Damp Insulation and Gaps within the Vapor Barrier
The insulation in the floor joists of this crawl space was damp with water and beginning to sag. The nets were the only thing keeping the fiberglass batts in place. There are also gaps between the vapor barrier and the dirt floor and foundation walls of the crawl space, allowing moisture to enter and raise the relative humidity.
Installing a CleanSpace Vapor Barrier
We installed a 20-mil vapor barrier, called CleanSpace, over the dirt floor of the crawl space. This liner is wrapped around all piers and is mechanically fastened to the foundation wall, six to eight inches above the outside grade. The CleanSpace will help to keep the outside moisture from entering the crawl space.
Porous Foundation Walls and Open Vents
The foundation walls of this crawl space are porous, which allows the outside moisture to seep through them, creating efflorescence on the surface of the walls. The open vents are also allowing the outside air and moisture to freely enter, becoming trapped and affecting the crawl space environment.
Installing SilverGlo Insulation
We installed SilverGlo insulation boards over the foundation walls of this crawl space. With an R-10 rating, this foamboard insulation will act as an air barrier and vapor retarder, protecting the crawl space from any outside influence. The open vents lining these walls were also blocked with smaller foamboard pieces before being covered by the SilverGlo, adding even more protection.
