Crawl space insulation in Federal Way, WA, can be a challenging job. Before essaying the repair yourself, consider the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional crawl space insulation. While doing the job on your own may seem like a sensible and cost-effective way to save money and resources, choosing amateur methods can cost you much more in the long run.
This blog post explores whether you should DIY crawl space insulation installation in Puyallup, WA, or go the professional route so you can choose better. So, continue reading as we cover all elements of taking on this big project yourself versus hiring an expert for help.
What is Insulation?
Insulation in Washington is a material that slows or prevents heat flow, keeping heat trapped inside the home in winter and outside the home in summer. A well-insulated and well-designed property provides year-round comfort, reducing cooling and heating bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
What is Crawl Space Insulation?
Crawl space insulation in Kent, WA, involves waterproofing your crawl space and protecting areas susceptible to temperature changes or moisture damage (floor joists, foundation walls, and dirt floors). When a crawl space is encapsulated, a vapor barrier and other materials are installed to create a sealed enclosure around and within the crawl space.
A crawl space insulation in Auburn, WA, can:
- Help reduce energy bills.
- Improve the air quality of your property by blocking moisture and mold.
- Manage radon gas, if present.
- Improve the energy efficiency of your property.
- Reduce musty smells.
- Provide warmth to cold floors.
- Protect wood beams from damage, which, in turn, protects interior floors from buckling or sagging.
- Reduce infestations.
A properly sealed, moisture-protected, and insulated crawl space in Gig Harbor, WA, can increase comfort, improve the durability of your property, save on energy costs, and reduce the entry of radon, moisture, and other possible irritants or pollutants into the home.
Pros and Cons of DIY Crawl Space Insulation
The only advantage of DIY crawl space insulation in Auburn and Gig Harbor, WA, is that it can help you reduce the cost you would normally spend on the installation and the materials. However, it has numerous cons, including,
- Time, resource, and energy-consuming
- Possibility to source only lesser quality materials
- No warranties or guarantees.
- It isn’t easy and can cause unnecessary accidents.
- You may overlook some factors that need repairs or complete replacement
- The risk of incorrect installation process or use of materials
- You might face a safety hazard
- You might damage some plumbing or electrical lines
- Face legal issues for not complying with your area/building codes.
Returning to our first point, a successful DIY repair can surely save you money, but it’s often more challenging and time-consuming than people anticipate. If you’re not experienced in crawl space insulation in Kent and Tacoma, WA, it’s easy to make mistakes that will cost you more in the long run. If the problem is more serious than you thought, you could do more harm than good.
Pros and Cons of Professional Crawl Space Insulation
A. Pros of Professional Insulation
Compared to DIY crawl space insulation in Gig Harbor, WA, a professional approach has a lot of advantages and only a few select cons. Let’s discuss them below,
1. Licensing and Insurance
Credible crawl space insulation companies in Auburn, WA, have insurance and licensing, protecting you from accidents, mishappenings, and emergencies.
2. Time-efficient
Hiring a professional expert for crawl space insulation in Washington will take less time to finish the project. This is because they have a team of people who do this for a living and know how to install attic crawl space insulation.
3. They take care of everything
No prep work or cleanup is required with a professional crawl space contractor in Kent, WA. They’ll remove any old insulation and take care of any such prerequisites without causing you a headache.
4. Professional Spray Installation
A professional crawl space contractor in Puyallup, WA, knows how spray insulation works. They will fit the insulation where it should be and avoid getting it where it should not be.
5. Leave Drywall Intact
A professional insulation contractor in Federal Way, WA, can install new insulation without removing the existing drywall.
B. Cons of Professional Insulation
There aren’t many cons to hiring a professional to complete your insulation project in your home.
1. Higher Pricing
Hiring a contractor can be more expensive than buying and installing the insulation yourself, but remember that this extra cost becomes worth it when your DIY project starts going wrong.
2. Dependence on scheduling
Insulation contractors in Tacoma, WA, are in demand, and you may need to wait a few weeks before they can visit your place. You can avoid this by planning your home project during the slow season.
Factors to Consider in Making a Choice
1. Budget and cost considerations
Cost is one factor when considering DIY vs. crawl space insulation in Federal Way, WA. Materials such as vapor barriers and tape are inexpensive. You can expect to spend $1,000 to $4,000 to do your crawl space encapsulation. Given that this is a physically difficult task and some equipment may need to be rented, it may be better to hire a professional to do the job in the end.
2. Level of expertise and experience
While DIY projects may seem cost-effective, crawl space insulation requires expertise and precision to achieve the right results. That’s why hiring a crawl space insulation contractor in Tacoma, WA., is always better.
Hiring a professional ensures proper installation, addressing potential issues, and maximizing energy efficiency.
3. Time constraints
Beyond dollars spent, hiring a professional is also the best possible way to budget your time. If there’s one thing about crawl space insulation in Gig Harbor, WA, it’s that homeowners are already on a set timeframe when encapsulating their properties.
If you take the DIY approach, your project may stretch longer than if you hire a professional insulation contractor in Washington, as insulating your crawl space yourself will be far more time-consuming and stressful than leaving it to an expert.
4. Safety concerns
Lastly, it would almost be painful to ignore the fact that crawl spaces are host to many health hazards like pests, mold, fungus, structural damage, Hantavirus, and sewage water that may harm the house or inspectors.
One should never enter a crawl space without proper personal protective equipment, which is usually only available with professional crawl space insulation contractors in Puyallup, WA.
To avoid such sticky situations in a cool, dark crawlspace, hire experts from 316 Insulation who seamlessly monitor and encapsulate your crawl space without putting you or your family at risk.
Conclusion
Now that you know the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional crawl space insulation in Auburn, Gig Harbor, and Tacoma, WA, it is time for you to decide which path to tread. While it may seem like seeking professional help is more expensive than doing the work yourself, a credible and reliable insulation company like 316 Insulation can complete the job faster and more effectively.
We’ll take care of the issues plaguing crawl spaces and re-insulate the area under your floors for a more comfortable home-living experience.
So, if you have noticed evidence of water damage or mold/mildew in your crawlspace or attic insulation in Federal Way, Puyallup, and Kent, WA, or if your energy bills have been increasing each month, we can help. Our team at 316 Insulation can inspect the insulation in the various parts of your property and provide you with a professional, honest evaluation with a proposed solution. Contact our team for more details today.