Reducing Moisture in a Home in Auburn, MA
Challenge
This homeowner in Auburn, MA called us out to take a look at why they were having an issue with moisture in their home. We conducted our full Home Energy Evaluation to get down to the root of their moisture issue. We noticed that they had a nasty, dirt floor crawlspace. Millions of homes were built with a vented dirt crawlspace. Now building scientists agree that it was a big mistake. That's because in the winter, vents let cold air directly into the home. Floor insulation above the crawlspace sags and also lets cold air in. In the summer, the hot humid air was leaking into the crawlspace meeting with the ground creating moisture throughout the home. This is caused by relative humidity is going way up and condensation forming all over the crawlspace. Eventually, mold can grow and can become dangerous! We knew we needed to help this customer become more comfortable in their home.
Solution
To fix this issue of the moisture in this home, we knew we had to take care of the dirt crawlspace. We make sure the ground is nice and level to prepare for the next step. We need to remove all of the old, fiberglass insulation. We properly bag up and dispose of the materials. Then, we seal the crawlspace vents and other places where air leaks occur. We use our spray foam to insulate the stone walls to stop any air from leaking in. This stops the harsh outside air from entering the house. Now, We can install our dimple drainage mat across the dirt floor to create an airspace. Next, we install our TerraBlock floor insulation. Finally, we use a heavy-duty crawlspace liner permanently across the floor and seal it. This will keep out moisture, harsh outdoor air, and can be used as a clean storage space. This homeowner will no longer have moisture problems, and their home is more comfortable and energy efficient thanks to Dr. Energy Saver by Eco Energy Solutions!
