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Absolutely. Moisture from the ground (or even concrete floor as water seeps through) will rise up and saturate the crawl space area with moisture. Anything organic in the space- including wooden beams and insulation- runs the risk of growing mold and rot, eventually affecting the structural integrity of the home and overall healthiness. Additionally, termites can enter and devour the moist wood, and mold spores will rise into your home. (This is much more common than many people think- warm air exits out of the upper levels and cool air is sucked up through the crawl space). Unsealed crawl spaces will also bring humidity into the house and be a perfect place for rodents to live and die in.
Definitely put something down. And if you have a vented crawl space, you should look into sealing those vents if local housing codes allow for it.
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When insulating a homes crawlspace does the paper side face the underside of the flooring above or does it face down?
Vapor retarder (commonly known as Vapor Barrier), is commonly used to keep moisture out of a defined area space or material. The 2006 International Building Code defines Vapor Retarder as follows: VAPOR RETARDER. A vapor-resistant material, membrane or covering such as foil, plastic sheeting or insulation facing having a permeance rating of 1 perm (5.7 ´ 10-11 kg/Pa × s × m2) or less, when tested in accordance with the dessicant method using Procedure A of ASTM E 96. Vapor retarders limit the amount of moisture vapor that passes through a material or wall assembly Vapor barrier is commonly used in crawl spaces to keep the ground moisture out of the insulating materials. In cold areas vapor barrier is applied to the WARM SIDE IN WINTER over the insulation to keep moisture from the living space from getting to the insulation and condensing as the air gets colder on the outside of the wall/floor. The building codes actually require this application in most areas. However, in crawl spaces there is usually a larger amount of moisture in the ground and most jurisdictions allow the vapor barrier material to be applied to the bottom of the insulation or crawl space side. Some jurisdictions require both sides. Remember that the newer codes require a vapor barrier on the ground in crawl spaces. IRC N1102.2.8 Crawl space walls. As an alternative to insulating floors over crawl spaces, insulation of crawl space walls when the crawl space is not vented to the outside is permitted. Crawl space wall insulation shall be permanently fastened to the wall and extend downward from the floor to the finished grade level and then vertically and/or horizontally for at least an additional 24 inches (610 mm). Exposed earth in unvented crawl space foundations shall be covered with a continuous vapor retarder. All joints of the vapor retarder shall overlap by 6 inches (152 mm) and be sealed or taped. The edges of the vapor retarder shall extend at least 6 inches (152 mm) up the stem wall and shall be attached to the stem wall. Ask your local building inspection department for advice and clarification on the best application in your area. Hope this helps! Terry NEW ANSWER To answer the question, you want to insulate the foundation of the crawlspace. Where the house meets the foundation is called the sil box. That is where 90% of the outside air is infultrating your crawlspace. Stop the problems where it starts, The foundation.(the exterior walls).
Which is better a crawl space foundation or concrete slab foundation?
without knowing your climate, the best would be a crawl space with a concrete slab.
How much will it cost to insulate your crawl space?
$800.00
What is the costs per foot of crawlspace insulation installation?
Depending on where you live, if you encapsulate your crawl space, you might not need insulation at all. Encapsulation consists in completely isolating the crawl space from outside air and the ground by lining the whole space (not just the floor) with a sturdy high-performance vapor barrier, sealing it air tight and then conditioning it with a dehumidifier or a crawl space conditioning system. This will make the crawlspace part of the internal envelope of the house and will not only offer thermal protection by eliminating drafts and protecting ducts, it will also control moisture and related problems (mold, rot, dust mites). Studies conducted by Advanced Energy and Habitat for Humanity report that encapsulated crawl spaces make homes in average 18% more energy efficient.
How do you install a furnace in a house with a crawl space?
Hire someone.
Can worms crawl above ground?
yes worms can crawl above ground
What should a dozer operator do if a tornado is approaching?
crawl underneath the dozer between the tracks. if it has a ripper attachment, lower it to the ground then crawl underneath.
In the event of a fire in the lab a student should?
If there were a fire in the lab put it out with salt. If it is a big fire get on the ground and crawl to the exit.
Do rattelsnakes migrate?
yes they crawl into a hole in the ground
How do worms escape their predators?
They probably crawl into the ground for protection.
What does the alligator use to crawl on land?
Alligators have legs which they use to crawl on land
Why do bugs like to crawl on people?
bugs crawl on people because the salt on your skin they eat it or they think your skin is like the ground
How fast can a nematode crawl under the ground?
mabilis........ na........ mabilis........ .LOL
What do they use to crawl on land?
The alligator can move speedily over the ground on four legs.
Does a millipede have an exoskeleton?
No, millipedes do not have wings. They crawl along the ground on their many legs.
What does an orange spider do to you?
They can crawl on you and you should skowosh them
Where do swimming pool water bugs come from?
Probabily the ground surrounding your pool if its in-ground. In an above-ground pool they most likely fly into the pool or crawl into it from the sides.
