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Insulation for Raised Houses
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:02 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:02 pm
I need to replace the batt insulation underneath my raised home. I am examining the options and not sure if I should just replace with batt like it is now or go to spray foam. I have heard of termite problems with spray foam. Wanted to get a few opinions. Thanks in advance.
8
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:14 pm to Benny The Jet
My pier and beam has the spray insulation and yes, it can hide termite damage
also just a general pain in the arse to fix anything, like plumbing or electrical that is under the house since when they did mine they just sprayed everything
it does insulate quite well though
also just a general pain in the arse to fix anything, like plumbing or electrical that is under the house since when they did mine they just sprayed everything
it does insulate quite well though
This post was edited on 2/18/21 at 4:14 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:20 pm to Benny The Jet
The problem I've found with using batt insulation under houses is if animals have access to get under the house. They will often tear up the insulation.
I've used it before and to protect it from animals, stapled chicken wire to the bottom of the joists to keep animals out.
If I had a raised home now, I'd just go with foam.
I've used it before and to protect it from animals, stapled chicken wire to the bottom of the joists to keep animals out.
If I had a raised home now, I'd just go with foam.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 8:48 pm to gumbo2176
LSU extension service has a great paper on this
LSU paper link
looks like they charge a dollar for it now, I downloaded a few years ago and learned a lot, the pdf is free
LSU paper link
looks like they charge a dollar for it now, I downloaded a few years ago and learned a lot, the pdf is free
This post was edited on 2/18/21 at 8:49 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 11:46 pm to Benny The Jet
In my experience any insulation under house creates more problems then it’s worth, hides leaks until wood is rotten, hard to get termite contract on it, etc..... if you decide to do it, make sure to use open called foam, leave a good foot or two open around any water/drain pipe penetrations(especially toilets), and treat underneath with Borate before spraying foam. Pier and beam homes are supposed to breath and to ensure it’s long term health the more air flow underneath the better
Posted on 2/19/21 at 6:31 am to Benny The Jet
My neighbors had bat insulation under their house. The termites got in it and ate their floor apart.
Posted on 2/19/21 at 7:29 am to Benny The Jet
I recently moved from a house with a crawlspace, within which was plumbing and ductwork. While we kept it pretty nice, it was impossible to keep completely dry. Insulation holds moisture and creates a better chance of issues, IMO.
If I stayed in the house, I was going to encapsulate, add one of those awesome Sedona dehumidifiers, and allow conditioned air into the crawl.
If I stayed in the house, I was going to encapsulate, add one of those awesome Sedona dehumidifiers, and allow conditioned air into the crawl.
Posted on 2/19/21 at 8:48 am to lgtiger
IIRC the LSU paper recommended not to insulate unless you completely encapsulate the crawlspace due to moisture issues. I know of people whose original wood floors in an old house buckled due to insulating subfloor in crawlspace. I agree with above posters that it's probably not worth doing it unless you fully encapsulate. Then I'd go with whatever is cheaper.
Posted on 2/19/21 at 1:46 pm to Benny The Jet
The place we have under contract has spray foam under the pier and beam. It was done in 2017 and the owners say it helped a bunch. No termite signs at inspection.
Posted on 2/19/21 at 7:43 pm to lsujro
Spray foam stopped our floors from buckling. It helped immensely.
Posted on 2/19/21 at 10:00 pm to Benny The Jet
I don’t have a raised home but I really like RoxWol
Posted on 2/20/21 at 8:03 am to gumbo2176
Yes. I used batt insulation under every sq ft of my house within a month of moving in. Even on the back side of the house where the ground is higher and the joists are only 6" off the ground. Animals tore most of it down within the first year.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 8:44 pm to Benny The Jet
Unfortunately, this is a pick your poison type thing, but batt insulation under a house is useless. Pull that shite out.
Then you’re left with an all or nothing choice. Nothing gets you real discomfort in a week like this past one, but the bigger issue in our climate is moisture intrusion in the warmer months. The warm, moist air under the house is seeking equilibrium and pushing up through your subfloor to meet that cool, conditioned air. That creates condensation issues that can potentially buckle your finished flooring and even rot the subfloor.
The LSU paper referenced is good info. The closed cell foam or polystyrene options have some great selling points, but— again— also some trade off. You can wipe your arse with a termite contract in my experience, so other than masking possible termite activity, forget that part of it.
I did closed cell under my house years ago and had a water line fail. It was a huge mess because the water has nowhere to go. That said, I put it in because I had crazy drafts in the house and buckling floors. So, once I replaced everything, I went with the foam again and I hope I don’t get a repeat. It’s a gamble. Good luck.
Then you’re left with an all or nothing choice. Nothing gets you real discomfort in a week like this past one, but the bigger issue in our climate is moisture intrusion in the warmer months. The warm, moist air under the house is seeking equilibrium and pushing up through your subfloor to meet that cool, conditioned air. That creates condensation issues that can potentially buckle your finished flooring and even rot the subfloor.
The LSU paper referenced is good info. The closed cell foam or polystyrene options have some great selling points, but— again— also some trade off. You can wipe your arse with a termite contract in my experience, so other than masking possible termite activity, forget that part of it.
I did closed cell under my house years ago and had a water line fail. It was a huge mess because the water has nowhere to go. That said, I put it in because I had crazy drafts in the house and buckling floors. So, once I replaced everything, I went with the foam again and I hope I don’t get a repeat. It’s a gamble. Good luck.
Posted on 2/20/21 at 8:56 pm to lsujro
quote:
IIRC the LSU paper recommended not to insulate unless you completely encapsulate the crawlspace due to moisture issues.
Correct. This is exactly what they recommend. They also say if encapsulation is not affordable to go with no insulation, a dehumidifier, and not to run the AC too low. The insulation traps moisture on the subfloor.
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