Fallen and Moldy Insulation
The paper backing of fiberglass insulation is like candy for mold. As moisture is trapped in the crawl space and relative humidity rises, along with warm temperatures, mold and mildew begin to grow on organic materials such as the backing of insulation and wood floor joists.
Falling Insulation
Fiberglass insulation absorbs moisture like a sponge, causing it to become heavy and sag away from the floor it is supposed to be insulating. Moisture often rusts through the rods holding the insulation in place eliminating its support.
Wet Crawl Space
Water and moisture find their way into the crawl space in a variety of ways. Around the foundation walls, we can see that there is mud, indicating that water is seeping under the home. This can come through the block wall, evidenced by the staining and efflorescence on the wall, or from the soil and sediment. This contributes to the increased relative humidity in the crawl space.
Moisture Damage
Moisture seeping into the crawl space through open vents, the soil, and porous foundation walls raises the relative humidity and is absorbed by fiberglass insulation and the wood substructure. When the temperatures are warm, mold and mildew growth begin, and saturated fiberglass sags and falls, leaving floors uninsulated and creating the ideal environment for pests and critters to find their home.
Vapor Barrier
A heavy-duty vapor barrier, CleanSpace, has been installed on the crawl space floor and wrapped around all piers. This vapor barrier is sealed at all seams run up the crawl space walls 6-8 inches above outside grade. This application seals the crawl space from moisture rising from the earth and impacting the crawl space environment.
Sealed Crawl Space
All vents have been sealed off from inside the crawl space and insulated. The rim band and the sill plate, where the wood frame of the home meets the block foundation, have been sealed to prevent air infiltration. Sealing these areas blocks outside air and moisture from flooding into the crawl space from natural gaps in the home's structure.
Insulating Foundation Walls
The foundation walls are being insulated with an R-10 of closed-cell spray foam insulation. Insulating from the crawl space walls brings the crawl space into the thermal envelope of the home. A 2-inch viewing strip is left at the top of the crawl space wall for termite inspections, per VA Building Code.
