Month: March 2020

Why Your Home Needs Crawl Space Insulation

Crawl Space InsulationYou may not give much thought to insulating your crawl space. But high humidity in soil makes crawl spaces susceptible to moisture and deterioration. The humidity causes the crawl space to become damp and this environment can attract mold, dust and dirt, rodents and insects. This unhealthy environment in your crawl space directly affects your home and family. Since air flows from the ground upward, the moist air from your crawl space and all the contaminants flow up into your living space.

Benefits of insulating your crawl space:

  • Increased comfort – The temperature in your crawl space will be regulated so you will have less drafts and cold spots in the rooms above your crawl space.
  • Better air quality – The air you breathe will be cleaner because it will contain less pollutants.
  • Energy savings – With proper insulation in your crawl space, your HVAC system will be able to work less to regulate the air in your home.
  • Money savings – Because your heating and cooling system will be more efficient, your energy usage will be decreased, saving you money on your monthly bills.

Insulating and sealing your crawl space is important for the health of your home and family. Contact us to schedule your crawl space estimate.

How to protect pipes in a crawl space

Because your crawl space has air vents and is in contact with the ground, it is exposed to outside elements. This could cause pipes in your crawl space to freeze during even a brief cold spell. It is important to take precautionary steps to protect your crawl space before temperatures dive. If not, you could end up with burst pipes.

Some of the most common quick fixes are incorrect and simply do not work. These fixes include closing the air vents, letting your faucets trickle, or wrapping vents and pipes. There are many reasons why these fixes do not work:

  • Closing air vents can cause moisture buildup leading to possible mold and wood rot.
  • Leaving the faucet running during a hard freeze can cause water buildup in pipes causing them to crack, split or become completely blocked off.
  • Wrapping pipes and vents can be a bad idea. The condensation that comes with a humid climate can get trapped under the insulation and cause mold to grow.

The best solution is to insulate your crawl space to help maintain a consistent temperature in your crawl space. This reduces the likelihood of freezing pipes or condensation buildup and can help maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home.

Reach out to a professional insulation expert for a quote. Contact ABS Insulating and we can help!

How much do gutters cost?

Rain gutters are an important part of a home’s function as well as its beauty. Rain gutters help protect your home’s structure from costly water damage and can extend the life of your home. Rain gutters can also add beauty to your home. With many colors and styles available, rain gutters can add a finishing touch to your home’s exterior.

The cost of rain gutters can vary. Factors that influence the cost of rain gutters include the size, material, addition of leaf gutter protection and more. Gutters come in a variety of sizes, most common are 5” and 6” gutters. Adding leaf protection to a new gutter system can help prevent debris from accumulating in the gutters and can help them to function properly.

What is most important is to have rain gutters professionally installed. If gutters are not properly installed, water can leak behind exterior walls and pool around the foundation. Be sure your home is properly protected and hire a professional gutter company. The gutter pros at ABS Insulating provide free estimates and can help protect your home from costly water damage.