Forgive me for being long winded.
This past fall I decided to have my crawl space insulated because there was a persistent musty smell emanating from the space that I wanted to take care of. I had a vapor barrier installed on the floor of the space and the perimeter walls were sprayed with spray foam insulation. The single vent in the space was also covered with foam.
I had some issues with the installation to begin with, including the fact that the foam was only about 1/2'' thick on average. I clearly didn't do sufficient research or vetting because I didn't know the difference between high pressure rigs and froth packs. The guy who insulated my space used a froth pack and denied any wrongdoing when the foam only ended up being 1/2''. He said this would be sufficient to create a vapor barrier and good-enough R-value.
This above issue is frustrating but the more concerning one has to do with an odor in the space. It has lessened to some degree in the six months since the installation, but a faint chemical-like smell remains. I've researched some of the horror stories regarding spray foam, and I can't quite tell whether my issue is related. At this point, the smell may really just be what I should expect of a crawl space, regardless of insulation.
Mine is a split level home, and fortunately the odor does not enter the living space, with the exception of a bedroom that is on the lowest level directly next to the crawl space. There is a large door that is pretty much just the thickness of plywood from the room into the crawl (approx. 3.5'x2/4'). When the bedroom door is closed, the bedroom starts to smell. It doesn't smell exactly like the crawl, but I don't know what else would be creating the odor. It's kind of an earthy, slightly chemically smell. It makes the room essentially unusable, except when the door or window remains open. I'm trying to get the insulator over, although he's been difficult. The foam itself looks alright, for the most part. I don't see sticky places or spots where it is clearly defective. It's closed cell foam that has some mild give when touched.
There are some places on the floor joists where there appears to be some mold. I've treated some of the spots and will treat others that I see. The smell isn't classically "moldy," though, so I wonder whether that's the issue.
This issue is really bothering me, and I'm not sure exactly what to do. I would really appreciate thoughts anyone has. I'm wondering whether I just need to install a thicker, more airtight wooden door into the bedroom, or if I should be trying some other kind of solution? There are no vents to the outside now or into the living space. Is this an issue, considering the smell? I've wondered about air getting "trapped" in the space and having to leave through the crawl door.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
This past fall I decided to have my crawl space insulated because there was a persistent musty smell emanating from the space that I wanted to take care of. I had a vapor barrier installed on the floor of the space and the perimeter walls were sprayed with spray foam insulation. The single vent in the space was also covered with foam.
I had some issues with the installation to begin with, including the fact that the foam was only about 1/2'' thick on average. I clearly didn't do sufficient research or vetting because I didn't know the difference between high pressure rigs and froth packs. The guy who insulated my space used a froth pack and denied any wrongdoing when the foam only ended up being 1/2''. He said this would be sufficient to create a vapor barrier and good-enough R-value.
This above issue is frustrating but the more concerning one has to do with an odor in the space. It has lessened to some degree in the six months since the installation, but a faint chemical-like smell remains. I've researched some of the horror stories regarding spray foam, and I can't quite tell whether my issue is related. At this point, the smell may really just be what I should expect of a crawl space, regardless of insulation.
Mine is a split level home, and fortunately the odor does not enter the living space, with the exception of a bedroom that is on the lowest level directly next to the crawl space. There is a large door that is pretty much just the thickness of plywood from the room into the crawl (approx. 3.5'x2/4'). When the bedroom door is closed, the bedroom starts to smell. It doesn't smell exactly like the crawl, but I don't know what else would be creating the odor. It's kind of an earthy, slightly chemically smell. It makes the room essentially unusable, except when the door or window remains open. I'm trying to get the insulator over, although he's been difficult. The foam itself looks alright, for the most part. I don't see sticky places or spots where it is clearly defective. It's closed cell foam that has some mild give when touched.
There are some places on the floor joists where there appears to be some mold. I've treated some of the spots and will treat others that I see. The smell isn't classically "moldy," though, so I wonder whether that's the issue.
This issue is really bothering me, and I'm not sure exactly what to do. I would really appreciate thoughts anyone has. I'm wondering whether I just need to install a thicker, more airtight wooden door into the bedroom, or if I should be trying some other kind of solution? There are no vents to the outside now or into the living space. Is this an issue, considering the smell? I've wondered about air getting "trapped" in the space and having to leave through the crawl door.
Thanks so much for your thoughts.
