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This homeowner in Somers, CT called us hoping to talk about the results of his energy audit. The audit had mentioned that he needed comprehensive insulation in his home. His attic, basement, and crawl space all had issues. He wanted it insulated properly before he got his basement finished.
We were able to help this customer! One of the solutions we utilized was our CleanSpace™ crawl space encapsulation system. We first insulated the walls using our SilverGlo™ foam insulation. For the floor, we added a dimpled drainage mat to create a thermal break. We then installed TerraBlock™ floor insulation on top of that. Then, we installed a CleanSpace™ crawl space encapsulation liner over that insulation. We fastened it into both the walls and floor to create a permanent solution for this crawl space. We then added two-part expanding spray foam to the rim joist to ensure that the crawl space was covered. Combined with our other solutions, this homeowner will experience less drafts, warmer floors, lower energy bills, and a much more comfortable home!
This homeowner in Palmer, MA called us regarding her basement ceiling insulation. She was the original owner of the home, which was built over 40 years ago. However, about 5 years ago, she began experiencing a musy odor in her basement. She also had a reoccurring mouse problem, with an exterminator coming out once a month. She wanted to have these issues addressed, and was thinking refreshed basement ceiling insulation may be the answer. When our Home Comfort Specialist came out to the home, he noted multiple issues. In addition to increased moisture in the basement, they had a crawl space that had moisture and musty odors. Additionally, he found that the homeowner was having an issue with their energy efficiency as well. She had fiberglass batts in her basement ceiling that were beginning to sag.
We had the perfect solution for this customer! We utilized two-part expanding spray foam. We insulated the rim joist (the perimeter of the floor framing system along the exterior of the home). We spray this foam in the rim joist and over the sill plate. Insulating the rim joist in this way seals all air leaks -- filling in the cracks and gaps that are present there. This prevents outside air from getting into the home. The homeowner is now very happy, and she is much more comfortable in her home!
The owners of a beautiful barn that came with their property contacted us to help make it usable and comfortable all year long. The outside air has access to the floors from underneath, so Fogarty's Home Services was happy to help protect that space and make the rooms above more comfortable. Since the floor is the surface of the room we are in contact with most, it's very important to fix, in order to be comfortable. There are two issues - air leakage through the floor, because heat moves from more to less through solid materials. Even if there is fiberglass batt insulation in the floor, because it sags down away from the sub floor, the same outside air gets over it ("thermal bypass") rendering it useless. Fogarty's Home Services installed SilverGlo™ foam insulation board is installed across the bottom of the floor joists with special long screws and 3" washers. SilverGlo™ is expanded polystyrene foam with graphite infused into the foam, which bumps up the insulation ("R") value by 24% over standard EPS foam. Further, SilverGlo™ has a radiant barrier to reflect heat, so the insulation isn't doing all the work by itself. All seams were then sealed. This family will now have the joy of using this barn year round as they now have much warmer floors, less drafts, more comfortable rooms, and lower fuel costs.
This homeowner contacted Fogarty's Home Services to come investigate why the temperature and moisture level in the home were so uncomfortable. We discovered that there was old, dirty batt insulation that had been exposed to the outside air due to leaks in the roof and attic areas. Air that the customer was paying to heat was leaking out of the attic and drawing cold outside air in causing drafts. Fogarty's Home Services removed and disposed of the old insulation.
The “rim joist” is the perimeter of the floor framing system along the exterior of the house. The joints and gaps between all the framing members allow for a lot of air leakage into the house. The rim joist is seldom insulated and never air sealed. Basement ceiling insulation, especially fiberglass batts, doesn’t stop the flow of cold air into your home. Cold floors, drafty, uncomfortable rooms, cold basement/lower level, higher heating and cooling bills and more condensation in the basement or crawl space in the summer are all results of a leaky or poorly insulated rim joist.
Fogarty's Home Services provides a solution that is a two part expanding spray foam that is installed on rim joist and over sill plate to seal all air leaks from the outside and insulate this important area of your home. Our spray foam has a high insulation value per inch of R7, and because it expands, it seals all cracks and gaps and joints where air from the outside enters your home. The results are warmer floors, less drafts, more comfortable rooms, your house is easier to heat and costs less to heat, less summertime condensation on cold basement surfaces.