Hey Michael, I’ve been watching you’re vids on encapsulation and reading info about home energy efficiency “comfort” for quite awhile now, I’m a carpenter/construction worker by trade, and am always interested in info regarding home improvements. I have spent the last almost two years now renovating the exterior of our house starting with tearing down a hillbilly addition and rebuilding a real one on our home including tearing off THREE LAYERS of shingles and putting a brand new roof on, also new James hardie siding with an air gap and a one inch layer of polyisofoam beneath that and really cut our drafts down significantly. Not only that but it is a huge improvement from the lipstick on the pig concept the last owners did, now I’m moving to the crawl space and wanting to encapsulate it with taking down insulation between floor joists and adding r 10 to the block walls, a new liner to the rim joist/mud sill and adding a couple vents for heat and air to condition that space. (Keep in mind this house was built in 1973 and they used 2x6 2’ on center for joists ) 😂, which I’m also adding some new beams and piers in areas where needed, kitchen and living room for example Not sure if I’m going to need a dehu or not since it will be a conditioned space with an install of bigger ac/heat pump, all our a/c is ducted in through the attic. Probably would’ve been easier if I just sent you an email Instead of this rant.
Hi! In my crawl space I have wood pony walls that sit on the concrete blocks. The pony walls range from 1 foot to 5 feet tall. Do I install insulation boards on these pony walls as well?
Another helpful video for the DIYers and those interested in how experienced professionals do a job. Do you have a video where you explain how you decided on the foam board you use, e.g. EPS, XPS or polyiso?
Hey Michael, I've got a 2.5'x2.5' opening going down into my 4' tall, 2000sqft crawl space, so I'm guessing that I wouldn't be able to get foam board into the crawl space very easily. Do you suggest I use closed cell spray foam? Should I spray that over my vapor barrier on the walls? Or is it worth cutting a bunch of 2.5'x4' pieces and feeding them down through the opening?
Hello Michael! I have watched so many of your videos and they have been very helpful. Question… have you ever installed fur strips to concrete walls and then put foam board on strips creating an air gap? Would this increase the R VALUE of the foam board. Just about to do my walls this month. Thank you
Hello, your videos have been very informative! I have a question, the foam board that you install in crawlspaces, does it not require any kind of 15 minute thermal barrier to meet fire code? I have watched a lot of yours and others videos but thermal barrier and fire codes are never mentioned that I have seen. Is it not required in a crawl space? Thank you!
Hello. I thank you for posting!! Question if you want to answer. I just had my 600sq foot craw space encapsulated with r-14 foam board on the walls and 12 mill vapor barrier above it. The vapor barrier goes up to the sill plate and then spray foamed around the sill plate. The vents a sealed. Now my question. Lol. Is R-14 foam board thick enough with the vapor barrier over it; too help keep the cold from coming in?
Usually applied to rough uneven surfaces it would eventually work its way to the dirt to hopefully enter the waterproofing system that is installed inside the crawl space.
In the case of sloppy brick mortar around the perimeter, interior crawlspace wall, would you use spacers to keep the foam board uniform or scrap off the excess mortar? Or is there another technique? Thanks! You guys are great!
@@CrawlSpaceNinja Ok., I'm up north, should I just insulate the walls and leave the crawlspace ceiling bare. I have a dehumidifier and there is no mositure in my crawlspace. its about 25% in the winter and about 50% in the summer. thanks for your help.
That is what we do here in the Southeast, but your situation may be different. Here is the most recent video we did about the difference between insulating the foundation walls vs the subfloor that may be helpful in deciding what to do ua-cam.com/video/JZfksZZbrW0/v-deo.html
@@CrawlSpaceNinja, just double checking here. This means the vapor barrier is not attached to the wall? And just attached to the foam board? Are you sealing the vapor barrier at point of interconnection between the wall and the board? Thanks for all the clarity.
@@richardmitchell5129 ..aww he probably overlooked you....don't take it personally... The top course of block is not covered so that it can be inspected for termites.
I have seen many people use 2" thick rigid foam board and can spray foam to insulate crawlspace rim joists. But, except both the pink and blue brands explicitly state of the front and back of the product that the product is combustible and must be covered up by something that provides at least 15 minute burn protection. Reason being is that the rigid foam board gives off toxic fumes when burning and can render you unconscious before you might be aware of anything burning. So, do you have any suggestions for coverings in a crawlspace? Thanks in advance.
Yes that can be an issue with certain foam boards and spray foams. They make a fire retardant barrier like a paint that you will need to paint over the blue and pink boards.
Absolutely! We actually just did a video not too long ago talking about the difference between wall insulation and subfloor insulation that you may find helpful: ua-cam.com/video/JZfksZZbrW0/v-deo.html
My house has brick not concrete blocks, how would you use the foam board on the bricks. Or, is there a better idea like close cell spray foam since the brick dont have a flat and level surface?
I just bought a house last month and was down there insulating my pipes yesterday and noticed the foam board insulation has about a 1/2 inch gap between it and the poured concrete foundation. Is this still insulating it with the space between it? I believe it was put up with the fasteners and not glued.
Usually an air gap adds more value. For example if we install Insulbarrier, we can increase R value with a 3/4 inch air gap. I don't like air gaps against wood because it can trap moisture but an air gap on concrete is usually ok. Is there a local insulation contractor that can verify it is ok? Insulbarrier - diy.crawlspaceninja.com/insulation-vapor-barrier/
I 've been insulating my crawlspace, fiberglass between the joists, closing vents and insulating around them, vapor barrier on the ground. Spray foamed rim joists, but I'm reading what building science says that crawlspaces should also be conditioned. What exactly does this mean? Surely they aren't suggesting we heat and cool the crawlspace? What do you say?
Having a dehumidifier down there should be sufficient and satisfy most building code requirements. You can opt for conditioning your crawl space, but you will need to consult your HVAC company to make sure your system is properly sized to handle the extra load, and we don't particularly recommend doing that.
We recommend you put the vapor barrier OVER the foam board, otherwise the foam board will not be suitable to insulate the walls through the vapor barrier seeing that foam board is R10 valued.
Should I use the ramset nailgun and a plastic disc to attach the panels to a poured-concrete crawlspace wall? Or should I use some sort of adhesive product? (Liquid nails? Or other glue-in-a-tube?)
I'd choose ramset or any masonry application (like Hilti DX5/GX3) over adhesive only if you can. Butyl tapes are great at sealing and assisting lone DIY Crawl Space Ninjas by holding up board or plastic but would most likely fail over time.
Make sure the screw penetrates at least 1 inch into the concrete. To determine the minimum length of screw required, add 1 inch to the thickness of the material you're attaching. In hard, dense materials like concrete or stone, this minimum 1 inch screw embedment will work fine.
hi Mike, your videos have been very informative thank you. I'm about to encapsulate my crawl space and could use some advice. I live in new Hampshire where it is extremely humid in the summer and quite snowy n cold in the winter. my crawl space( well I'm actually a renter) is stacked stone and very un even. I was wondering if you recommend froth Pak or any other 2part closed cell spray on the stone or just use the foam board against it?
Great question Neil. 2 component spray foam is great for uneven surfaces. So yes that's a great way to do it. I decided to answer your question on our blog. crawlspaceninja.com/crawl-space-repair/how-to-insulate-crawl-space-wall-stone-brick/
Here is one question, if I have crawl space and have my furnace/AC unit under the house. Can I return the heat and AC under the house? the return registers are just a hole in the floor near all the baseboards. That's the way it was done in Northern Pennsylvania. Only it was just heat. The system kept the floor warm because the cold return was warm enough and much higher than outside. I would like to do this in North Georgia. The idea is to cut down on moisture under the house it's a small home one bedroom, one bath and kitchen and living room. I would also like to foam the foundation with R 10 sheets and would like to line the floor with the R10 sheets as well after I put down plastic barrier. 73
So how’s the cost compared to standard insulation between the joists? Is the insulation between the joists no longer needed when you insulate the side a of the foundation?
Insulation between the joists is no longer needed only if you have sealed the vents of the crawl space. The costs will vary by region but we find it much more cost effective when installing. Thanks for watching!
Some contractors recommend a 3 inch gap between the crawl floor and the base of the foam board in addition to the termite gap. Do you see a reason to do that?
Good morning James, we do not leave a 3 inch gap between the floor and the foam board. That being said our foam board is rated for floor contact, in your situation that might be a question that needs to be asked... hope this helps!
I have a crawl space with a rat slab in place. There are no water issues. My current setup up has vents and a vented door into the space. I would like to insulate and encapsulate the space for better heat retention in the winter. The room above the crawl space is an office area and was part of an addition. Do I need to worry about termites if there is a rat slab? Also, I live in Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. How important is a dehumidifier for an encapsulated craw space with a rat slab?
Slab layers can crack as they settle, shift, and move with time and the weather. Termites could enter the home through a tiny crack. Furthermore, pipes and other utility openings are easy to have small openings around. Termites can gain access to these areas if they are not sealed off. You won't see this happen, though. Termites can easily remain undetected for a long time before causing significant damage. You should always use a dehumidifier in an encapsulated crawl space to get the most benefit out of your encapsulation.
if a vapor barrier is attaching to the top of the wall and the vapor barrier at the floor is it possible that the foam board be sandwiched between the wall and the vapor barrier, just held in place but not attached?
It's not necessary to have both. We insulate the walls because we typically have to remove the floor insulation in order to address mold issues. If you are not controlling humidity, fiberglass insulation can hold excess moisture and eventually cause mold growth on the floor joists.
Just make sure it is ground contact rated. Normally they carry an R10 that is used in crawl spaces but you may have to ask which one because the look the same.
How do you get larger pieces of foam board into small crawl space doors? Can you score and fold full pieces leaving the outer film layer intact, or is it a matter of just cutting to the width that fits thru the door and taping each piece
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thank you so much I love your program very much but do not want to make a mistake and have a problem l know you are the best on this program l will do my best
What R-value do you need? It looks like you have a single layer of boards. Is it beneficial to double the boards? (I live in NC.) Are the boards in contact with the ground? Or slightly off the ground? Thank you for your knowledge, you are helping others with your efforts!
As a company we do not use sealant, normally we pair the foam board with the vapor barrier and a water management system to prevent any water intrusion.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja looking around and am not finding this scenario. When Encapsulating and insulating with foam boards. Would you go up the walls with vapor barrier then come back with foam or vise versa?
@@xxxallenbigalexxx You can do either, but we recommend installing the foam board and then the vapor barrier so that the vapor barrier is punctured less.
Yes, if you choose to insulate the walls with foam board, check with your local codes enforcement to see what the requirements are for termite gaps in your area. In Tennessee, we are required to leave at least a 3" gap.
I've watched AND enjoyed a number of your videos, but I have to say this is probably the least helpful video that I have seen of yours. Where is the part where you actually show how the boards are affixed to the wall? You talk about it, but don't show it. By the way, I don't have $1000 to spend on a Hilti gun.
Hi David, I'm sorry you did not find this video helpful. We have a video showing how to install foam board here: ua-cam.com/video/j0PQCi8sMgc/v-deo.html. We also have a lease program available for those who do not want to or cannot purchase a Hilti gun: diy.crawlspaceninja.com/hilti-dx5-lease/. Thanks for your support and feedback.
Hey Michael, I’ve been watching you’re vids on encapsulation and reading info about home energy efficiency “comfort” for quite awhile now, I’m a carpenter/construction worker by trade, and am always interested in info regarding home improvements. I have spent the last almost two years now renovating the exterior of our house starting with tearing down a hillbilly addition and rebuilding a real one on our home including tearing off THREE LAYERS of shingles and putting a brand new roof on, also new James hardie siding with an air gap and a one inch layer of polyisofoam beneath that and really cut our drafts down significantly. Not only that but it is a huge improvement from the lipstick on the pig concept the last owners did, now I’m moving to the crawl space and wanting to encapsulate it with taking down insulation between floor joists and adding r 10 to the block walls, a new liner to the rim joist/mud sill and adding a couple vents for heat and air to condition that space. (Keep in mind this house was built in 1973 and they used 2x6 2’ on center for joists ) 😂, which I’m also adding some new beams and piers in areas where needed, kitchen and living room for example Not sure if I’m going to need a dehu or not since it will be a conditioned space with an install of bigger ac/heat pump, all our a/c is ducted in through the attic. Probably would’ve been easier if I just sent you an email Instead of this rant.
You did help thank you!! You directed me towards a starting path! Thank you!
Hi! In my crawl space I have wood pony walls that sit on the concrete blocks. The pony walls range from 1 foot to 5 feet tall. Do I install insulation boards on these pony walls as well?
Another helpful video for the DIYers and those interested in how experienced professionals do a job. Do you have a video where you explain how you decided on the foam board you use, e.g. EPS, XPS or polyiso?
S & J Property Services Thank you so much !
Glad to see that I do not have to attach the panels to the wall. that would just be more work.
Hey Michael, I've got a 2.5'x2.5' opening going down into my 4' tall, 2000sqft crawl space, so I'm guessing that I wouldn't be able to get foam board into the crawl space very easily. Do you suggest I use closed cell spray foam? Should I spray that over my vapor barrier on the walls? Or is it worth cutting a bunch of 2.5'x4' pieces and feeding them down through the opening?
Collin Scott Thank you so much ! We would rather cut board and install but spray foam will work too.
Hello Michael! I have watched so many of your videos and they have been very helpful. Question… have you ever installed fur strips to concrete walls and then put foam board on strips creating an air gap? Would this increase the R VALUE of the foam board. Just about to do my walls this month. Thank you
We do this exact tactic with our insul-vapor barrier. Doing so does increase the R Value
Hello, your videos have been very informative! I have a question, the foam board that you install in crawlspaces, does it not require any kind of 15 minute thermal barrier to meet fire code? I have watched a lot of yours and others videos but thermal barrier and fire codes are never mentioned that I have seen. Is it not required in a crawl space? Thank you!
the foam board we use has a fire retardant in it! thanks for asking!
New subscriber here... I see you're passionate about your work and God has blessed you.
Hello. I thank you for posting!! Question if you want to answer. I just had my 600sq foot craw space encapsulated with r-14 foam board on the walls and 12 mill vapor barrier above it. The vapor barrier goes up to the sill plate and then spray foamed around the sill plate. The vents a sealed. Now my question. Lol. Is R-14 foam board thick enough with the vapor barrier over it; too help keep the cold from coming in?
What happens if moisture comes through the perimeter walls of the crawl space? Wouldn’t this wall insulation trap moisture?
Usually applied to rough uneven surfaces it would eventually work its way to the dirt to hopefully enter the waterproofing system that is installed inside the crawl space.
In the case of sloppy brick mortar around the perimeter, interior crawlspace wall, would you use spacers to keep the foam board uniform or scrap off the excess mortar? Or is there another technique?
Thanks! You guys are great!
They rarely answer questions in the comments section....Ask them directly.
Knock the unnecessary/sloppy mortar off with a mortar chisel and hammer
does the vapor barrier go over the insulation board? or just run it to the bottom of the wall?
We will typically run it to the top of the insulation board.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja Ok., I'm up north, should I just insulate the walls and leave the crawlspace ceiling bare. I have a dehumidifier and there is no mositure in my crawlspace. its about 25% in the winter and about 50% in the summer. thanks for your help.
That is what we do here in the Southeast, but your situation may be different. Here is the most recent video we did about the difference between insulating the foundation walls vs the subfloor that may be helpful in deciding what to do ua-cam.com/video/JZfksZZbrW0/v-deo.html
@@CrawlSpaceNinja, just double checking here. This means the vapor barrier is not attached to the wall? And just attached to the foam board? Are you sealing the vapor barrier at point of interconnection between the wall and the board? Thanks for all the clarity.
Great video but why did you not cover the top course of block. Rick from illinois
Ok thanks for the answer. Keep up the great work I know crawls are no fun
@@richardmitchell5129 ..aww he probably overlooked you....don't take it personally... The top course of block is not covered so that it can be inspected for termites.
What if your walls are stone, and don’t have the flatness of cinder blocks? Ideas?
If you have uneven stone or brick foundation walls, we recommend spray foam. Check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/369yfSqPvP8/v-deo.html
I have seen many people use 2" thick rigid foam board and can spray foam to insulate crawlspace rim joists. But, except both the pink and blue brands explicitly state of the front and back of the product that the product is combustible and must be covered up by something that provides at least 15 minute burn protection. Reason being is that the rigid foam board gives off toxic fumes when burning and can render you unconscious before you might be aware of anything burning. So, do you have any suggestions for coverings in a crawlspace? Thanks in advance.
Yes that can be an issue with certain foam boards and spray foams. They make a fire retardant barrier like a paint that you will need to paint over the blue and pink boards.
I live in eastern nc so I can buy everything but the board from you so what's my best option what kind brand ect n where can I buy it thanks
We cannot do any recommendations for foam board, unfortunately, we do not have that knowledge. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I want to use the stuff you use but I don't know we're to get it I believe you said you don't ship your foam board
What do u think about spray foam insulation instead?
Can you keep the insulation between the joist and still seal up the vents and encapsulate it?
Absolutely! We actually just did a video not too long ago talking about the difference between wall insulation and subfloor insulation that you may find helpful: ua-cam.com/video/JZfksZZbrW0/v-deo.html
My house has brick not concrete blocks, how would you use the foam board on the bricks. Or, is there a better idea like close cell spray foam since the brick dont have a flat and level surface?
Can I use this technique on the ceiling of the crawlspace as well?
For that which is the Rim Joist. We use Rim Joist Foam Board made from the same Foam Board Insulation on the crawl space walls!
I live in Northern MN. Should I seal off my current vents if there is already two inch insulation on the walls?
I just bought a house last month and was down there insulating my pipes yesterday and noticed the foam board insulation has about a 1/2 inch gap between it and the poured concrete foundation. Is this still insulating it with the space between it? I believe it was put up with the fasteners and not glued.
Usually an air gap adds more value. For example if we install Insulbarrier, we can increase R value with a 3/4 inch air gap. I don't like air gaps against wood because it can trap moisture but an air gap on concrete is usually ok. Is there a local insulation contractor that can verify it is ok? Insulbarrier - diy.crawlspaceninja.com/insulation-vapor-barrier/
I 've been insulating my crawlspace, fiberglass between the joists, closing vents and insulating around them, vapor barrier on the ground. Spray foamed rim joists, but I'm reading what building science says that crawlspaces should also be conditioned. What exactly does this mean? Surely they aren't suggesting we heat and cool the crawlspace? What do you say?
Having a dehumidifier down there should be sufficient and satisfy most building code requirements. You can opt for conditioning your crawl space, but you will need to consult your HVAC company to make sure your system is properly sized to handle the extra load, and we don't particularly recommend doing that.
Thank You ......Your a true Master......
Great info, thank you so much
You are so welcome!
I live in central NC; can I put the foam board OVER the 20 mil that's already on the crawlspace walls?
We recommend you put the vapor barrier OVER the foam board, otherwise the foam board will not be suitable to insulate the walls through the vapor barrier seeing that foam board is R10 valued.
I believe most of nc is r-5, eps board at r10 looks to expensive thicker than 2” and hard to come by.
Should I use the ramset nailgun and a plastic disc to attach the panels to a poured-concrete crawlspace wall? Or should I use some sort of adhesive product? (Liquid nails? Or other glue-in-a-tube?)
I'd choose ramset or any masonry application (like Hilti DX5/GX3) over adhesive only if you can. Butyl tapes are great at sealing and assisting lone DIY Crawl Space Ninjas by holding up board or plastic but would most likely fail over time.
How deep should a fastener be in the concrete to hold the foam? Specifically tapcon. Also, what should the spacing be between fasteners? Thank you.
Make sure the screw penetrates at least 1 inch into the concrete. To determine the minimum length of screw required, add 1 inch to the thickness of the material you're attaching. In hard, dense materials like concrete or stone, this minimum 1 inch screw embedment will work fine.
hi Mike, your videos have been very informative thank you. I'm about to encapsulate my crawl space and could use some advice. I live in new Hampshire where it is extremely humid in the summer and quite snowy n cold in the winter. my crawl space( well I'm actually a renter) is stacked stone and very un even. I was wondering if you recommend froth Pak or any other 2part closed cell spray on the stone or just use the foam board against it?
Great question Neil. 2 component spray foam is great for uneven surfaces. So yes that's a great way to do it. I decided to answer your question on our blog. crawlspaceninja.com/crawl-space-repair/how-to-insulate-crawl-space-wall-stone-brick/
Here is one question, if I have crawl space and have my furnace/AC unit under the house. Can I return the heat and AC under the house? the return registers are just a hole in the floor near all the baseboards. That's the way it was done in Northern Pennsylvania. Only it was just heat. The system kept the floor warm because the cold return was warm enough and much higher than outside. I would like to do this in North Georgia. The idea is to cut down on moisture under the house it's a small home one bedroom, one bath and kitchen and living room. I would also like to foam the foundation with R 10 sheets and would like to line the floor with the R10 sheets as well after I put down plastic barrier. 73
i bought a house and i need my crawl space cleaned out do you know what service i would need for that.
Michigan
So how’s the cost compared to standard insulation between the joists? Is the insulation between the joists no longer needed when you insulate the side a of the foundation?
Insulation between the joists is no longer needed only if you have sealed the vents of the crawl space. The costs will vary by region but we find it much more cost effective when installing. Thanks for watching!
Some contractors recommend a 3 inch gap between the crawl floor and the base of the foam board in addition to the termite gap. Do you see a reason to do that?
Good morning James, we do not leave a 3 inch gap between the floor and the foam board. That being said our foam board is rated for floor contact, in your situation that might be a question that needs to be asked... hope this helps!
Can you leave this EPS foam board insulation exposed in a crawlspace?
As far as I know, you can unless local code says otherwise.
Great video - thanks
Ttf Web Thank you so much !
Can I put that foam board in between the floor joist? I have no sub flooring. I want to prevent the air from coming into the house from the floors.
You can but it could trap humidity and moisture similar if not worse than batt insulation. thanks for watching
I have a crawl space that I want to insulate, the floor is concrete , should I still use a vapor barrier over the concrete ?
There should have been a vapor barrier installed under the concrete. But yes you can put one over it.
I have a crawl space with a rat slab in place. There are no water issues. My current setup up has vents and a vented door into the space. I would like to insulate and encapsulate the space for better heat retention in the winter. The room above the crawl space is an office area and was part of an addition. Do I need to worry about termites if there is a rat slab? Also, I live in Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. How important is a dehumidifier for an encapsulated craw space with a rat slab?
Slab layers can crack as they settle, shift, and move with time and the weather. Termites could enter the home through a tiny crack. Furthermore, pipes and other utility openings are easy to have small openings around. Termites can gain access to these areas if they are not sealed off. You won't see this happen, though. Termites can easily remain undetected for a long time before causing significant damage. You should always use a dehumidifier in an encapsulated crawl space to get the most benefit out of your encapsulation.
if a vapor barrier is attaching to the top of the wall and the vapor barrier at the floor is it possible that the foam board be sandwiched between the wall and the vapor barrier, just held in place but not attached?
We strongly recommend attaching the foam board either mechanically or with Christmas tree fasteners.
So if i seal the vent and insualte the walls with the vapor barrier down i dont need to insulate the floor?
Correct
I have an unvented crawl space. Do I put clear plastic sheeting on the concrete walls and then place foam board on top of sheeting
vapor barrier goes above foam board.. hope this helps!
How far from the soil should the base of the board be? Flush?
Ideally, yes. But it can be a few inches above the soil as well if your floor is not even.
I would love to see how it is done with spray foam.
Check this out, you should find it helpful! ua-cam.com/video/ZzsgvkjRHfQ/v-deo.html
@@CrawlSpaceNinja That was exactly what I was asking thank you.
I'm in wilmington nc when I enclose it do I need air vent fans to suck air out
yes you do, always leave 1 vent open, year round and install the vent fan
I’m about to insulate the ceiling of a 4’ crawl space. Should I use foam board instead?
Or both?
It's not necessary to have both. We insulate the walls because we typically have to remove the floor insulation in order to address mold issues. If you are not controlling humidity, fiberglass insulation can hold excess moisture and eventually cause mold growth on the floor joists.
In the Pacific Northwest, should foam board be placed on top of seismically reinforced (with plywood) cripple wall or within the stud bays?
We would recommend following code.
do I still put the 6mil ply on the ground floor
I feel, You should always use a vapor barrier and 6-mil is normally the thinnest allowable by codes.
Do you use any adhesive behind the foam board and do you have plastic behind the foam board as well?
We mechanically attach the foam board to block wall using a Hilti nail gun.
Is there a foam board that you recommend that is readily available at local Lowe's or Home Depot's?
Just make sure it is ground contact rated. Normally they carry an R10 that is used in crawl spaces but you may have to ask which one because the look the same.
Is it ok to have the foam board touching the crawlspace dirt/floor? Or should you have a inch or two buffer?
Is there an easier way to attach the foam to concrete walls?
This is the easiest way we have found
How do you get larger pieces of foam board into small crawl space doors? Can you score and fold full pieces leaving the outer film layer intact, or is it a matter of just cutting to the width that fits thru the door and taping each piece
The foam board we use does not have a film on it, so we just cut it to be able to get it through the door and install it as usual.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja Thank you!
Will you get moisture between block wall and foam
Yes but that is why there is a dehumidifier, and if you have a water management system it would take care of it.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja thank you so much I love your program very much but do not want to make a mistake and have a problem l know you are the best on this program l will do my best
Can anyone tell me when it is ok to install foam board or any other type of insulation on the walls of a crawl space?
When it is not vented.
What R-value do you need? It looks like you have a single layer of boards. Is it beneficial to double the boards? (I live in NC.) Are the boards in contact with the ground? Or slightly off the ground? Thank you for your knowledge, you are helping others with your efforts!
Hi, Do i need to paint with sealant before installing foam boards? Thanks
As a company we do not use sealant, normally we pair the foam board with the vapor barrier and a water management system to prevent any water intrusion.
@@CrawlSpaceNinja Thanks so much
@@CrawlSpaceNinja looking around and am not finding this scenario. When Encapsulating and insulating with foam boards. Would you go up the walls with vapor barrier then come back with foam or vise versa?
@@xxxallenbigalexxx You can do either, but we recommend installing the foam board and then the vapor barrier so that the vapor barrier is punctured less.
How bout the ceiling
Many use fiberglass or rockwool
I would like to know what is the brand of form board used to do this?
www.achfoam.com/home.aspx
We can sell it but need to buy large quantity (36+ pieces) or shipping is ridiculous. $35 a board + shipping.
I have all vents closed off with foam board however I have one with an exhaust fan...can I still install foam board on the wallls?
Yes, if you choose to insulate the walls with foam board, check with your local codes enforcement to see what the requirements are for termite gaps in your area. In Tennessee, we are required to leave at least a 3" gap.
Great video can I opt to use spray foam on the wall as an insulation or do you recommend the foam board
Spray foaming the walls is a good option if you have a stone foundation that cannot have foam board attached.
I've watched AND enjoyed a number of your videos, but I have to say this is probably the least helpful video that I have seen of yours. Where is the part where you actually show how the boards are affixed to the wall? You talk about it, but don't show it. By the way, I don't have $1000 to spend on a Hilti gun.
Hi David, I'm sorry you did not find this video helpful. We have a video showing how to install foam board here: ua-cam.com/video/j0PQCi8sMgc/v-deo.html. We also have a lease program available for those who do not want to or cannot purchase a Hilti gun: diy.crawlspaceninja.com/hilti-dx5-lease/. Thanks for your support and feedback.