About 20% of heat loss occurs in the basement or crawl space of a building. In order to save the energy costs of a building, we must first try to reduce the major sources of losses, such as cracks, windows, joints between foundations and walls, etc. , regardless of the type of foundation. Additionally, the presence of humidity in a building's air over a long period of time can affect the health and well-being of residents. It is therefore very important to detect the problem and make the necessary corrections or improvements as quickly as possible.
Building inspection
The first step in correcting or improving a foundation's insulation is to have it inspected by experts to find major problems. They will be able to spot visible signs and clues that can help them find problems as follows:
1) The presence of visible water
The presence of visible water is a clear sign that there are, in fact, insulation or waterproofing problems in the basement or crawl space. In fact, water can seep into the building through cracks in the foundation walls, openings or holes, concrete slab, etc.
Figure 1 Water infiltration in the basement
2) Excessive humidity
Sometimes there is no visible water in the basement or crawl space. On the other hand, the air humidity is at a higher level than the norm, and therefore confirms the presence of an insulation or waterproofing problem. Although moisture is not visible to the naked eye, the consequences associated with the presence of excessive humidity confirm the problem.
The most common consequences are:
· The smell of damp;
· Blistering and peeling paint;
· The presence of mold;
· The presence of efflorescence;
· Metal parts that are rusty;
· Wooden components that are rotten; And
· The crumbling foundation walls.
There are different solutions to be carried out inside or outside the building, in order to correct one or more of the problems mentioned above.
Figure 2: Hydrometer to detect humidity le
Figure 3: Thermographic camera to detect humidity when signs are not visible
Do the insulation inside or outside
Depending on the existing problems, insulation experts are able to advise effective solutions for correcting or improving insulation which can be done inside or outside a building.
Interior insulation:
There are several choices of interior insulation on the market.
They are as follows:
1) Mattress insulation
Batt insulation is the most common insulation for wall and foundation insulation, due to its price and ease of installation, compared to other solutions. On the other hand, its thermal resistance is less efficient than the others and it does not protect against condensation. On this, a vapor barrier will need to be installed on the warm side of the wall.
Figure 4: Wall insulation using fiberglass mats
2) Sprayed polyurethane
Spray polyurethane is a more effective solution in terms of thermal resistance. On the other hand , economically, it is more expensive. The installation of sprayed polyurethane is done so that each hole and opening found on the foundation walls is filled. Additionally, it requires the installation of fireproof material.
Figure 5: sprayed polyurethane insulation
3) Rigid panels
Rigid panels are a solution somewhere between mattress insulation and sprayed polyurethane in terms of cost and thermal resistance. However, just like sprayed insulation, this solution requires the installation of a fire-resistant material.
Exterior insulation :
The installation of exterior insulation is the right time to check for any problems with air infiltration, humidity, efflorescence, cracks, crumbling of the mortar. In addition, it allows you to check the waterproofness of the foundation, and to plan waterproofing, as well as a drainage system if necessary. etc. Subsequently, ask a licensed contractor who is an expert in the field to carry out the corrections to the building and to finish it by installing a plaster.
There are several material choices for insulating the foundation from the exterior.
Here are a few :
1) Molded extruded polystyrene
2) Spray polyurethane foam
3) Molded polyurethane panel
4) Semi-rigid mineral fiber with air protector, for exterior application
5) Semi-rigid fiberglass with air protector, for exterior application
As building consultants, we carry out the insulation check on the exterior walls and foundation of the building, in order to check if there are any hidden signs and clues that could lead to the identification of the source of the insulation. a major problem.
Take advantage of our building expert services, it’s reassuring! Contact us to help you, before making a decision with an insulation problem.
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