Crawl space insulation and Sump Pump install in Columbia, CT
Challenge
The Homeowner's Crawl Space Was in Bad Condition and Affected The Health of The Home With Moisture From The Dirt Beneath The Crawl Space.
When our building science specialist arrived to conduct a free evaluation of the homeowner's crawl space they noticed immediate issues. This crawl space had an old sump pump that was not working properly. This crawl space also dealt with major condensation problems. Exposed crawl spaces could lead to issues in the winter contributing to the cause of cold floors, drafts, higher fuel, higher eclectic bills, and an unhealthy, uncomfortable home. Most crawl spaces are built with dirt floors - and not much care to prevent the leaking groundwater. This home had a sump pump in the crawl space but it was rusted and rotted due to the excessive moisture. To have a healthy, energy-efficient crawl space, standing water needs to be pumped out of the space. The relative humidity that standing water in a crawl space can cause in the home is mold and rot flourishing right under your feet. As the air makes its way up through your home, it will carry moisture, mold spores, and odors to your living space. The rim joists to the crawl space were leaky and poorly insulated and were not air-sealed contributing to cold floors, and more condensation build-up in the crawl space.
Solution
Installing a Crawl Space Encapsulation System and Sump Pump Filtration System in The Homeowner's Crawlspace to Help Make This Home More Comfortable.
Fogarty’s Home Services crawl space encapsulation system helps to seal all vents and air leaks to the outside, often using our vent covers. Walls are insulated with SilverGlo insulation with a reflective radiant barrier face. SilverGlo foam has graphite infused into the foam to increase the R-value by 24% over standard foam. A dimpled plastic drainage matting is installed across the floor to create an airspace and thermal break, and TerraBlock floor insulation is installed over it. Finally, the heavy-duty 20mill thick crawlspace liner is installed permanently across the dirt floor - sealed with mechanical fasteners to the walls and spiked to the floor. The liner also features Ultrafresh anti-microbial ingredients in the product. The crawl space encapsulation systems help with providing much lower humidity, warmer floors upstairs, fewer drafts, a more comfortable house, lower fuel, and electric bills. The sump pump system we installed is designed just for crawl spaces. It features a heavy, shaded sump liner to fit in crawl spaces and accept the crawlspace liner, a ⅓ hp cast iron Zoeller pump with an automatic float switch, a stand for the pump, and an airtight lid that keeps moisture from evaporating out of the sump hole. There is also an alarm that sounds in the event of a pump failure or plumbing leak ( when installed with the Crawl space encapsulation system) as it drains the plumbing leak water away. A discharge line takes the water safely outside. The drain in the lid has a special check ball to let the air down but moisture and odors can’t come up. The sump pump in the crawl space prevents water depth accumulation in your crawl space. Sealing the rim joist is the final touch and sealing air leaks helps the home to become easier to heat and cool.
