Case Study: Cold Floors Led to a Crawl Space Transformation in Philomath, Oregon

The Challenge:

A homeowner reached out because she was experiencing cold floors throughout her home, especially during the winter. She had a stand-up crawl space and wanted to learn more about crawl space encapsulation. Rather than recommending a solution right away, we scheduled an in-home inspection to evaluate the space firsthand. Every home is different, so it’s important to understand the specific conditions before making any recommendations.

Our Inspection: 

Harry Thomas, one of our highly experienced and highly trained consultants, went out to inspect the homeowner’s crawl space. During his inspection, he found fiberglass insulation that was falling apart, and it appeared that a few little friends had made themselves at home there as well.

During the inspection, Harry evaluated several key areas, including:

  • Fiberglass insulation condition
  • Signs of rodents or other pests
  • Crawl space measurements
  • Evidence of wood rot
  • Moisture or water intrusion
  • Structural concerns
  • Any other issues that could impact the homeowner’s comfort, safety, or the health of the home

Our Recommendation:

Once Harry has identified all the issues, he takes an hour or two to review his findings with the homeowner. During this time, the homeowner can ask questions, discuss possible solutions, and work together with Harry to find an option that fits their budget while ensuring they receive the best possible work for their home. In this case, Harry recommended getting the previous insulation removed and adding closed celled spray foam instead to make their home more energy efficient. 

The Results:

With the new insulation in place, the homeowner can expect a more comfortable living environment, especially during the colder months when cold floors were previously a concern. The upgraded insulation will help improve the home’s overall energy efficiency, reducing heat loss through the crawl space and easing the workload on the heating system. In addition to increased comfort, the homeowner now has greater peace of mind knowing the deteriorated insulation has been removed and the crawl space is better protected against future moisture-related issues.