Crawl Space and Basement Insulation

Crawl Space Barriers Keep Your Home's Foundation From Rot

In most homes, the crawl space floor is the dirt upon which contractors built the house. When the soil gets saturated, water accumulates in the crawl space. Moisture from condensation also contributes to the problem.

A crawl space barrier controls the humidity in your crawl space and keeps it from causing problems in your house. The plastic barrier traps the water vapor underneath and keeps it from reaching your insulation.

This system helps avoid mold, mildew, and other common moisture-related problems. The barrier may be up to 20 millimeters thick, depending on environment.

If your home has a crawl space underneath, you may notice that moisture tends to gather around the ductwork, wiring, and plumbing typically found there. Even though you probably don't enter your crawl space much, paying attention to what is happening is still essential.

If left untended, damp environments can breed mold, insects, and other things that may damage the structure. If you notice a sour smell in the area, or if the air smells terrible every time you enter, you may need a crawl space vapor barrier system.

The earlier you get the problem treated, the more problems you can avoid.

DJG Insulation LLC is a licensed insulation contractor with over a decade of experience serving the Toms River, NJ area. We can install a vapor barrier system in your crawl space that will protect your home from moisture damage for years.

We are locally owned and BPI certified. Call DJG Insulation today for a free quote on all crawl space and basement services!

When to Check Your Home's Crawl Space

An excellent time to check your home's crawl space is after heavy rain; if you see water accumulating in puddles or creating mud, that's a sign of trouble. You may need a barrier to keep that water from reaching your home. Other signs that you need a crawl space barrier include:

• Infestations of rats, termites, or other insects that thrive in damp environments: These creatures love a water source and can destroy your home's infrastructure if you let them set up housekeeping in your crawl space. These pests pose a health hazard through the spread of disease and damage to your home.
• Decaying wood or rusting metal: Often a sign that moisture is present frequently and for long enough periods to damage the building materials. Replacing damaged components, such as plumbing and wiring, can be expensive, time-consuming, and even dangerous.
• Mold or mildew growing on the walls or floor: Indicates that the crawl space is staying too moist. Though the problem may start in the crawl space, it could also invade the interior of your home.
• A damp or musty smell always present when you enter the crawl space: Another sign that you need a moisture barrier. While the scent may be most prominent after a rain, the crawl space also smells unpleasant in dry weather.

DJG Insulation can help you determine where the moisture is coming from and how you correct the problem. The answer may be crawl space vapor barriers. Though crawl space vapor barrier is the most common term you see when reading up on the topic, they may also be referred to as air space sealers or crawl space encapsulation.

These are all terms for a system that controls moisture in the crawl space. You should contact us immediately if you see any signs in your home's crawl space. Waiting can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs if you procrastinate until problems are more advanced.

How Crawl Space Barriers Help Overall Energy Costs

When you have a crawl space vapor barrier installed, the plastic material helps reduce the amount of air that flows up from the ground. The atmosphere in the crawl space becomes "conditioned," similar to how your HVAC system heats and cools the air inside your home.

The temperature in the crawl space will stay about the same as indoors. For example, when the heat inside warms the floors in the winter, the crawl space also stays warmer. The result is that you use less energy to keep the home comfortable.

Basement Insulation Available in Many Forms

At DJG Insulation, we offer several types of basement insulation, ranging from cellulose and fiberglass batts to spray foam insulation. For unfinished basements, we can use foam board and batts, and for finished basements, we highly recommend spray foam insulation for it's effortless application.

Year-Round Insulation Services for Every Need

With a properly insulated basement, you not only start benefiting from lower energy bills, but it opens up the possibility to finish the basement and create more living space. At DJG Insulation, we are committed to serving your insulation needs throughout the year.

We provide elite insulation services throughout the Toms River, NJ area, including:

• Attic insulation
• Spray foam services
• Garage insulation
• Insulation removal
• Crawl space insulation

We are a locally owned, BPI certified insulation contractor with over a decade of experience. Call DJG Insulation today for a free quote on all crawl space and basement insulation services!