Ever since the remodel started back in July 2010, we noticed we were missing quite a bit of insulation from underneath the house. In addition, there were new electrical wires and plumbing run during those first few months which meant more insulation had to be removed. The remaining insulation, still in the joists, had been put in backwards by a previous owner (paper side down). We were finally at a point to put in new insulation.
We had been researching this project for quite some time to be sure we were doing it correctly and our plan was to do the work ourselves. We had also had some conversations on the subject with our handyman Bob, who years earlier had said he wanted nothing to do with it. However, as we began formulating a plan of action, we realized how nasty of a job it was going to be. In addition, Mike's work had been taking up more of his time than when we started our house remodel, so, in order to get this project done before the winter and not wait another year, we asked (begged) Bob to reconsider and he agreed, although I'm sure that in the midst of the project he wished he had stuck to his original decision.
To save money, we decided to remove the existing insulation ourselves. So we both got suited up in coveralls, masks, eyewear, knee pads and gloves and dove into the dark, dank, smelly crawlspace. Since Laurie is smaller, she got the fun job of going back into the far reaches of the crawlspace - braving huge spiders and possible snakes - to pull down the insulation which she then passed to Mike (wasn't that nice of him!). Then all the old insulation was dragged slowly to the crawlspace opening and thrown into our rented dumpster. We had just enough room for it. We did not get any photos of this activity, but Mike used his GoPro and captured some of the highlights. Here is just a snippet of what went on down under. This was horrible work and we would not recommend that anyone do this themselves. Pay a couple of youngsters $300 and save yourselves a lot of sore body parts.
After we completed the insulation work, Mike installed protective covers on the light fixtures in the crawlspace. When the lights were installed in 2010, they were just generic bases with a light bulb. Since that time, Mike and others have come close to breaking off a light bulb or two during a trip into the crawlspace. Mike also knows that, based on home improvement shows he has seen, bare bulbs like this are not to code. We bought some plastic cages from Amazon that connect to the base and cover the bulb (could not find anything similar at our local stores). We hoped this would protect the workers and the bulbs during the installation of the insulation.
 |
| Now protected from head banging |
Now that the space was clear, it was ready for Bob and his crew. We had purchased all the supplies in advance online and had it delivered to the house. The materials we settled on were unfaced R21 batting, held in place with steel pins, and then covered with 6 MIL plastic sheeting to protect it from bugs and small animals. It took 3 guys just under two days to complete the whole project. Laurie took some pictures of their activity for our records as shown below. A week later our camera stopped focusing which we can only attribute to all the dust and insulation that was in the air. Mike found some online sources on how to clean it, but it was never the same after that. Will have to add a new camera to the remodeling costs.
 |
| One of Bob's workers crawling around |
 |
| A picture of Bob putting up insulation |
 |
| After the plastic was put in place |
 |
| Nice and neat |
 |
| Even Zena likes the new cleaned up crawl space |
 |
| Can still see the insulation through the plastic |
Stats: 4 Home Depot trips; 2 Walmart trips
Remodeling expense 9/02/14-10/14/14: $1,408
Remodeling expense to date: $43,209
