First, I'm looking to replace my crawl space doors. Currently I have the "old wood with latch" style doors. Both are not bad shape, they do need a coat of paint however. My concern is the bugs getting in because it was poorly built.

I've seen the vinyl doors in the past but I'm having a difficult time finding them online. IMO this is the way to go.

If not, please give me some suggestions.

Second question is my crawl space insulation is in terrible shape. Most of it had fallen due to moisture and time. It's 35 years old. My intensions were to replace it myself untill a buddy of mine got me thinking... He removed his some 10 years ago because of the same problem and never replaced it. He doesn't feel there is a true need for it.

The other problem i have is crickets! They are attracted to the dark moist air under there and are hiding under the fallen insulation. So i'd like to remove this fall. Normally the crickets leave after the first frost each year and arrive again in mid Augest. They manage to find their way in the house thru cracks and such.

I've lived here for nearly 4 years and 75 % of the insulation is on the ground and I havn't needed it yet. Yes the floor gets a little cold. I tell the wife to throw on socks I live in South Jersey and the weather is fairly mild, there is never extreme cold, or heat. I'm not worried about pipes freezing, because one, they havn't yet and there is always somone running warm/hot water duing the winter months.

So after I removing the insulation, is there a real need for me to replace it?

Thanks in advance

 

"I've lived here for nearly 4 years and 75 % of the insulation is on the ground and I havn't needed it yet. Yes the floor gets a little cold."
Asked and answered. Where do you think that cold air goes? Right into the room above. Yes, you need the insulation. You won't stop crickets, sorry.

 

Of course it goes into the floor. I mentioned this in my first post. However there really is no difference in temps. Atleast not noticable.

In my experiance, insulation is more trouble in crawl spaces then it's worth. But I'm still waiting to hear debatable arguments on that.

As I said before, in the four years i've lived here, I havn't needed it. Who knows how long it's been this way prior to me living here.

 

But by not having it in place, you will never know the difference in temperature retention of the rooms above. There is no debatable argument about the use of insulation whether in crawlspaces, attics or walls. If you are satisfied with your power bills and the comfort factor of the rooms, leave it out. We just give information based on best practices and experience.

 

Yup, bills are were they should be, compared to other homes i've lived in. All of my concern right now is to remove the moist insulation which has caused mildew and mold under there. My wifes been tired for no known reason. Just raises some eyesbrows.

As I've said in the other post, it's very difficult in this area to keep crawl spaces dry. Once the insulation gets damp it's useless and is not doing any good. Hope you understand my point?

So in you're practices and experience, it's best to replace the insulation only to have in get moist again and cuase mold/mildew problems? Sorry if I'm sound like I'm giving you a hard time, I'm really not. I don't disagree with insultion in walls or attics, just crawl spaces!

I just don't see how this can be justified?

 

No problem. That's why I'm here. Is your crawlspace ventilated. Are the vents open in the summer and closed in the winter? Proper ventilation will keep the insulation paper from capturing moisture and thusly mildew. There are two schools on this, and the other one is to seal it up put a dehumidifier in it and pump the water somewhere, but I don't understand that theory at all.
Fresh air cross breezing the crawlspace will help keep the area drier. In our practices, of course, we wouldn't install insulation in an area where it was obviously going to become degraded, so we take care of the moisture, then reinsulate. Interesting to hear if you have ventilation or not.

 

Yes there is ventilation and they are all stuck in the open posistion due to corrosion. I'm going to replace them this weekend with the automatic style vents.

I'm assuming the insulation is the original. The house was built in 74 and it may just be years of mold and mildew ect...

Thanks for the replys

 

One more question. How was the insulation held in place? Was the paper up or down? It should have been applied in the up position with the vapor barrier toward the living space. It should have been held in place with wire "stays". You can buy them in bundles and they are about 15 1/2" long, slightly longer than the 14 1/2" between the floor joist bays so they will bind themselves when inserted.