{"id":3045,"date":"2022-02-04T19:19:10","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T00:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myenergymonster.com\/fl\/?p=3045"},"modified":"2023-01-14T16:02:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T16:02:59","slug":"how-to-insulate-a-florida-crawl-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/how-to-insulate-a-florida-crawl-space\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Insulate a Florida Crawl Space"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3046\" src=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/01\/jpegbase64f3ca409aae55a791-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/jpegbase64f3ca409aae55a791-1.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/jpegbase64f3ca409aae55a791-1-300x168.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>If you&#8217;re like most homeowners, you probably don&#8217;t think about your crawl space very often. But did you know that insulating your crawl space can have\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink broken_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hgtv.com\/design\/remodel\/interior-remodel\/crawl-space-insulation-what-you-should-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a lot of different benefits<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not only does it help keep your home warm in the short Florida winter and cool in the hot summer, but it will also increase your home&#8217;s value and improve air quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this article, we help simplify why insulating your crawl space is so important and how to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Benefits of Insulating a Crawl Space<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Insulating your crawl space isn&#8217;t just done to help survive winter weather. It also makes sure the warm Florida weather stays outside while your home stays cool on the inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We know how important it is to\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/info.wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/best-spray-foam-insulation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">keep energy costs low<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and adding insulation to your crawl space makes that happen. Proper insulation makes sure you get the most out of your AC by increasing your home&#8217;s\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/insulation-ratings-fl-homeowners-need-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">insulation value<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0up to industrial-strength R-30.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Another benefit of insulating your crawl space is that it can improve air quality. By insulating the space between your floor and the ground, you are trapping fewer pollutants and allergens inside. This can be especially beneficial for people who suffer from <a href=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/7-tips-banish-stuffy-air\/\">allergies<\/a> or asthma.|<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Should You Insulate Your Crawl Space?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you are on the fence about whether or not you should insulate your crawl space, here are a few things to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Does the inside of your home experience extreme heat in the summer? Insulating your crawl space can help keep it more comfortable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Have you checked your home&#8217;s insulation? If your home has poor insulation, adding insulation to your crawl space can make up for some of the deficiencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Do you have allergies or asthma? If so, insulating your crawl space can help <a href=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/protect-and-improve-home-air-quality\/\">improve air quality<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Best Types of Insulation to Use in a Crawl Space<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When you hear insulation, you probably think &#8220;spray foam,&#8221; but you actually have many more choices. We commonly see both fiberglass batts and cellulose used in Florida homes. Fiberglass insulation is made up of tiny glass fibers, while cellulose is made from recycled paper products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cellulose and fiberglass batts are able to be installed DIY, but <a href=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/contact-us\/\">hiring a professional<\/a> will help prevent any amateur slipups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The best option for crawl space insulation is rigid board insulation. Rigid foam insulation is made from polystyrene and installs directly on top of the crawl space walls. It may have a foil back that faces the inside of your crawl space. The foil benefits energy efficiency by reflecting the heat back into your crawl space and providing a vapor barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While all these insulation methods are effective, rigid foam is the best performing option. It is effective at trapping air and preventing heat transfer, and it also helps to reduce noise levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Installing Insulation in a Crawl Space<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The process of installing insulation is based on the type of floor insulation you choose. We will focus on rigid foam insulation since it is the insulation of choice for your crawl spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When you install your insulation, you&#8217;ll want to make sure any ventilation to your crawl space area is sealed off with caulk to prevent unwanted airflow. A properly sealed crawl space keeps warm air out and the nice cold AC air in. This is what makes rigid insulation\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/fl\/improve-your-homes-efficiency-an-overview-of-the-services-available-from-wattson-home-solutions-in-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">so energy-efficient<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#1 Check for areas where moisture can enter<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Moisture control is vital for maintaining your crawlspace&#8217;s insulation for years to come. So be sure to inspect your crawl space to check for any vulnerable areas where water might seep in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then shovel the soil that is against the outside of your house to create a path for water to flow away from the building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lastly, make sure to redirect spouts that can allow water to run along the foundation wall of your home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#2 Look for interior moisture buildup sources<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This is an easy task, and all you need is a flashlight to inspect vulnerable areas. Be sure to check areas that typically would have moisture, such as the bathroom, dishwater, or sinks. Shine your flashlight and look for key signs of water, paying close attention to plumbing pipes that run through or within your floor joists.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#3 Seal crawl space vents and doors<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Look around the outside of your home and seal vents, doors, or openings that go into your crawl space. Use exterior-grade caulk to seal any cracks or holes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#4 Seal rim joists and sills<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You should do all your sealing during the day when there is plenty of sunshine to help the seal cure and highlight gaps. You&#8217;ll need a flashlight if you don&#8217;t have good lighting in your crawl space. Examine the rim joists and sills for any light shining through. Seal these areas with silicone caulk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#5 Insulate foundation walls<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For this part of the project, you will need a latex adhesive, a rigid foam board, and a saw. Measure and cut the rigid board to fix inside the crawl space walls and use the adhesive to attach it. Use large sheets of foam board to get as few seams as possible. Seal all of the seams with PVC tape.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">#6 Cover the floor with a vapor barrier<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A plastic vapor barrier will need to be laid across the entirety of your crawl space floor. If you have any posts in your crawl space, cut the material so that it fits around it and seal these areas tightly with butyl tape. Run the vapor barrier about 12 inches up the insulated wall and tape the edges to the insulation to create an air-tight seal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the vapor barrier installed, you can enjoy an insulated crawl space that will help keep your home comfortable all year round.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Who can help me insulate my crawl space?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you&#8217;re not sure what materials you need or how to properly insulate your space, don&#8217;t sweat it. Our team of experts at Wattson Home Solutions can help you insulate your crawl space in a timely fashion and at a great price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We are here to answer all your questions and take care of you with a free assessment!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Don&#8217;t wait any longer for an insulated home. Give us a call at\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"tel:18556277674\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(855) 627-7674<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re like most homeowners, you probably don&#8217;t think about your crawl space very often. But did you know that insulating your crawl space can have\u00a0a lot of different benefits?\u00a0 Not only does it help keep your home warm in the short Florida winter and cool in the hot summer, but it will also increase [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":24,"footnotes":""},"categories":[142,144,154,176],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3045"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3045"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3045\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10365,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3045\/revisions\/10365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wattsonhomesolutions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}