sound like a winner to you pros?
Thanks in advance!
So, the question is how best to address it.
The crawl space is only 200 sf, located below a single-room addition, with ducts in the floor. There are plenty of penetration through the floor and the sill boxes. Air is the least of our worries (it's the darn critters he wants to keep out, and reduced leakage is a bonus). The existing faced fiberglass batts (R-19) are showed into between the joists, with the kraft facing in the wrong direction. The batt insulation is only 5 years old, and it's condition has not been compromised.
The following is my proposed approach to the problem. Remove the existing batt insulation, apply a flash coat of closed-cell spray foam, cut batts to fit properly, install wire supports to keep batts flush with floor, and install a layer of house wrap to underside of joists to protect batt insulation. Sound like a winner to you pros?
Thanks in advance!
Views: 304
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Cory Chovanec on -
For the cellulose and rigid I wouldn't worry about the foaming of penetrations unless they are big enough to have a blow out in the living space.
For the fiberglass and rigid, I think foaming the perimeter to seal off any leaks would be good, but probably nothing other than that.
Good luck out there.
-
Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on -
Thanks, and thank you for your input Cory!
-
Permalink Reply by Don Hynek on
-
Housewrap as your blowing barrier makes a lot of sense, though it's like wall papering a ceiling getting it in place!!
I dunno about the foam board. Where I come from (cold climate) that might work with unfaced EPS board. But If you use foil-faced Thermax, that leaves you with a vapor retarder on the cold side of the assembly, doesn't it?? Great idea in an A/C-dominant climate. But that's a really bad idea here in Wisconsin.
-
Permalink Reply by Patrick Michaelyan on
-
Don you raise a couple of good points.
As to your points about the rigid foam, the foil facing would be on the cold side, but with Thermax you have foil facing on both sides. Also, I always do all within my power to achieve an effective air seal, which has eliminated any condensation-related issues in the past. Nevertheless, I am going to think further about the points you have raised.
Patrick
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Latest Activity
tedkidd replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"Pat, I think you and I agree on a LOT of things.
One thing I don't want to see is more…"
tedkidd commented on Tom Delconte's blog post Robert Shiller Says Retrofits Are Never Worth It!"Bob B.
Buying a home is a good investment because it is forced savings more than a good…"
Joe Huang posted a discussionWhite Box Technologies launches Web-based weather data for building energy simulations
White Box Technologies is pleased to announce under agreement with ASHRAE the launch of WBT Weather…See More
Joseph Lamy commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"My life changed when I got 'ductalatored' - became familiar with proper sizing guides for…"
Judi Lyall joined allen p tanner's group
Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase
Discuss the pros and cons of the equipment you are interested in prior to purchase. Post equipment…See More
Judi Lyall replied to David Starrett's discussion I am looking for a good IR camera in the group Energy Auditing Equipment for Sale, Trade or to Purchase"Hi there
I am selling my equipment and have a great Fluke TIR for sale for 3600.00
If…"
William H Nickerson commented on Tom Delconte's blog post Lykans $29, Vampires $0 !"66 watts a/sec -3960 w/min 237600 w/hr 5702400 w/day …"
tedkidd commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"I think Tom is busting your chops Jim. The "drivel" part may not have been well…"
Tom Maides commented on Jim Gunshinan's blog post The Universe Is Made of Stories"Some of the best scientists of the previous 1000 years were also leaders in the Church. Aside…"
Laurie DiDonato posted an eventHERS Rater Training in Massachusetts at Maki Building Center
June 3, 2013 to June 8, 2013
6-Day HERS Rater Training- The first step to becoming a HERS RaterLast Week To Register!Your Cost…See More
© 2013 Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
