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Message
SC Flood area__Insulation from underneath home
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:15 pm
I live in Charleston SC and have a raised house (due to flood regulations) the laws are similar to coastal areas. I have a unfinished basement and the house is lifted with stilts. The perimeter has 2x6 walls. Also, the perimeter has been closed in with plywood for privacy. What is the best way to insulate my house from underneath (i have the fiberglass insulation with the paper up. Cold air still comes in from the floors.
I also have a man cave underneath and don't want to see the insulation...Suggestions?
I also have a man cave underneath and don't want to see the insulation...Suggestions?
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:26 pm to wickowick
Yep. Closed cell is the answer here.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:29 pm to man in the stadium
Sure...in the words of Steve Harvy...and Family Feud...
Good answer...Good answer
Good answer...Good answer
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:34 pm to Goyo007
yeah a product like a tyvek would be ideal, but anything else will cause mold and you will die from it. You have a shitty built house prob in mt pleasant
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:36 pm to TigerDeBaiter
quote:
Yep. Closed cell is the answer here.
No it isn't. There are more issues with mold and rot with closed cell foam. Always use open cell so that moisture can wick away and not cause issues. Closed cell foam has thousands of lawsuits over it.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:41 pm to Cracker
quote:
You have a shitty built house prob in mt pleasant
Sold that one for the one on JI! Maybe you have some suggestions?
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:42 pm to stout
Stout...you deal with houses everyday...Suggestions?
Lesi.
Lesi.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:43 pm to Goyo007
not really moisture is a huge problem other than a draft, what every wick says so I would do. I have seen a shite ton of shitty workmanship in Mt pleasant I am going to be doing some work down on king st the first week of May. Ill let you know you can take me out drinking.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 9:47 pm to Goyo007
Spray foam is the only thing that will give you a solid barrier but do not use closed cell and be prepared to pay for it.
I have seen people put just a few inches of foam to seal up the draft then fill the rest with batting. That will save you a lot instead of trying to fill in the full area and the R value will be better than whatever you have now.
You could even order a DIY kit from ebay and take care of all the areas you feel are causing issues then add batting over it.
LINK
I have seen people put just a few inches of foam to seal up the draft then fill the rest with batting. That will save you a lot instead of trying to fill in the full area and the R value will be better than whatever you have now.
You could even order a DIY kit from ebay and take care of all the areas you feel are causing issues then add batting over it.
LINK
Posted on 2/24/15 at 10:09 pm to stout
Why is closed cell so bad again? I'm raised 4ft, now u have me worried...initially I didn't have insulation and my wood floors warped due to humidity, towards Xmas 2010 we sealed the sub floor close cell.
What issues should I look for?
What issues should I look for?
Posted on 2/24/15 at 10:17 pm to LawLessTyGer
Closed cell has been known to trap moisture and not allow it to wick away or dry up which can cause rot and mold.
Closed cell does offer a better R value but you can google about the lawsuits people have over it due to it causing rot and issues.
Think of it like this, if you have a leak in a roof, and have closed cell underneath it, where is that water going to go?
ETA: There is some speculation that open cell foam can cause moisture issues too because it is permeable and can allow humidity from inside an attic to stay against roof sheathing but if that were true then every attic with cellulose and batting would have issues as well.
I think both have a lot to do with how well it is installed and how well the house is vented but just thinking logically about leaks, it makes sense that open cell will allow water and moisture to dry.
LINK
Closed cell does offer a better R value but you can google about the lawsuits people have over it due to it causing rot and issues.
Think of it like this, if you have a leak in a roof, and have closed cell underneath it, where is that water going to go?
ETA: There is some speculation that open cell foam can cause moisture issues too because it is permeable and can allow humidity from inside an attic to stay against roof sheathing but if that were true then every attic with cellulose and batting would have issues as well.
I think both have a lot to do with how well it is installed and how well the house is vented but just thinking logically about leaks, it makes sense that open cell will allow water and moisture to dry.
quote:
So which foam is best?
The best foam to use should be determined by the application. Some spray foam contractors recommend closed cell foam in some applications since their open cell foam tends to absorb moisture. All foams are not created equal. In some applications, open cell foam with a vapor retarding paint is the best application.
Closed cell foam should never be used on wooden roof decks. Moisture will be trapped in the roof's wood decking if you were to apply closed cell foam to the underside of the roof of a home and the roof develops a leak. This can lead to rotting of the roof deck before the roof leak is ever discovered. Open cell foam is not a vapor barrier, so it allows the water from the roof leak to weep through the foam to the space below so it is the better choice for most residential applications.
In most applications, the buildings energy performance will be the same regardless whether you used open or closed cell foam. Open cell foam is more flexible than closed cell foam. When the framing members expand and contract with the weather, or are impacted by high winds, open cell foam will flex with the structure. Closed cell foam however, will not flex, a will get hairline cracks where it was connected to the studs and walls and lose some of its benefits.
Open cell foam is usually more suitable for residential applications because of its moisture permeability, or the ability for moisture to pass through the insulation. (See above) Most homes are constructed out of wood, and it is this reason, moisture permeability, that is the main reason why open cell foam is best suited for your home.
Closed cell foam is best used in refrigeration, marine, industrial, and roofing or, when we are trying to solve a moisture problem and the problem can't be solved with a vapor retardant paint. Closed cell foam is commonly found outdoors.
LINK
This post was edited on 2/24/15 at 10:26 pm
Posted on 2/24/15 at 10:25 pm to stout
Thanks, you have me feeling I should change it to open cell underneath the bathrooms and kitchen sink as a precaution. We had a leak in the kitchen and I've noticed some of the boards are sort of warped.
From what your saying I think it would be in my best interest to address this immediately ...
From what your saying I think it would be in my best interest to address this immediately ...
Posted on 2/24/15 at 10:29 pm to LawLessTyGer
I think you will be OK if it's on the underside but I would keep an eye on it. Maybe remove those boards and just make sure everything is dry under them. If you do switch do like the link I added says and add a thick coat of vapor retarding paint first.
Posted on 2/24/15 at 10:34 pm to stout
Thanks, appreciate the advice.. Definitely going to delve into the potential problem area. I have soft pine floors, not manufactured wood, hope this doesn't make it any worse
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