Crawl space repair in AR

What To Look For When Insulating Your Arkansas Crawl Space

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:56:47 -0500

Trying to save money on utility bills in your Arkansas home as energy prices continue to soar? A great place to start is by properly sealing and insulating your crawl space. Vented crawl spaces are notoriously inefficient spaces, costing homeowners millions in collective energy bills each year. Two key things to look for when choosing crawl space insulation are the R-value and its resistance to water.

The R-Value is the measurement of resistance to heat transfer in a material. The higher the R-value, the greater the effectiveness of the insulation. The average recommended R-value for a basement or crawlspace in North American is R-12.

When looking for insulation, you want it to be as waterproof as possible (crawl spaces tend to be moist, humid places). You want to steer clear of types of insulation can retain water, support mold growth, and lose R-value due to the moisture. The best crawl space insulation provides a vapor barrier as it insulates and will not be damaged by humidity

Types of Crawl Space Insulation: Pros and Cons

Fiberglass Batt Insulation – This insulation is created from very fine fibers of glass and is typically pink or yellow. This form of insulation is the oldest, most common, most inexpensive and most readily available insulation on the market. Unfortunately this insulation is ruined by exposure to moisture and humidity, which makes it very poor for installation in a crawl space. When it gets moist due to the humidity found in most crawl spaces, it can support mold and mildew growth. This further decreases its already low R-value.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation – This insulation forms an expanding foam when sprayed and creates a vapor barrier as it is applied. This type of insulation has a high R-value, and is very good for filling gaps. It will protect your crawl space against water as it seals gaps and stops air leakage. However, this insulation is very expensive and is often messy and uneven when applied. Closed-cell spray foam is available in two forms: one-part and two-part. The one-part comes in pressurized cans that can be found at most hardware stores and home centers. The two-part is often used by insulation contractors and combines two compounds at an application nozzle.

Open-Cell Spray Foam Insulation – This insulation forms an expanding foam as it is sprayed, similar to closed-cell spray foam. One physical difference between the two is that closed-cell spray foam is typically very dense and hard, while open-cell foam is soft. Open-cell foam insulation is expensive, has a low R-value, and like closed-cell spray foam insulation, is messy and uneven when applied. Open-cell spray foam should not be used in crawl spaces because it does not create a vapor barrier to protect your crawl space from water and moisture.

Rigid Foam Insulation – This insulation is installed using foam panels rather than spray, making it cleaner to apply. These panels are mounted on the walls of a crawl space and use a closed-cell insulation design. The panels have a high R-value rating, and create a vapor barrier that is waterproof. The best news for most homeowners is that these foam panels tend to be less expensive than typical spray foam insulation.

For quality crawl space insulation in Arkansas call the experts at Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas! Our crawl space moisture control company in Arkansas services Benton, North Little Rock, Little Rock, Jacksonville, Greenbrier, Maumelle, Sherwood, Alexander, Mabelvale, Bryant, Hensley, Perryville and other surrounding areas.

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas Uses New Insulation Technology

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:54:10 -0500

Conway, AR – Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas recently installed a new type of installation, called SilverGlo™, for the first time.

This insulation was recently patented by Basement Systems, Inc. It is made of tiny graphite particles that permeate its foam insulation to give it a silver gray shine. These tiny graphite particles reflect heat and lower the material’s conductivity for superior R-value per inch. R-value is the measure of thermal resistance that determines what provides the best insulation for homes. The higher the R-value the greater the insulating effectiveness.

SilverGlo™ not only resists heat conduction, it also acts as a radiant barrier. It reflects heat back into your crawl space so it keeps the cold out and the heat in for added energy savings. Unlike fiberglass batt insulation, rigid foam boards never lose insulating value by settling or compressing. Foam boards shed water instead of soaking it up like cellulose insulation. In addition, foam insulation will not support mold or provide a home for mice, insects and other pests.

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas specializes in crawl space insulation in Arkansas. Visit them online for any of your crawl space needs if you live in Benton, North Little Rock, Little Rock, Jacksonville and other surrounding areas.

Crawl Space Insulation Prepares Homes for Winter

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:02:53 -0500

Winter will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start winterizing homes to prepare. The best way to get your house ready for colder weather is with insulation. Crawl space insulation keeps the air in your crawl space dry and warm, which will help your entire house as air flows into the bottom of a house and travels up to the top.

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas is excited to announce one of its newest products: SilverGlo insulation. This crawl space insulation is exclusive to dealerships in the Basement Systems international contractor network of basement and crawl space professionals.

SilverGlo is a graphite-infused EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Foam Board with a radiant barrier on one side. The use of graphite in the foam increases the R-value by 24% over standard white EPS foam. A 2-inch board of SilverGlo is rated at R-11. This superior R-value will keep any crawl space warmer in the wintertime, as well as cooler in the summer. It will also lower humidity levels in a home.

"If you properly insulate your crawl space—in addition to air sealing and controlling moisture, you will save on energy costs and increase your home's comfort," writes the U.S. Department of Energy.

For crawl space insulation Little Rock Air Force Base, AR and surrounding areas, contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today!

Crawl Space Insulation Dos and Don'ts

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:31:26 -0500

If your Arkansas home sits on a vented crawl space foundation, you might be already familiar with the many problems it can bring: the chronic humidity, the mold, the odors, the buckling floors. The moisture loving pests it invites and the occasional house guests: stray cats, skunks, all sorts of rodents and the snakes that feed on them.

But of all the problems, the one that is probably the hardest to deal with is the fact that your crawl space is becoming quite a burden on your budget.

You might be quite weary of the cold drafts coming from it during the frigid New England winter, causing your house to never feel warm enough, even when you have your thermostat set to a hellish temperature. You are paying for enough fuel to heat up a palace and you still need a sweater indoors.

Even in the cold Connecticut winter, you know that you are not supposed to feel that uncomfortable indoors! So you decide to do something about it., and your first thought is crawl space insulation. By insulating the crawl space, you hope to curb some of that heat loss and make your home more comfortable. And you are right! Insulating your crawl space is probably one of the best investments you can make in terms of energy efficiency!

According to Advanced Energy, energy losses through a crawl space are so substantial, that you might as well forfeit any other energy efficient upgrades, until you get that problem fixed.

However, the success of your crawl space insulation problem will greatly depend on the approach you use and the choice of materials. You might be surprised to learn that some of the most common approaches aren't only inefficient, but can actually be disastrous in the crawl space.

In this article you will learn about common crawl space insulation mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

Don't:
Don't try to control temperature without controlling moisture

Thermal control in a crawl space goes along with moisture control. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when it comes to crawl spaces, you can't expect to efficiently control one without dealing with the other. Humid air is harder to heat and cool, and the air from the crawl space will always be sucked up to the upper floors.

Do:
Control moisture and temperature at the same time.

As you plan to insulate the crawl space, consider sealing it as well. That means closing and sealing all the vents, and lining the floor and the walls with a vapor barrier. The idea is to completely isolate the crawl space from the ground and the outside air; the two main sources of moisture in the crawl space. You will then need to condition the space using a crawl space conditioning system, or a good dehumidifier.

Consider installing a full CleanSpace Crawl Space Encapsulation System, or for additional savings, consider a HeatBlock Crawl Space Radiant Barrier System.

The HeatBlock, offers moisture control and reflects the heat back into the house helping you save energy!

Don't:
Don't use fiberglass between the floor joists, unless your crawl space is sealed and conditioned or dehumidified.

Although this is a very common practice, fiberglass is the worst choice to insulate a crawl space, and in a vented, unconditioned craw space can prove to be disastrous.

Fiberglass soaks moisture, and as it does it loses R-Value. It becomes virtually useless as insulation in a vented crawl space. It also sags with the weight of the water, and as it does, it opens holes in the insulation blanket. Pests and all sorts of critters love to nest on fiberglass, But the worst thing about it is that, because batches are usually held together with an urea based adhesive, when combined with moisture it creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. Mold loves fiberglass so much that in the waterproofing and mold remediation industry they call it "mold candy".

Do:
Use rigid foam board or TerraBlock insulation boards.

TerraBlock is a unique, durable crawl space insulation and liner in one. TerraBlock provides energy-savings and moisture protection at the same time!

It's the first insulation product created specifically for rough, uneven crawl space floors, which can be as cold as 55°F. Made for floors and walls alike, this provides a puncture-resistant, padded solution for your crawl space.

The TerraBlock, which can be combined with our CleanSpace Encapsulation System, or our Heat Block Radiant Barrier, is the ultimate crawl space insulation system! It's superb energy efficient performance, will give you the most energy savings for every dollar spent!

Stop wasting money through your crawl space vents. Contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today for a Free Crawl Space Insulation Estimate! You will be glad you did!

The Best Solution for Moisture in Your Crawl Space

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:56:15 -0500

It's quite common for homeowners to have questions concerning the effects that mold and mildew can have on their home and health. In fact, there tends to be one common question amongst these homeowners, "Is it possible for mold to grow in the crawl space under my home?"

Can Mold Grow in Your Crawl Space?

Most crawl spaces tend to be dark, damp and wet and/or moist, making the crawl space beneath your home the perfect location for mold and mildew to grow at a rapid speed. Mold only needs moisture and inorganic material in order to grow, and these very conditions can be found in the crawl space.

Although it's quite a task to try to control the moisture in the crawl space beneath your home, it becomes a necessity when even the slightest sign of moisture can create a high likelihood of mold growth.

Controlling the Moisture

The key to preventing a moldy crawl space is finding and controlling the source of all moisture problems. Unfortunately, some homeowners attempt these not-so helpful methods.

First, homeowners will try ventilating the crawl space, a method that often leads to opening windows. In doing so, the unconditioned air from the outside adds humidity and moisture into the crawl space. In this method, identifying and eliminating the source is never truly accomplished.

Others suggest covering the entire crawl space with gravel or another porous material. However, these procedures tend to attract more moisture, causing additional problems. Others choose to use a dehumidifier to draw water out of the crawl space and replace it with clean, dry air.

Using a dehumidifier is a step in the right direction and can become even more beneficial working alongside a vapor barrier.

How Crawl Space Air Affects Your Home

Since warm air rises, there's a great chance that the air in the crawl space beneath your home will rise into the upper levels of your home. This means that the crawl space air, which can contain spores and other dangerous toxins, could contaminate the air you're breathing. These toxins can be bad for your health and for your home's condition. In fact, it's been estimated that half of the air being breathed on the first level of a home actually comes from the crawl space.

If your crawl space's moldy air travels upstairs, you could be exposed to some serious health effects. Mold has a greater effect on children and those suffering from asthma, with the most common effect being an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Some of the most common symptoms of mold exposure come in the form of common allergic reactions and various other irritations. Although the symptoms will vary from person to person, these are the most common symptoms seen in children and adults that are exposed to mold:

Nasal congestion
Sinus pressure
Eye irritation; red, itchy, watery eyes
Respiratory problems
Difficulty breathing
Throat irritation
Frequent headaches
Dry Cough
Skin irritation; itchy, dry skin, resulting in a rash on the skin

The Vapor Barrier Solution

A vapor barrier is simply a waterproof lining. By covering the soil or concrete on the surface of the crawl space, it prevents stale air from entering the crawl space and seeping into your living space. Installing a vapor barrier will also prevent that musty odor from entering your home because where there's mold there's must!

If you have questions or concerns about your crawl space, it's best to contact a professional mold removal contractor who can inspect your crawl space, evaluate the situation and give you his professional opinion. He'll try his best to meet your individual needs and to help protect you, your family and your home.

Contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today for a free estimate to eliminate the mold in a crawl space in Arkansas!

Repair Crawl Spaces in Arkansas Before Spring Weather Hits

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:49:13 -0500

Conway, AR – Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas wants this spring to be hassle free for homeowners and their crawl spaces, especially since crawl spaces become huge nuisances once the humidity rises, mold begins to grow and homes begin smelling of must. These local experts are recommending that homeowners have their crawlspaces repaired now before emergency repairs are needed.

Arkansas is no stranger to rain, high humidity, and heat waves once the summer hits. These conditions can easily destroy a home’s crawl space if it is in need of repairs. But, the hassle can all be avoided by contacting Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas.

These experts are recommending that homeowners venture into their crawl space to observe its conditions before the heat and heavy rains arrive. This will prevent further damage and provide homeowners peace of mind in knowing their crawl space is up to par.

The air in a crawl space has a huge influence on the air in the upper levels of a home. In fact almost half of the air being breathed on the first floor was at one time found in the crawl space, said the experts at Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas. A repaired crawl space can also decrease energy bills and reduce any musty smells and allergens.

Contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today for a free estimate for crawl space repair in Arkansas.

The Ventilated Crawl Space Meets the Vapor Barrier

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 01:24:49 -0500

Moisture control is one of the main reasons to ventilate the crawl space beneath your home. In fact, many building codes require vents in crawl spaces. Since crawl spaces naturally absorb moisture from the ground, your home will naturally begin to soak in this moisture. This absorption can in some cases create a toxic mold environment. In other cases, it’s also possible that the moisture can rot your home’s wood foundation.

So what’s the best way to eliminate such moisture and residual effects? Some experts say the ventilation method just might not meet the standard.

The Vapor Barrier

Using a vapor barrier is a technique many contractors suggest to homeowners for stopping the circulation of moisture from one area to another. This seals the windows and prevents air from entering or exiting, thus limiting that source of moisture and humidity. This isn’t the only way to reduce the moisture in a crawl space. Moisture can also rise through the soil beneath the ground. A dehumidifier and sump pump system are always other options for homeowners trying to maintain a dry crawl space.

However, only when the area is sufficiently dry should the barrier be installed. This means all standing water should be removed. But that’s not all, where there’s moisture there’s mold and all mold issues must also be eliminated.

Understanding Your Crawl Space’s Moisture Levels

There are a few steps to take before a vapor barrier can be installed. Beginning with the crawl space, check the relative humidity of your home. Crawl space humidity should always be between 30% and 40%, but since humidity increases the closer you climb to the top levels of your home, it’s acceptable for the upper floors to reach a humidity of 60%.

The moisture balance in your home starts at the very lowest level, which means a moderately damp foundation is quite often as serious as a leaking pipe. In fact, there are four moisture balancing factors within any home: source strength, temperature, moisture transfer rate, and the circulation ventilation rate. An issue with any one of these is likely to give you a moisture problem. Here are a couple of questions to consider:

Is your home built on flat land? Moisture problems can even stem from something as simple as a level piece of land that naturally doesn’t drain well.

What is the temperature differential where you live? Changes in climate initiate condensation. It is always wise to consider any roof leaks or downspout or gutter problems that will contribute to the moisture in a crawl space.

Ventilation VS Exterior Drainage System

Ventilating a crawl space has long been the way builders have controlled moisture at foundation levels. A contractor would simply install a couple of windows thinking the crawl space would intake the good air and expel the unwanted air. However, many professionals now believe in using an exterior drainage technique, particularly in areas with greater temperature differentials.

A ventilated crawl space in the winter is hard to keep warm. In summer months, the warm and humid air coming through a ventilated space can increase the moisture problem. Consider exhaust fans and a dehumidifier to control the problem, instead of ventilation.

Change the dehumidifier’s filters on a regular basis. Check for leaks in all of your home’s ducts, vents, windows and doors. Any problems with these can cause pressure and moisture imbalances throughout the home. Is the soil at your home’s foundation improperly graded? The gradient, or slope, ought to be away from the foundation at the minimum of 5%.

Other Options for Moisture Control

There are plenty of ways to prevent moisture problems that begin in your crawl space. Keep the gutters clean. You should be particularly industrial at times of the year when leaves, acorns and snow are likely to clog the gutters. Be sure that downspouts empty eight to ten feet away from the foundation—otherwise, the runoff can seep into your basement.

As homes become more energy efficient, there is an emphasis on prevention measures such as exterior drainage techniques that will control unwanted moisture. In most areas of the United States, fresh air and the temperature differentials will accelerate the moisture problem, rather than lessen it. Many builders today recommend closing the crawl space vents after construction, and the space has dried out.

Controlling moisture in the crawl space is a process that will require patience and know-how, through all seasons.

Contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas today for more information on ways to repair your damp crawl space in Arkansas. They’re experts at reducing humidity, mold, and other symptoms of an unhealthy space.

Crawl Space Repair Expert in Arkansas Becomes Accredited By Better Business Bureau

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:21:50 -0400

Conway, AR - Crawl Space Solutions, a local up and coming crawl space specialist, has become a Better Business Bureau accredited business providing this rising company with the professional support helpful to advancing even closer to the top of the industry.

The BBB accreditation is granted only to companies that have been servicing in a BBB location for at least the past 12 months. Upon any company's induction into this network, they receive an A- rating but any improvement or decline in said rating is solely dependent upon the future decisions and actions taken by the company.

This commitment to the BBB standards means the business agrees to these eight business standards to build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy, and embody integrity.

An accredited business must also commit to the prompt resolution of any and all complaints along with paying a review/monitoring fee that also supports BBB services to the public.

Crawl Space Solutions in Arkansas considers it a great privilege to become a BBB accredited business and fully accept the requirements. For the past two years this company has excelled at its craft and gained the professional approval of an internationally renowned network called Basement Systems, Inc. as well as the recent approval by the Better Business Bureau. For crawl space repair in Arkansas contact them today! They service the entire state of Arkansas.

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas Receives Bid to CleanSpace Arkansas Health Services Building

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:52 -0400

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas has recently received the bid to install CleanSpace in one of the Arkansas Health Services Buildings in Benton, Arkansas. This building is scheduled for environmental renovation, including asbestos removal and the installation of CleanSpace in the massive crawl space.

CleanSpace and SmartSumps were specifically required for this renovation by the architect and are only available through a CleanSpace Dealer from the Basement Systems Network. Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas is such a dealer and was specifically chosen by Controlled Environmental Solutions Inc. for their expertise and experience in Closed Crawl Space Systems, or Crawl Space Encapsulation Systems, as they are sometimes called.

Although this job is a large industrial project, this same system is installed in many homes in Arkansas with moisture problems. The system consists of four basic elements, including a commercial grade vapor retarder with a 25 year warranty, a leading edge sump pump system with patented safety features, an energy star rated dehumidification system, and several components to completely seal the crawl space from the outside air, including crawl space doors, vent covers, and other air sealing features.

If you have a damp, smelly crawl space, Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas can provide you with a free written crawl space estimate!

Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas Targets Mold

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:48:50 -0500

It is estimated that as many as 50% of all homes are affected in varying degrees by mold. By far, the homes that are the most negatively affected have two things in common; they are in humid climates and have dirt floor crawl spaces, two things most homeowners experience in Arkansas.

Crawlspace Solutions of Arkansas has now teamed up with Basement Systems to offer homeowners a solution for their Crawlspace. As an authorized dealer they are now part of a network of over 250 of the best Crawlspace experts in the world with access to many patented crawlspace moisture control products. All of the Basement Systems dealers are educated on the many problems that a Crawlspace can have ensuring the homeowner that the best solution will be provided. Homeowners who have the Cleanspace System installed by Crawlspace solutions will have peace of mind knowing that their home will be a healthier place for their family.

Currently, there are two schools of thought to alleviate mold from your crawl space and subsequently your home. Mold remediation, and crawl space encapsulation. A remediation company will remove mold through a series of steps, including cleaning, air filtration and decontamination. Removing the mold does not effectively keep mold from returning because the two things that mold needs, organic material and water vapor, are still present.

To permanently address the conditions causing the mold growth encapsulation is the solution. Encapsulation is a four step process. First, solve or fix the ground water seepage into the crawlspace. Second, isolate the house from the earth with a 20 mil thick anti-microbial vapor barrier with a 25 year warranty. Third, Seal all the outside unconditioned air form getting into the crawlspace. This can be done by using vent covers and sealing all air leaks that are present. Finally, condition or de-humidify the crawl space to reduce the humidity level. Taking these four steps is the best solution a homeowner can take to fix their Crawlspace!

Larry Janesky, Inventor, Author, and President of Basement Systems says' our dirt floor crawl spaces are the perfect environment to promote mold growth in our homes'. The natural air flow in a home is from bottom to top, so if we have mold in our crawl space, we have it in our living space as well. Many people don't realize that if they have allergies to mold, dirt floor crawl spaces are most likely part of, if not all of the problem when they are at home.

How does a homeowner know if they have a crawlspace problem? They can call Crawlspace Solutions of Arkansas. They will come and inspect the crawlspace, check to see if there is water, and measure the relative humidity at no cost to the homeowner. They will then educate the homeowner and provide the homeowner a free, no obligation solution of the repair. For Information regarding this article, please contact Crawl Space Solutions of Arkansas at 501-499-4374 or www.arkansascrawlspace.com.