A homeowner in Florence, Oregon contacted Josh Lowe’s Dr. Energy Saver after dealing with a persistent, unpleasant odor throughout her home. Living in a double-wide manufactured home and working remotely, she was exposed to the smell all day, making it difficult to stay comfortable and focused.
Beyond being frustrating, the odor was beginning to impact her ability to comfortably live and work in her space. She suspected something might be wrong beneath the home but wasn’t sure just how serious the issue had become.
Rodent infestations can quickly destroy crawl space insulation and contaminate the area with strong odors. After a full inspection, it became clear that this Florence homeowner needed a complete crawl space insulation removal followed by a spray foam insulation solution to eliminate the problem and restore comfort to the home.
What We Found During the Inspection
Once we inspected the crawl space area, the problem quickly became clear.
The belly plate underneath the home had been cut open, creating an easy access point for rodents. Once inside, they had nested throughout the insulation, contaminating it and causing strong odors to seep up into the living space.
During the inspection we found:
- Extensive rodent activity throughout the insulation
- Three dead rats already present in the belly cavity
- Heavy contamination and damaged insulation
When our crew began the cleanup process, they even encountered several live rodents that had been nesting inside the insulation. At this point, the insulation was beyond saving and needed to be completely removed.
The Solution: Full Removal & Spray Foam Protection
To fully solve the issue, we recommended a complete removal of the contaminated crawl space insulation followed by installing 2 inches of spray foam insulation on the underside of the home.
The homeowner chose to move forward with the full solution rather than a temporary or partial fix. The goal wasn’t just to remove the smell, it was to prevent the problem from happening again.
Our solution provided several benefits:
- Complete removal of rodent-contaminated insulation
- Sealing the underside of the home with 2” spray foam
- Reducing entry points for rodents
- Improving insulation performance
- Making the home warmer and more comfortable during winter
Spray foam creates a sealed and durable barrier that rodents have a much harder time accessing compared to traditional insulation.
Crawl Space Insulation Removal & Rodent Damage FAQs
Rodents are attracted to crawl space insulation because it provides warmth and nesting material. Once inside, they can contaminate insulation with droppings, urine, and nesting debris.
Yes. Rodents often tear apart insulation to build nests, which reduces its effectiveness and can cause strong odors inside the home.
Spray foam insulation helps seal the underside of a home, improving energy efficiency and making it harder for rodents to access insulation and ductwork.
If rodents have heavily contaminated the insulation with droppings, urine, or nesting materials, it is usually best to remove and replace it. Contaminated insulation can continue to produce odors and may pose health risks if left in place.
Common signs of rodents in a crawl space include scratching sounds under the floor, unpleasant odors, droppings, torn insulation, and visible entry points in the belly board or foundation. A professional crawl space inspection can confirm the extent of the infestation.
Our team provides crawl space inspections for homeowners in Florence, OR and surrounding communities. If you’re dealing with rodents, bad odors, or damaged insulation, we can help identify the problem and recommend the best solution!
