Since beefing up the insulation and sealing up drafts, I barely have to think about it anymore. Plus, feels better knowing I'm not using extra electricity if I don't have to.
- Totally agree on insulation being a game changer. I used to think heat cables were the only way, but after seeing my winter bills spike, I started looking for other options.
- After wrapping the pipes and sealing up those weird little gaps around the crawlspace, my electric bill dropped by about 15% in January compared to last year. Not massive, but it adds up.
- One thing I noticed—if you overdo it with insulation and block off too much airflow, sometimes you get condensation issues. Had to pull some of mine back after finding a damp patch behind the wall... not fun.
- Anyone ever try those foam pipe sleeves versus fiberglass wrap? I found the foam easier to install but not sure if it holds up as well long-term.
Curious if anyone’s had issues with rodents chewing through insulation? Found a few gnawed spots last spring and had to redo a section. Wondering if that’s just my bad luck or more common than I thought.
Curious if anyone’s had issues with rodents chewing through insulation? Found a few gnawed spots last spring and had to redo a section.
Yeah, rodents are a pain for sure. I’ve seen them go after both foam and fiberglass, but the foam seems to be more tempting for whatever reason. Sometimes I’ll spot little nests tucked in behind the insulation too. Ever tried using that metal mesh stuff as a barrier? It’s a bit of extra work, but it’s saved me some headaches.
On the condensation thing, you’re right—over-insulating can actually trap moisture where you don’t want it. I usually leave a bit of space around vents or use vapor barriers if it looks like it might be an issue. Anyone else notice certain brands of foam sleeves getting brittle after a couple winters? Wondering if it’s just the cheap ones or if that’s normal.
