Insulation Photo Album: Lower Energy Bills by Encapsulating - Sweet Home, OR

This homeowner was looking for a solution to help with the insulation in their home and lower their energy bills. In the past, all their fiberglass insulation in the crawl space had to be removed due to moisture damage. As a result, it was causing a decrease in energy efficiency and cold floors. They decided they were ready for a change and reached out to John's Waterproofing. We informed them that by encapsulating the crawl space it would solve their problems and additionally help with the previous moisture damage. When we first went into their crawl space, it was discovered they didn't have a vapor barrier. This was causing excess water to be able to seep into their crawl space without any protection and evaporate into the air, which is what caused the fiberglass insulation to get moisture damaged and fall. The first step in the encapsulation process is installing a drainage system so that water can be pushed out. We installed a perforated pipe along the interior perimeter of the crawl space to collect water and send it to a sump pump. The SuperSump Plus sump pump is what takes all that collected water and can securely push it out and away from the homes foundation. We then installed SmartJacks as needed since the home had some spots that were sagging in their foundation. After the drainage system is completed, then we install a thick insulation foam. TerraBlock is a 3/4 inch thick foam that goes along the base of the crawl space. It seals the space off from the earth which is what helps to improve energy efficiency in the home. This allows for the heating/cooling systems to not have to work as hard to keep up with the changing climate because the temperature beneath the home is more regulated. On top of the TerraBlock, we installed a new CleanSpace vapor barrier. This thick liner is made with woven fibers that help to prevent water from seeping through. It is placed on top of the TerraBlock, up the foundation walls, and between the footing and wooden posts to isolate and protect. Spray Foam is applied to the foundation walls as a final air sealant and insulator. The last step is installing the SaniDry dehumidifier to help filter the air by pulling out moisture and improve the air quality in the home. Once this encapsulation process is completed, the homeowner gets to enjoy all the benefits of a healthy crawl space, including better energy efficiency.