Spray Foam Insulation & Energy Audit Experts Serving Groton, CT

This homeowner in Groton, CT called us looking to get the insulation in her attic replaced. She had previously worked with us on her crawl space, but she had a problem with her attic not being air sealed and wanted to get that fixed at a later time. When that time came, she reached back out to us and was hoping that we would be able to take care of it for her. Of course, we came out to see how the attic was looking. Since attics are vented, we should think of them thermally as outside in the winter. In summer because of the suns radiant heat, they are much worse than outside, reaching 130˚ on summer days. Clearly, we need to keep an absolute boundary between our living space and the attic so inside air doesn’t move to the attic in the heating season (convection), and heat doesn’t pass up through our ceilings in winter (conduction), and down from our ceilings in the hot summer (conduction, radiation). To reduce overall air leakage, the attic is the first priority because warm air rises to the top of the house and finds any and all holes to leak out into the cold vented attic and is lost. Holes, gaps and joints include between drywall and framing at the top of walls, around pipes, wires, electric boxes, fixtures, duct, penetrations, ceiling grilles and joints in framing. And the only reason cold air leaks in from the outside at the lower levels of the house, is that warm air leaked out of the top and created a suction at the bottom. Attics are dramatically under insulated compared to today’s standards. Result - cold drafty rooms downstairs, colder floors, house is harder to heat and keep comfortable, higher fuel and electric bills.

We had the perfect solution for this customer. Adding insulation in an attic without sealing all air leaks first should never be done, because it is just burying air leaks and making them impossible to seal later - and insulation DOES NOT STOP air leaks. That’s why, in this solution, we first carefully air seal the many various points where air from the home leaks up into the attic and is lost. Our premium TruSoft™ cellulose insulation is blown to the optimum R-value (typically R60). TruSoft™ will not burn, get moldy, or attract pests. Blown insulation fills all gaps and odd shaped voids, and by filling over framing members, “thermal bridging” is avoided. Results - a warmer, more comfortable, less drafty house that the homeowner notice everywhere - even downstairs! House is quieter. Fuel and electric bills are lower.

This homeowner in Groton, CT called us hoping that we would be able to help her with her crawl space. After discussing her options, she decided on the CleanSpace™ encapsulation system. But, she had worry about what would happen if a pipe were to burst in her crawl space. To have a healthy energy efficient home that has a vented dirt crawl space it must be fixed properly with the CleanSpace™ Crawl Space Encapsulation System, most likely featuring drainage matting and SilverGlo™ wall insulation. This patented system makes a huge positive difference in the home. If there is a plumbing leak in a dirt crawl space the water just leaks into the dirt for months or years until someone notices by accident. By then mold has grown. However, with the CleanSpace™ liner the water from a plumbing leak can fill up the crawl space like a swimming pool.

Luckily, we had the perfect solution! The Smart Drain™ is a “soak-away” dry well with an airtight cover featuring an airtight floor drain - water can go down but air can’t come up. The special design sounds a loud alarm telling the homeowner there is a plumbing leak while draining the water under the CleanSpace™ into the Smart Drain™ until they can get the leak fixed. Result - The homeowner will know when there is a plumbing leak and have peace of mind knowing there is not surprises in their crawl space!

This homeowner in Groton, CT called us when she found out that her insulation was falling out of her crawl space ceiling. She also had sagging floors in parts of the home that were sagging into the crawl space. When our Home Comfort Specialist came out to the home, he noticed an extreme moisture problem that was causing both of these issues -- and was also causing a lot of mold. High relative humidity or high amounts of moisture in a crawl space will cause mold to grow on the surfaces of framing lumber, sub floors, insulation, and everywhere. Spores are the airborne seeds of mold, which are produced when the mold is growing and active. These spores float on airstreams up from the crawl space into the living space, and people with sensitivities can react to them. When we fix a crawl space properly, the crawl space will dry out enough so mold will not continue to grow. But what can be done to treat and eliminate the mold that’s already there?

Luckily, Fogarty's Home Services has the answer to that problem. For moldy surfaces, we utilize our Mold-X2 cleaner and Mold-X2 botanical treatment. Mold-X2 Cleaner effectively eliminates mold and mildew stains on contact. It is non-abrasive and non-flammable, and was sprayed on the effected areas. Once the Mold-X2 Cleaner was applied, the mold disappeared instantly, leaving wood surface looking nearly new. Mold-X2 Botanical, a plant-based disinfectant with a pleasant, temporary scent, was sprayed on the surfaces. Mold-X2 Botanical prevents mold from growing back. Now, the crawl space is ready for other solutions. Results – The mold is eliminated, with no odors or potential for wood rot. The crawl space is now ready for a permanent repair to keep humidity low.

This homeowner in Groton, CT called us out to their home to help them update the insulation in their home. We sent out our Building Science Specialist to conduct our Free Home Energy Evaluation. They discovered there was very old, inefficient insulation in their attic and crawlspace! They also discovered mold! Mold can be very dangerous. It is harmful to have in your home, especially for pets, young children, and older people.

Since attics are vented, we should think of them thermally as outside in the winter. In the summer, because of the suns radiant heat, attics reach a much higher temperature in their attic, higher than 130º ! Knowing this, we need to keep a boundary from the attic to our living space, so that air that you pay to heat and cool does not travel up into the attic, and get lost! To reduce overall air leakage, the attic is the main priority because warm air will rise to the top of the home and fine any and all air holes to leak out of. This resulted in overall drafty rooms, and high heating/cooling bills. 

We knew the right treatments to help this homeowner become efficient in their homes!

First, we attacked the attic. We spray our Mold-X Mold Killer in the attic on any and all areas, nooks, and crannies. This will get rid of the mold and make sure new mold spores do not start growing. Now we are able to air seal, and insulate!

We first seal up all top and end plates with foam to make sure there is no air able to escape, and so that the insulation is not trying to work all on its own. Insulation needs to be paired with proper air sealing, otherwise you are burring air leaks with just insulation! Next, we blow in our TruSoft Cellulose insulation. This fills in all cracks, gaps, and voids where air could escape through!

Now we can get to the crawlspace! We started off by clearing out this old insulation. We install our SilverGlo graphite infused foam board onto the walls to insulate the crawlspace to keep heat in during the winter. We then got to work on the dirt floor of the crawlspace. We laid down our dimpled drainage to create an airspace and thermal break. Then we put down our TerraBlock floor insulation, and finalize our sealing off the crawlspace with our vapor barrier liner to keep moisture from getting into the crawlspace and creating any mold issues. Finally, we seal off the rim joist, otherwise know as the perimeter of the floor framing of the house, to stop cold air from creeping in with spray foam insulation.

Thanks to Dr. Energy Saver by Eco Energy Solution, this home is now healthier, more comfortable, and energy efficient!

In the photo you can see the after of the attic treatment we did for them!