How to block an open crawl space with cellulose insulation

[SIM]

This video shows an important step that was needed before we could dense pack the exterior walls to this three-family rental unit. In this property a drop ceiling was installed when the home was converted from a single-family to a three-family residence. This is commonly done to conceal ceiling damage, but also to run separate electrical and pluming lines to the upper unit.

During the installation of the drop ceiling the upper part of the lath and plaster on the exterior walls was damaged and/or removed. As a result, it would have been impossible to dense-pack the walls with cellulose without the cellulose being forced into the narrow drop ceiling area.

To properly insulate this home and dense-pack the walls with cellulose a large bag was sewn and placed against the exterior wall. Cellulose insulation was then blown into the bag to expand it and create a barrier against the open wall cavities. Though the bag does not create a perfect block, it created the barrier needed to allow the cellulose to back up and pack to approximately 4.0 pounds per cubic foot in the exterior walls.

[Racine Insulation]

Wow, that is really impressive and a good fix to a tough problem. Some people probably would have crawled in there with spray foam to seal up that opening before dense packing the sidewalls with cellulose, but I imagine it would have cost a lot more and may have put cracks in the ceiling (most insulators I know are pretty burly .

[Smazz]

I have a crawl space that is so low it is almost impossible for me to do any work (insulation) down there. Not sure why my crawl is so much shortere than most.
There are no studs on the short wall so do the experts here think I could use a similar method such as this? Where i would make bags above and somehow place them along inside perimiter of the block wall of the crawl? I dont think I could spray the cellulose against the wall as it would not "stick/stay compressed" correct? I would seriously need a midget to do anything more complicated than that down there. Any ideas?


thanks

[Racine Insulation]

Smazz, are you talking about a basement crawl space? If so, you can't use cellulose in a basement crawls pace mainly because of moisture issues. You will want to use 2-part spray foam on the wall and it will stick to almost anything. Put 6 mil plastic on the dirt floor and run it up the wall 6-12" and spray foam right over it.

If space is the issue find a skinny insulator. I have a guy that got stuck under a floor joist and started to panic. We had to grab him and pull until he was out. He was fine but needed a breather

[Smazz]

Thankyou "Racine Insulation" for the response.

A basement crawl is exactly what I am talking about.

Do you have any info/links on 2 part spray foam for a DIYer? Best place to buy and reqd equipment etc? Or is it just a case of adding an adhesive to the cellulose (sorry, Im a newby when comes to insulation)

Thanks again, look forward to any info you can give.

[focusonenergy]

There are many manufacturers and distributors of 2 part spray foam. Google Tiger Foam or try the EFI web site to purchase Touch-n-Seal brand from.

Be careful however, these foams contain isocyanates and are very dangerous to inhale. At minimum use a NIOSH approved respirator system with organic canisters.