1. The current sub floor insulation or attic insulation is damaged by a moisture issue:
Once sub floor insulation is wet, it is no longer useful. It will lose its R-value. Replacing wet insulation is a must.
If you ever have a moisture issue in your crawlspace, call Universal Insulation Doctor for a free insulation inspection to ensure your insulation is not at risk.
2. The current insulation was contaminated by a pest infestation:
If you have had a pest infestation, the likelihood of your insulation being contaminated by urine and feces is very high. Remember, a significant amount of the air you breathe in your home comes from your crawlspace. Imagine what you and your family is breathing in after that infestation. Universal Insulation Doctor recommends removing the contaminated insulation, then applying a disinfectant treatment, and then installing new insulation.
The United States Department of Energy warns homeowners that just 1 in 5 homes constructed prior to 1980 are sufficiently insulated. While homes constructed today are required to meet R-Value standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy, this requirement was not included in building codes prior to the mid-1970s. This means that approximately 80% of homes built before this time need better sub floor insulation! If you’re uncertain if your home falls within this category, contact us and our energy experts can help you determine if you’re in need of sub floor insulation. R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material.
A homeowner in Kempsville (Virginia Beach) reached out after noticing cold floors, higher utility bills, and a musty odor coming from the crawl space. During our free inspection, we found sagging, moisture-damaged sub-floor insulation and signs of past pest activity that can leave insulation contaminated.
Our team removed the damaged insulation, performed a sanitizing/disinfectant application, and installed new sub-floor insulation snugly along the floor system to restore performance. After the upgrade, the homeowner reported noticeably warmer floors, improved comfort, and a cleaner crawl-space environment—plus peace of mind knowing the job was backed by our follow-up process and satisfaction commitment.
Fiberglass is probably the most common material. It’s budget-friendly, and newer products don’t irritate the skin and lungs.
Rock wool (also called mineral or slag wool) is created by spinning or drawing fibers from molten materials to create the insulation.
Your Universal Insulation Doctor inspector can discuss the best insulation option for your home. Call today for a no-charge assessment. We will measure your existing insulation, take photos of any additional concerns under your home and share what we think the best options will be for your home.
For more information related to attic insulation check out some of our relevant blogs, tailored to Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.
Sub-floor insulation is installed beneath your living space (typically between floor joists over a crawl space) to reduce drafts, improve comfort, and help your HVAC system run more efficiently—especially important in Hampton Roads where crawl spaces often deal with humidity and moisture concerns.
If insulation becomes wet, it loses R-value and stops working as intended—replacement is recommended. It’s also smart to replace insulation after moisture problems or when it’s sagging, falling, or damaged.
Yes. If you’ve had a pest issue, insulation can become contaminated by droppings and urine. Universal Insulation Doctor often recommends removing contaminated insulation, applying a disinfectant treatment, and then installing new insulation.
R-value measures resistance to heat flow—higher R-value generally means better insulation performance. Many older homes (especially those built before modern insulation standards) may be under-insulated and benefit from a crawl space inspection.
Common options include fiberglass insulation (budget-friendly and widely used) and rock wool/mineral wool (durable and effective). Your inspector can recommend the best fit based on crawl space conditions.
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