When you think of insulation, you probably picture fluffy bits of fiber or foam that trap heat and keep your home warm. But things get a bit more technical regarding the basement or crawlspace. Vapor barrier insulation is a type of insulation that has specific properties to protect against moisture.
Crawl spaces and basements without proper insulating materials have a higher risk of moisture penetration, which deteriorates your home’s structural integrity. If you haven’t set up vapor barrier insulation, you should start planning for one for your basement or crawlspace. And here are the reasons you shouldn’t put it off!
Why is Vapor Barrier Insulation Crucial?
Before we talk about why it’s wrong to put off your vapor barrier insulation, let’s first talk about the importance of preventing moisture from breaching your structural living space. A basement and crawlspace without proper insulation are prone to pockets of excessive moisture with severe consequences. Moisture infiltration can lead to mold, rot, and structural issues that could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. To avoid throwing money away, you should prevent the occurrence of moisture in your house by installing vapor barrier insulation.
Moisture entering your basement or crawlspace can also seep into your walls and floorboards. Once the moisture is inside these compartments of your house, it is nearly impossible to remove it without completely demolishing the structure. The process can be costly, especially if you have a few affected walls. Vapor barrier insulation will cost you a tiny fraction of what it would cost to demolish and rebuild your whole home.
Why You Shouldn’t Put off the Vapor Barrier Insulation
Here are four valuable reasons you should never put off vapor barrier insulation!
It is a Cost-effective Way to Save on Energy
Vapor barrier insulation can help improve your home’s energy efficiency by regulating airflow through your walls. When you install insulation, you reduce the airflow in your home’s interior.
It helps reduce the amount of heat escaping through your walls, and it also helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Insulation also maintains an even temperature throughout your home and reduces energy costs associated with heating and cooling.
It Helps Reduce the Risk of Mold Growth
It prevents excess water from seeping into the structural elements of your home. It also prevents warm air from rising into the living space of your home. By blocking the warm air away from your living space, the humidity within the air condenses.
If there are any moisture-susceptible materials nearby, they could lead to mold growth. Vapor barrier insulation helps prevent excess moisture from entering your living space by keeping it out of the walls and floorboards of the basement or crawlspace.
It Helps Increase the Value of Your Home
If you intend to sell your home, you’ll need to make it as appealing as possible for potential buyers. One of the ways to increase the value of your home is by making a few improvements to make it a more attractive investment. Along with fixing any outstanding cosmetic issues, you also want to ensure you’ve done everything possible to protect your home from the elements.
It’s Healthy For Your Home
The inside of your home is sort of like a second skin. Vapor barrier insulation helps keep the elements out of your home’s living space, which helps prevent the spread of contaminants through your indoor air. Your family becomes the biggest beneficiary of a healthy home. Protecting your home from moisture and mold protects loved ones from common respiratory irritants and diseases.
Why You Need a Fully Functional Vapor Barrier Insulation
Damp air encourages mold growth. Once the wood floors start decaying, they attract insects. The soft, moist wood becomes their delicacy. Your HVAC works harder too, and energy bills shoot through the roof.
Maybe you already have vapor barrier insulation in your home. But when did you last have it checked? A vapor barrier lasts for about seven years on average before it starts deteriorating. However, extreme weather or other damage can shorten this lifespan. Therefore, you must check it often or hire a skilled contractor to examine it.
The vapor barrier insulation for your basement or crawlspace does more than protect your home. Moisture causes mold, which then causes life-threatening conditions. According to CDC, mold can cause throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, coughing, and eye and skin sensitivity.
Considering all these factors, putting off vapor barrier insulation is like inviting trouble into your home. Make sure your vapor barrier is functional at all times. If it requires replacement, a trained insulation contractor should repair it for you.
Let Us Upgrade or Install a Vapor Barrier for Your Home
To protect your home from moisture, installing vapor barrier insulation on your basement or crawlspace is critical. If you already have one in place, get it inspected and make sure it is functional. If it’s not, contact Ideal Insulation, and our team of experts will find the problem and resolve it. Give us a call today!