Your heating system is less efficient if your crawl spaces are not insulated.If you want to save money on energy and keep your home warm, insulate your crawl space and you can do it in an afternoon.If you want your crawl space to be free of mold, you need to seal it.Cold air is less likely to come in after you insulate the crawl space walls.If you insulate the walls, you can put insulation between the joists on the ceiling to keep the main floors warm.
Step 1: If there is standing water, have your crawl space drained.
The water on the floor could cause wood rot or mold if you try to insulate your crawl space.If you want to have the crawl space cleaned out, you need to contact a professional service.The service you hire will either dig a trench or install a drain in the ground to keep water out of the future.It can cost up to $1,000 to drain your crawl space.If your crawl space is not properly drained and fixed, you are at risk of having your insulation damaged.It could be easy to develop mold if you install insulation in the crawl space.
Step 2: Vent covers lead into your crawl space from the outside.
Vents between the crawl space and outside are used to promote air flow, but they can also trap water inside.If you go outside your home, you can find any vents that lead into the crawl space.Attach the vent cover to the hole with a screw and make sure it's large enough to cover it.You can buy vent covers from your local hardware store.Vent covers that don't have a waterproof seal will occasionally leak.
Step 3: Silicone caulk can be used to fill cracks and gaps in the crawl space.
You can find holes and gaps in the wall and ceiling of your crawl space by searching there.If you want to squeeze the caulk into the gaps, you need to put a tube of caulk in a caulk gun.Make sure the caulk is completely sealed from the outside by pushing it into the gap further with a plastic knife.Continue until you have covered all of the cracks.There are gaps between the ceiling and the subfloor.If you want, you can apply spray foam insulation to seal the gaps.Feed the spraying end into the gap with the can of foam upright.Press the button to fill the gap.
Step 4: The sheets should be on the floor.
Use a tape measure to find the length and width of your crawl space.Place the polyethylene on the crawl space floor.If you bend the sheets up, you will be able to extend them by 6 inches (15 cm) up the wall.If you need to lay another sheet, be sure to overlap the seams by at least 12 inches (30 cm).You can either leave the sheets open or tape them together.You can get the sheets from the store.
Step 5: Measure the length and height of your walls.
Start in the corner of your crawl space and use the tape measure from the floor to the top of the ceiling to find the height.Pull the end of your tape measure across from the corner to find the wall's length.The surface area of the wall can be found by using the height and length.If there are any other walls in your crawl space, repeat the process.Take the height measurement in multiple spots on the wall and use the tallest height you can find if the floor is not even.
Step 6: Water damage can be prevented by choosing rigid foam board for your walls.
The solid surface of the rigid foam board makes it more waterproof and prevents mold from developing in your crawl space.If you want to know how well the insulation works in your climate, look for insulation board that is at least 2 inches thick and has an R-value of 7.7.You don't want to leave any areas exposed if you buy enough insulation.You can find rigid foam board insulation at your local home improvement store.Since the vapor barrier is already built into the insulation, you don't need to buy a separate barrier.
Step 7: To cut it to size, slice through the back of the foam board.
The back side faces up if the foam board is set on a flat surface.If you want to hold the knife at a 45 degree angle to the insulation, extend the blade as far out as you can.Pull the blade straight through the foam.Continue cutting the insulation pieces as you need them, because they fit your walls perfectly.The foam board will break if you use a sawing motion while cutting it.If you want to make your cuts straight, use a straightedge.
Step 8: Attach the foam board to the wall with waterproof glue.
The back side of the foam board should be facing up.If you want to stick the foam board onto the wall, you have to spray the glue around the edges.Press around the edges so glue sticks to the wall.Make sure there are no gaps in the insulation by working around the walls of your crawl space.You can buy spray glue at a hardware store.Apply more glue to the middle of the foam board if the insulation doesn't stick after you glue the edges.
Step 9: The insulation boards need to be sealed with waterproof tape.
Cut strips of waterproof tape that match the length of the seams between the boards after placing them around your walls.It is easier to apply tape if you start from the ceiling of your crawl space.Press the tape firmly so it has a firm connection.You can get waterproof tape from a store.
Step 10: The crawl space has a ceiling.
Start your tape measure in one of the ceiling corners.To find the ceiling length, extend the tape measure to the corner.To find the width, pull the end of the tape measure along the other wall.You know how much insulation you need to buy by calculating the height and width.If you want to buy insulation, you need to know the width of the ceiling joists.
Step 11: The easiest way to install fiberglass insulation batts is to pick R-11 or R-25.
The insulation's effectiveness is compared to the climate in your area.If you live in a warm climate with high humidity, opt for insulation batts that have an R-11 rating.R 25 insulation is thicker and will keep your home warmer if you live in a cold climate.Make sure the batts you buy are the same width as the floor joists, otherwise they won't fit.You can find insulation batts at your local hardware store.If there aren't batts that fit between your joists, then you should get a larger size.It will make the insulation less effective if it is too narrow.
Step 12: To prevent irritation, wear safety glasses, a dust mask, and gloves.
Small particles of fiberglass insulation can cause irritation on your skin or lungs.Wear safety glasses that cover your eyes and a dust mask that protects your mouth and nose.If you want to have the least amount of skin exposed, wear long-sleeved clothing, pants, and gloves.
Step 13: Use a utility knife to cut the insulation.
The vapor barrier should be on the back of the insulation.You need to cut a straightedge across the line to compress the foam.Using the straightedge as a guide, slice through the foam with a utility knife.Continue cutting the insulation until it is the same length as your joists.If the insulation doesn't fit between the joists, you may need to trim the width.
Step 14: The vapor barrier should face up if the insulation is pushed between the ceiling joists.
The vapor barrier should be touched by the insulation in the spaces between the joists.It won't be as effective if the insulation is compressed.If the ceiling is not visible or exposed, air will still be able to escape and make the main floors in your home colder.Continue pressing the insulation between the joists.It won't create an effective seal if you let the insulation bunch up.You may need to cut the insulation to fit.
Step 15: Every 12–18 in, place wire supports between the joists.
The wire supports keep the insulation from falling out.If you push the support up against the insulation, it will not compress more than 1 inch.You don't need to secure the wood because the ends of the support stick into it.Place the supports along the length of the joists to keep the insulation from moving.It is possible to staple landscaping paper between the joists to prevent the insulation from falling, but it may be difficult to access or replace the batts.If the wire supports are too wide, you may need to cut them.If necessary, use a pair of wire cutter.