Crawl Space & Attic Guide Guides
All 145 guides in this topic, newest first. Start with the Crawl Space & Attic Guide hub »
What Is a Sump Pump? How It Works, Types, Costs and Care
What is a sump pump? A plain-language guide to how sump pumps work, submersible vs pedestal types, ratings, typical cost…
Blown-In vs Batt Insulation: Cost, Coverage and Best Uses
Blown in vs batt insulation compared: typical costs, coverage, settling, DIY effort, R-value targets for Front Range att…
Spray Foam vs Fiberglass Insulation: Cost, R-Value, Best Uses
Spray foam vs fiberglass insulation compared: typical costs, R-value per inch, air sealing, moisture, safety and lifespa…
How Long Does a Sump Pump Last? Lifespan, Signs and Upkeep
How long does a sump pump last? Typical lifespans for submersible, pedestal and backup pumps, what wears them out, failu…
Basement Waterproofing Cost: Typical Ranges by Method
Basement waterproofing cost by method: crack injection, interior drain tile and sump, exterior membranes, grading fixes,…
Why Is My Sump Pump Running Constantly? Causes and Fixes
Why is my sump pump running constantly? Common causes are a high water table, a stuck float, a failed check valve, an un…
Pedestal vs Submersible Sump Pump: Which Should You Choose?
Pedestal vs submersible sump pump compared: pit size, noise, lifespan, switches, servicing, battery backup pairing and s…
Sump Pump Replacement Cost: Typical Ranges and Cost Drivers
Sump pump replacement cost explained: typical ranges for pump swaps, new pits and battery backups, what drives price, si…
Garage Door Insulation: Kits vs. Insulated Doors and R-Value
Garage door insulation explained: foam and reflective kits vs. a new insulated door, what R-value really means, attached…
Best Submersible Sump Pumps (2026): 6 Compared by Build
The best submersible sump pump comes down to housing material and float design. We compared current listings on cast iro…
Best Battery Backup Sump Pumps (2026): 7 Systems Compared
The best battery backup sump pump keeps pumping in an outage and warns you first. We compared current listings on combo…
Best Sump Pumps (2026): 5 Picks Compared by HP and Switch
The best sump pump matches your pit inflow, lift height and switch style. We compared current listings on HP, GPH, housi…
Best Solar Attic Fans (2026): 7 Roof and Gable Fans Compared
The best solar attic fan matches panel size, airflow and controls to your roof. We compared 15 Amazon listings on CFM, p…
Best Attic Fans (2026): 6 Powered Gable and Roof Fans Compared
The best attic fan is efficient, well controlled and backed by enough intake venting. We compared 17 Amazon listings on…
Best Attic Ladder (2026): 6 Pull-Down Ladders by Load and Fit
The best attic ladder fits your rough opening, ceiling height and load. We compared 13 current Amazon attic ladder listi…
Best Window Insulation Kit (2026): 6 Shrink Film Kits Compared
The best window insulation kit matches your window sizes and film strength. We compared 12 current Amazon shrink film an…
Cellulose Insulation: Blown-In Performance, Settling, Moisture
How cellulose insulation works in attics and walls: borate treatment, loose-fill vs dense-pack, settling, moisture risks…
Vapor Barriers: Where They Belong in a Colorado Home
A vapor barrier guide for Colorado homes: barrier vs retarder, perm classes, crawl space and basement placement, double-…
Spray Foam Insulation Kits: DIY Limits, Safety, and Results
What a spray foam insulation kit can and cannot do: open vs closed cell, rim joist uses, mixing problems, isocyanate saf…
Attic Door Insulation: Sealing Hatches and Pull-Down Stairs
An attic door insulation guide covering why hatches and pull-down stairs leak, foam board, weatherstripping, covers, R-v…
French Drain Cost: Interior vs Exterior and What Drives Price
A french drain cost guide comparing interior perimeter, exterior and curtain drains, with cost drivers, sump needs, grad…
Sump Basins: Liner Size, Sealed Lids, and Groundwater Checks
A sump basin collects groundwater so the pump can remove it. Learn liner sizes, perforated vs solid pits, sealed radon l…
Crawl Space Ventilator Fans: When They Help and When They Hurt
A crawl space ventilator fan can dry a damp crawl or make it worse. Learn how vent fans work, backdraft and radon risks,…
Attic Fan Thermostats: Settings, Humidistats, and Backdraft Risk
How an attic fan thermostat works, typical temperature settings, adding a humidistat, and why air sealing and intake ven…
Rockwool Insulation: Mineral Wool for Walls, Attics, and Fire
Rockwool insulation explained: mineral wool batts and boards, R-value per inch versus fiberglass, fire and moisture perf…
Sump Pump Discharge Lines: Freezing, Hoses and Drainage
Rigid pipe or a sump pump hose? How discharge lines work, check valves, freeze protection in Colorado winters, where wat…
Crawl Space Exhaust Fans: When Mechanical Venting Helps
A crawl space exhaust fan can dry a damp crawl or make it worse. Learn when fans help, makeup air and backdrafting risks…
Crawl Space Vent Covers: When to Close Vents and When Not
Crawl space vent covers can protect pipes in winter but trap moisture if misused. Learn vented vs sealed crawl spaces, m…
Submersible vs Pedestal Sump Pumps: Choosing and Sizing
Choosing a submersible sump pump: how it compares with pedestal pumps, sizing by head height, switches, check valves, ba…
Ductwork Insulation: Attics, Crawl Spaces and Old Duct Wrap
Ductwork insulation guide: why ducts in attics and crawl spaces need sealing first, R-value basics, AC duct condensation…
Basement Vapor Barriers: Walls, Floors and When to Skip Poly
A basement vapor barrier can protect or trap moisture. When poly on walls causes problems, why rigid foam works better,…
Exterior Wall Insulation: Retrofit Options for Existing Homes
Exterior wall insulation retrofits explained: dense-pack cellulose, injection foam and rigid foam during re-siding, plus…
Spray Foam Insulation Cost: Open vs Closed Cell by Area
Spray foam insulation cost depends on open vs closed cell, thickness and area. Hedged 2026 ranges for attics, crawl spac…
Sump Pump Alarms: High-Water Alerts and Smart Monitoring
How a sump pump alarm works: high-water floats, Wi-Fi alerts, battery backup pairing, leak sensors, radon-sealed sump co…
Fiberglass Insulation: Batts vs Blown, R-Values and Install Gaps
Fiberglass insulation explained: batts vs blown-in, R-value targets, install gaps, air sealing first, vermiculite look-a…
Basement Waterproofing Paint: What Masonry Coatings Can Do
What basement waterproofing paint can and cannot fix, from damp walls to hydrostatic leaks, plus surface prep, effloresc…
Garage Insulation: Walls, Ceilings and Doors Done Right
Garage insulation explained: shared house walls, ceilings under bonus rooms, fire-rated drywall, door upgrades, air seal…
Attic Hatch: Insulating and Air Sealing the Access Opening
Why an attic hatch is often a major air leak, how to weatherstrip, latch and insulate it, pull-down stair covers, garage…
Crawl Space Door: Access, Sealing, Pests and Moisture
How a crawl space door should be sized, sealed, insulated and drained, how it keeps pests out of encapsulated crawls, an…
Sump Pump Float Switch: Types, Stuck Floats and Testing
A sump pump float switch tells the pump when to run. Learn the switch types, why floats stick, how to test one, high-wat…
Sump Pump Check Valve: Backflow, Noise and Installation
Why a sump pump check valve stops backflow and short cycling, how to orient and install one, quiet vs standard valves, C…
Basement Humidity: Ideal Levels, Causes and Dehumidifying
What should basement humidity be? EPA ranges, why Colorado basements still turn damp in summer, hygrometers, dehumidifie…
Attic Baffles: Keeping Soffit Vents Open When You Insulate
What attic baffles do, why soffit vents must stay open under new insulation, materials, installing before blown-in, ice…
Radiant Barrier: Does It Help in Colorado Attics?
How a radiant barrier cuts attic heat gain, why savings are modest in Colorado, rafter vs attic-floor installs, dust, ve…
Attic Flooring: Storage Decking Without Crushing Insulation
Attic flooring without crushing insulation: raised platforms, joist load limits, access, ventilation, vermiculite cautio…
Sump Pump Battery Backup: Types, Alarms and Testing
How a sump pump battery backup works, AGM vs wet-cell batteries, water-powered and generator options, high-water alarms,…
Ceiling Insulation: Attic Floors, Cathedral Ceilings and R-Values
How ceiling insulation works on attic floors and cathedral ceilings, ENERGY STAR R-values for Colorado, air sealing, mat…
Solar Attic Fan: Do They Work and When They Backfire
How a solar attic fan works, why it can pull conditioned air and combustion gases from the house, why air sealing comes…