If you want to waterproof your crawl space, you’re in luck. There are several different kinds of waterproofing solutions available to you. The only challenge is choosing which of these solutions you want to take advantage of. If you’re in the market for a simple solution, don’t stress yourself out looking through a catalog of waterproofing solutions. Instead, ask the contractors serving Kansas City, Moberly, St. Louis, and Springfield, Missouri, about waterproof insulation.
Insulation in Your Crawl Space
You likely already have insulation installed throughout your crawl space. There are two types of insulation that commonly get installed in a home at the time of construction: thermal and soundproof. The insulation in your crawl space is likely thermal and thus designed to help you control the temperature within that space.
While thermal insulation can help limit the effect certain forces like hydrostatic pressure can have on your crawl space, moisture can still have an immediate, detrimental impact on its overall integrity. The fiberglass that makes up most types of insulation can rapidly absorb moisture. If that moisture sits in your insulation for an extended timeframe, your insulation will no longer do its job as well as it initially did. Similarly, it can become an incubator for any mold spores that have made their way into your home.
Luckily, you do have the option of replacing traditional thermal insulation. Foam board waterproof insulation and other, similar types of treated insulation can take the protection thermal insulation offers your crawl space one step further. Waterproof insulation can create a hydrophobic, chemical barrier between your home and the outdoors. This barrier will actively drive unwanted moisture away from your crawl space, limiting the impact that moisture can have on the more sensitive parts of your home.
The different types of waterproof insulation include but are not limited to:
- Blanket insulation
- Concrete block insulation
- Foam board insulation
- Loose-fill insulation
- Reflective insulation
- Rigid insulation
- Spray foam insulation
- Structural panel insulation
Note that fiberglass insulation does not provide your home with as much waterproofing as foam insulation. You can choose what form and type of insulation to invest in, however, based on your budget as well as the needs of your home.
The Benefits of ExTremeBloc™
There are many different types of insulation out there, but none of them have the sheer power that ExTremeBloc™ has. The innovative power of ExTremeBloc™ is a big reason why Foundation Recovery Systems recommends ExTremeBloc™ for homes that are currently having issues with crawl space insulation.
If you’re looking for the best crawl space insulation option on the market, ExTremeBloc™ is definitely the perfect solution. ExTremeBloc™ is a crawl space insulation option unlike any other; it provides the required insulation that you need for a healthy crawl space while also helping combat pests and moisture. Some of the benefits of ExTremeBloc™ include the following:
- Graphite Particles
The graphite particles infused into ExTremeBloc™ improve the material’s insulation properties by a whopping 24%. The different look that ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation panels have come from the fact that these panels are truly different from anything else on the market.
- Radiant Heat Barrier
You want to avoid having your crawl space transfer heat or cold into the rest of your home. The radiant heat barrier on the visible side allows your home to avoid receiving heat and cold from the crawl space. That heat barrier also makes it possible for ExTremeBloc™ to reduce your energy usage by up to 20%.
- Protection Against Moisture
One of the best ways to use ExTremeBloc™ is to avoid issues with moisture. You can avoid plenty of moisture problems with ExTremeBloc™. It deters all sorts of crawl space moisture penetration, especially when you combine it with other features like crawl space encapsulation.
- Pest and Termite Resistance
When you have soft, wet insulation in your damp crawl space, you can be sure that you’ll end up with pests very quickly. However, ExTremeBloc™ integrates a termiticide mixture during the manufacturing process. That means if pests do reach the ExTremeBloc™ insulation, they’re likely to turn around and go the other way.
- Closed-Cell Insulation
Many types of insulation soak up moisture. That can cause serious problems and make the insulation stop working. However, ExTremeBloc™ uses closed-cell insulation to avoid this problem. Even if you have moisture come up against ExTremeBloc™, you’ll never have that water soak into the insulation.
- Rebuffs Loss of Insulation
Over time, many types of insulation simply lose their ability to insulate things as effectively. That’s where ExTremeBloc™ is different. The thermal performance of ExTremeBloc™ stays stable over time — throughout the life of your structure, the R-value of the ExTremeBloc™ insulation should never change.
- Simple Installation Process
Some types of insulation can be extremely difficult to set up and install. However, ExTremeBloc™ panels are rigid and simple to install on the crawl space walls using Foundation Recovery Systems’ special fasteners. Plus, if they ever get dirty, you can simply wipe them clean.
- Economical Option
Even with all these benefits, ExTremeBloc™ is still an economical option for your crawl space.
As you can see, there are a variety of benefits that ExTremeBloc™ can provide for you and your home. With this gigantic list of benefits, there’s no reason not to choose ExTremeBloc™ when you’re replacing your old, damaged crawl space insulation.
ExTremeBloc™ is a better option than fiberglass insulation, which can soak up water and become a breeding ground for mold. Plus, it can also attract pests. If you want the best insulation experience for your crawl space, talk to a Foundation Recovery Systems expert about installing ExTremeBloc™.
Signs of Crawl Space Insulation Damage
Waterproof insulation is a great investment for homeowners moving onto a new property for the first time. Unfortunately, because most crawl spaces are relatively small and out of the way, this purchase is one that can go overlooked in favor of a home’s more visible and immediate concerns.
The good news is that there’s no bad time to install waterproof insulation. Homeowners can just as easily have area professionals install waterproof insulation three years into their homeownership as they can as soon as they move in. The only time you don’t want to install waterproof insulation is when your crawl space is actively contending with water damage.
Crawl space damage does tend to give itself away over time, though. If you keep an eye out for some of the following signs, you’ll have an easier time determining whether your crawl space is suffering from water damage. You can more readily determine when you may want to reach out to the professionals in your area for guidance regarding your crawl space insulation.
Some of the most common signs of crawl space damage insulation damage include:
- Unpleasant smells
- Mold
- Bowing walls
- Buckling floors
- Standing water
- High levels of humidity throughout your home
Waterproofing Your Crawl Space
You can use more than just waterproof insulation to protect your crawl space from unanticipated damage. There’s a benefit to “stacking” waterproofing solutions, or using several solutions all at once. Some of the waterproofing measures that work best alongside waterproof insulation in your crawl space include:
- Crawl space encapsulation with a vapor barrier – Encapsulating your crawl space with a vapor barrier allows you to cover the whole of your crawl space, including the walls and floor. Vapor barriers are made out of a thick plastic-like material. This material is dense enough to keep water in its liquid and gaseous form out of your home.
- Dehumidifiers – Non-commercial dehumidifiers can help you control the humidity in your crawl space by pulling moisture out of the air. These dehumidifiers will not rid your crawl space of moisture entirely but rather keep your crawl space at a humidity level of roughly 55%.
- Interior drains and sump pumps – Drainage systems like interior drains and sump pumps are designed to actively remove standing water or seepage from your crawl space. Interior drains, it’s worth noting, are the first line of defense in catching any leaking water. This water is then channeled to the sump pump system to be removed from the crawl space.
Installing or Repairing Damaged Insulation in Your Crawl Space
The process of installing or replacing your crawl space insulation doesn’t take all that long when you have a professional on hand to help you out. Again, do not try to install waterproof insulation in your crawl space without help from area professionals. If your crawl space insulation has previously been damaged by moisture, it may be incubating mold spores that can put your health at risk.
The installation process is actually fairly simple. Once you properly waterproof the crawl space, which may include options like an interior drain and a sump pump, the expert who’s installing the ExTremeBloc ™ will install the panels on the walls. Foundation Recovery Systems utilizes a special fastening system that allows the expert to install the feature very easily and wipe it clean of any dust and debris. Then, as the final step in the encapsulation process, the expert will install a crawl space vapor barrier. At that point, you’ll have an effectively isolated crawl space.
The professional contractors serving Kansas City, Moberly, St. Louis, and Springfield, MO, have the safety equipment on hand to protect themselves while they remove damaged insulation from your home. They can see to it that your crawl space receives the protection it needs in little to no time at all.
Crawl Space Insulation
FAQs
If you like to get your hands dirty, or if you’re concerned about how much insulation installation may cost, you might try to take on an installation on your own. DIY work can be fun and cost-effective under the right circumstances. You should not try to repair or alter your crawl space without professional assistance. Doing this kind of work can turn out to be far more expensive and dangerous to your home than you initially anticipated.
The Dangers of DIY Crawl Space Modifications
Trying to remove and replace the insulation in your crawl space isn’t always as easy as it may seem, especially if you don’t have experience with the work. To get started, you need safety gear on hand—gloves, masks, and eyewear—to keep the fiberglass from hurting you during the removal process. Even if you have this equipment on hand, however, there is a chance that things may go wrong either during the removal or the installation of your new insulation.
For example, you may miss a spot while installing your new insulation. You may accidentally place your insulation in a place where it can catch fire or where it blocks an essential utility. If your insulation catches fire, your problems are immediate and dangerous. If you miss a spot in your crawl space, your problems may develop in the long term. Insulation that fails to protect your home allows water into your crawl space. You may think your crawl space is watertight when it is actively suffering from water damage.
The Cost of Installing Your Own Installation
You also must consider the cost of DIY crawl space insulation installations. It’s your responsibility, when you take on this kind of work, to not only bring home the materials you need to waterproof your crawl space but any tools you may not have as well. You’ll also need to invest in safety equipment to protect yourself during the removal and installation. If you make a mistake during your work, you may even need to go out and replace the materials you’ve misused.
Professionals, comparatively, don’t have to worry about the same expenses that you do. Many professional contractors already have industry connections that allow them to get discounts on the materials they need to waterproof your home. Similarly, professionals have the tools they need to remove and install waterproof insulation in your crawl space on hand. When you pay for professional services, you’re able to avoid the cost of tools and materials, even as you’re paying for the time and effort that an experienced team puts into their work.
When you’re faced with some manner of crawl space damage, it can be tempting to ignore the problem until it goes away. Unfortunately, the damage to your crawl space isn’t going to disappear once the most recent rainstorm in your area passes through. Leaving that kind of damage to sit can be dangerous both for the safety of your family and for the overall value of your home.
Worsening Damage
The longer you allow moisture to get into your crawl space, the worse the damage in that part of your home is going to be. For example, moisture that gets into your crawl space during a thunderstorm isn’t immediately going to allow mold spores to sprout. However, if you let puddles of water sit in your crawl space for weeks at a time, they can foster a degree of humidity that can allow mold to take root.
It isn’t just mold that gets worse the longer you allow your crawl space to remain damp. Wood rot spreads faster when it’s in a humid location. Your insulation can start to wilt or rot when exposed to moisture for an extended period. You may start to notice your energy bill rising as a result of this lack of protection, even if you cut back on your usage elsewhere in your home.
Crawl Space Damage and Your Home’s Value
Water-damaged crawl spaces do more than raise your electric bills. They also actively lower the value of your home. If you want to sell your home, for example, but the crawl space and its insulation are water damaged, you’ll have a more difficult time connecting with buyers. You’ll still be able to list your home on the market, but you will have to note that your home has suffered from damage that you haven’t repaired.
Noting the presence of damage in your home does more than drive off buyers. If you do find someone who wants to purchase your home, you risk losing up to 30 percent of your home’s market value in the final sale. Buyers, after all, will want to be compensated for any repairs they have to make throughout your home. Before you put your home on the market, it’s important to weigh the cost of investing in early repairs versus the losses you may take listing a damaged home.
The professional contractors you invite out to your home can do more than just install new insulation for you. If you’ve been dealing with unusual levels of moisture in your crawl space for a while, or if you want to explore other potential home waterproofing measures, you can work with area contractors to explore the options that will best suit your home.
Repair Crawl Space Damage
Your crawl space is more sensitive than its size may suggest. If it suffers from moisture damage for an extended period, then the rest of your home may start to feel that strain. Luckily, the professional contractors in your area can inspect your crawl space and help you determine what parts of it may need to be repaired.
Crawl space inspections are relatively straightforward. Contractors will inspect your crawl space’s entrance and superficial supports for immediate signs of damage or housing code violations. If your crawl space looks sturdy, experts will go a little deeper into your crawl space, watching for early signs of damage. Once an inspection is complete, you’ll receive a free services quote noting what damage your crawl space has taken on and what repairs you may need to invest in to restore the space.
Waterproof Your Crawl Space
You can also work with area professionals to waterproof your crawl space, regardless of whether it’s taken on damage or not. As mentioned, waterproof insulation can replace traditional insulation and create a hydrophobic barrier around the whole of your crawl space.
Waterproof insulation doesn’t have to work alone, though. You can also invest in additional home waterproofing measures, including vapor barriers and non-commercial dehumidifiers. Stacking home waterproofing measures, or using several measures in tandem, allows these measures to cover for one another. If, for example, you find yourself dealing with significant flooding, an interior drainage system and sump pump working together can remove standing water from your crawl space while a dehumidifier lowers the humidity both in your crawl and throughout the rest of your home.
Professionals Can Repair Your Home ASAP
If you want to install new insulation in your crawl space, don’t wait. The professional contractors at Foundation Recovery Systems can help you do just that. Schedule a free crawl space inspection and you’ll get a better idea of what kind of condition your crawl space is in. If it looks like you may need to invest in repairs in addition to insulation installation, area contractors can provide you with a free quote noting what services may best suit your needs.
Don’t let your crawl space go without the care it needs. Reach out to the contractors serving Kansas City, Moberly, St. Louis, and Springfield, MO today.
