A past client called CPI hoping we could remedy two problems he was having. The first, and biggest problem, was that his library was located over an uninsulated crawlspace, resulting in cold floors in his library. The client’s second problem was that rodents were coming in through the siding at the top of the basement wall. After inspecting the crawlspace and the basement, we were able to devise a solution that would not only provide needed insulation, but would also prevent the infiltration of air, moisture, or animals.
Our inspection revealed that the crawlspace walls were not insulated and the spaces between the floor joists in both the crawlspace and the basement, which were against the exterior walls, were only marginally insulated or not insulated at all. To address the client’s issues, we suggested he insulate the crawlspace walls with rigid foam insulation, while insulating the spaces between the joists with a closed cell polyurethane spray-in-place foam. Each product, apart from insulating the client’s home, also specifically addressed the client’s two problems. The rigid insulation would reduce the heat loss from the cool walls, and spray foam, unlike normal fiberglass insulation, will expand into any hole or crevice, eliminating any path for air. By spraying foam into the remaining outside spaces between the joists, we also eliminated the path for mice to get into the basement. In addition to the insulation we also added a 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier to the floor of the crawlspace to prevent any water vapor from rising from the earth and finding its way into the home. Once we were done, we had turned the crawlspace and basement into an energy efficient space, eliminating the cold library floor and providing a barrier to any rodents.
Posted by cpiremodel 
