Your home's crawl space might be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind.  Often overlooked, this area beneath your house plays a crucial role in maintaining your home's structural integrity and energy efficiency. Retrofitting your crawl space with closed cell spray foam insulation can be a game-changer for your home's comfort and sustainability. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of crawl space insulation and how closed cell spray foam can be a game changer for your home’s performance.

Let's understand why insulating your crawl space is essential. An uninsulated or poorly insulated crawl space can lead to various issues, including:

Energy Loss: Crawl spaces can allow cold or hot air to infiltrate your home, causing your HVAC system to work harder, resulting in higher energy bills.

Reduced Indoor Air Quality: Up to 50% of the air you breathe in your home comes from under the home, being your crawl space.  An uninsulated crawl space will introduce allergens, pollutants, and odors into your home.

Moisture Problems: A very common problem in southern and humid climates, is controlling moisture.  Moisture in crawl spaces can lead to mold growth, wood rot, and structural damage. 

Pest Infestations: Open crawl spaces can provide easy access for pests like rodents and insects.

Now, let's explore why spray foam insulation is an ideal choice for retrofitting your crawl space:

High R-Value: Spray foam insulation has a high R-value, indicating its excellent insulating properties. It forms a continuous, airtight seal that prevents heat transfer, helping to keep the lowest level of your home comfortable year-round.

Air Sealing: Spray foam seals gaps and cracks effectively, preventing unwanted drafts and air infiltration from the crawl space.

Moisture Control: Closed-cell spray foam acts as a moisture barrier, preventing water vapor from entering the crawl space. This reduces the risk of mold and structural damage.  For homes located where humidity is often over 60%, especially in the summer months, we recommend the following 3-step approach.  First, have any vents to the outside fully sealed off with vent covers.  Second, have closed cell spray foam insulation applied to all 4 walls of the crawl space, which will seal off the entire space while also creating a vapor barrier to support moisture control.  Third, we suggest installing a dehumidifier in the crawl space to control humidity levels, ideally not exceeding 50% humidity.  This approach will take care of persistent moisture issues and will prevent potential mold and structural issues with the home.

Durable and Long-Lasting: Spray foam insulation doesn't sag, settle, or degrade over time, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Pest Resistance: Spray foam's solid barrier discourages pests from entering your crawl space, keeping your home pest-free.

Retrofitting your crawl space with spray foam insulation involves several steps:

Inspection: A professional inspects your crawl space to identify existing issues and assess the insulation needs.

Preparation: The crawl space is cleaned and prepped to ensure a smooth installation.

Application: Trained technicians apply the spray foam insulation to the walls and/or subfloor, creating an airtight barrier.

Quality Check: Inspectors ensure that the insulation is properly applied and meets the required standards.  Typically, the homeowner should expect to vacate their home for 24 hours post-installation being reentering the home.

Investing in crawl space insulation with spray foam can lead to substantial energy savings. Lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs, and increased home value contribute to a quick return on investment (ROI). Over time, the energy savings can outweigh the initial insulation costs.