BEST METHOD FOR SKIRTING A CABIN WHEN BUILDING ON PIERS. Keep Pipes From Freezing.

Today I'm sharing the method I use for skirting the crawlspace beneath my cabins. All my structures are built on piers and skirting the perimeter helps to keep my floors warm and prevents my pipes from freezing.
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On my channel you will find videos pertaining to homesteading, gardening and living off the grid with fun DIY projects for self-reliance and SHTF emergency preparedness situations, with some campfire cooking and good old backwoods humor thrown in. Sharing knowledge and stories from over 30 years of living in the woods.
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[@davidjones8680]

With the way the world is going, all this "backwoods logic" is becoming more and more useful to know about. Many thanks Boss.

[@bobwallace6812]

Thank you, will do.

[@user-pq9zc3uc7m]

Always entertaining, J.C. If a lot of people have been asking about this, I'm glad you didn't skirt the issue. Blessing to you, Lori, and the brood.

[@shempshempleton4746]

Well done :)

[@cyndib3587]

I see what you did there!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Good play on words buddy :-)

[@23Josilee]

Always great advice...and still love the ending with "Frankie and the Boss" and hope you never change it !

[@RatdogDRB]

The cement board is a good idea for a skirting material. Flame resistant, and if you coat it with a hydrophobic material, especially where it comes in contact with the soil, you lessen the chances of moisture wicking up to your framing. Gotta love that good ol' bubble-foil too. Great stuff.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Yessah :-)

[@keithrayeski6417]

JC, you are a wealth of knowledge, information, wisdom and….good ole backwoods logic!! A rare breed we’re blessed to have a part of our lives. Thank you brother…I’m reassured that we just might survive the worldly craziness, every time I watch one of your episodes! 👊🏻😎

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks for the kind words :-))

[@auntiepam5649]

I have always loved the bubble foil under the floor. You were the first person I ever saw do that. Thanks Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you for saying so :-)

[@robertgriswell6066]

@@thebossoftheswampBrother, I’m So glad that I stumbled upon your channel this evening ! I will definitely subscribe to your KZbin channel immediately! Thanks, Robert Griswell, in Georgia.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

@@robertgriswell6066 Thank you Robert and welcome to my channel.

[@donaldmatthies6026]

A smart man with wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for taking time to film, edit and post this video.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thomask4836]

Dear Jimmy, You and I chatted about this a couple of years ago and I want to say Thank You, , , , it was worth the wait. I still have not skirted the cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin but you have given me some GREAT ideas! Thank You Sir! Take Care, Tom

[@hummingwind8869]

Boss, I am done building my cabin but I loved this video. So informative and easy to follow. I actually have only enclosing the crawl space left and this gave me great ideas. Also, as a single 65 y.o.woman doing the job myself I find these ideas very doable. Thank you very much for taking the time to share this video.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Happy to help and good luck with your project.

[@hummingwind8869]

Thank you!

[@glynischamberlain9126]

Fantastic video and explanations. Thank you. Makes perfect sense I always have to watch the Frankie and the Boss video at the end. Please don't change that. 😢

[@asimplehorseman4648]

I've skirted and insulated the floors of two cabin builds with your methods and both are working "as designed". Zero problems at minus 20F. No vents, no mold/mildew. I also staple bubble foil on the outside of windows in the summer that face the sun. Works great. Thanks JC.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Excellent!

[@andreycham4797]

The method he is using is widely spread in countries with cold climates. Soft EPS foam works as a dempfer. It is much cheaper than to put footing 2 meters deep and build a foundation wall on top of that .

[@markgallagher1376]

Great tips, Boss!! You can’t argue with actual experience and observations.

[@sarkybugger5009]

Had that drummed into me as a youngster: Do it nice, or do it twice.

[@patriciaherman6499]

I see other fairly new You Tubers use your methods especially with the bubble foil and give you the credit for the idea. Another interesting informative video Hugs to Tildy and a heavenly hug to Frankie. Blessings to you and Lori. 😊🇺🇲.

[@janied8831]

Love Heavenly HUG to Frankie 😇😇😇🕊

[@Sally-nse2]

Yes a warm heavenly hug 🤗 for Frankie 🕊️✨

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Happy to hear it and many hugs to you as well :-))

[@josephbillian3052]

I used bubble foil under the floor in my wood shop on the back of my barn ! The floor stays warm ! I have a little wood stove in there ! I’ve it !

[@TrentGunnellGeorgiaExposure]

Now that's just good "Backwoods Logic"..., YaaSSir!. You know that's my favorite part! Another great video JC! God Bless!

[@janied8831]

Amen Amen to that !! 😇😇😇🕊

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks 👍

[@rebeccanordlander6043]

Thanks JC for all your knowledge and backwoods logic. You're one of a kind!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you for your comment :-)

[@raybonecrusher4516]

Good thinking and great logic. You aced it my friend. Thanks for the video. Ray

[@sheilaprisco5038]

Well you did it again! Great information, thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤

[@FarOutAlaska]

Another big benefit to skirting is - if a forest fire comes thru, the skirting prevents embers from blowing up under the cabin and setting it on fire.

[@richardwilliamswilliams]

Good afternoon from Copperhill Tn. We will leave the light on!

[@NeverTakeNoShortcuts]

This is the video I've been waiting for!! Great!!

[@transcendcapitalism]

this guy is nice i appreciate him

[@suezaple4950]

A great deal of information and tips Boss. All making sense at that, Love your videos always informative always fun. you are one smart cookie .

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@EdKirkpatrick10]

Another informative and entertaining video, thanks JC

[@jeanettec6212]

Hello Boss. I love seeing you as always. Its good you share all your backwoods logic, so many lacking these days. I love to hear from you so keep them coming!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@underdog2594]

Thanks for sharing!

[@robertbrogley6211]

As always another great video

[@louellen7271]

Already watched it twice!

[@g.s.7022]

Another interesting video with lots of good old information like using bubble foil, building a crawl space and so on. Thank‘s a lot, have a good time. Big hugs to Tildy and God bless☘️💫🍀😉

[@dennismartin5409]

Thank you JC ! I will try your idea on the foam under the bottom plate when I build my cabin . Will also use the reflection bubble foil! Very appreciative of your advice!

[@terryporche9059]

Another great video JC. I love the “hardy board”, it’s rodent proof. That care and God bless. As we say down here, HAPPY MARDI GRAS !

[@jmessick8163]

JC you put out so much helpful content! We have been looking to skirt our cabin. Send love and gratitude. Many blessings y’all, Linda

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@daveschreier6019]

Thanks for the video! I’m considering building a post and pier cabin and this would work out great in the upper Midwest.

[@davidlee9299]

Just love this video!!! Thank you so much!!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

I enjoy learning from your wisdom and experience. I'm always pleased to see you feeling well. 👍👍👍

[@thebossoftheswamp]

I appreciate that. Thank you.

[@randalltom9750]

I blame Spring Fever! But I have to say Bossman, if I miss one of your videos in a week, I get wonky. Squirrel crazy... But hey, you're a busy guy, I get it. Just sayin': "Keep em' coming!". Thanks Bossman!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

New video coming out later today. Lori had to fast track a surgery last week but I think we're getting back to normal now.

[@randalltom9750]

@@thebossoftheswamp Hope Lori is doing well. My 'Squirrel Crazy' episode has abated. I went fishing, down at the river. My wife sometimes will give me a banana, or she'll just go shopping. Both work. Thanks Bossman!

[@richardrenneckerjr7684]

Thanks for a great video.

[@bobjones9727]

Great video. I like the idea of using the cement board. Simple yet brilliant! Durable and probably less expensive than other materials. I'll try this on my new pump house build. Keep em coming Boss

[@karinjudge7277]

It’s nice you are able to help many people with your videos. You are very giving. Thanks Boss :) God bless.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you and God Bless :-)

[@dellazoe]

Nice new logo and music but still you. Looking good JC! Thanks for the informative video .... New camera looks good and great editing/music! I remember many of these scenes & buildings!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you. My new editing station was a bit of an investment so I appreciate your comment :-))

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

I like that compressible foam board used for a freeze barrier idea and the cement board for skirting I've only ever used it for tile jobs thanks for sharing !

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@sandrathomson1084]

Mornin Boss, Lori and Tildy 🖐🏻. Thank you for sharing another great video with us. Love the Backwoods Logic. Stay safe and warm. God Bless Y'all. Love and Prayers For All ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Many blessings -))

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

Keep the construction backwoods vids comingVery handy.

[@user-db7kt1wt3x]

Thanks for taking the time to share the information. I like that garage, good job man.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you

[@carolynkid216]

Great information Boss Man. I won't be doing any building projects myself, but you are a great resource to point other to! Thanks so much. Have a great week and God bless.

[@denisewilson8367]

Yes he is. I have sent many new/young off grid first time cabin builders to the Boss of the Swamp videos. Mostly for the foundations, bubble wrap uses, and the corduroy roads. They don't all take my advice bcuz they later have issues. But I tried to help them. I just wish the ones who did take your advice would have given you credit in their video so others could learn also.

[@crazycritterlady8788]

Hi JC ive been watching you for quite a few years and remember privious videos where you show this method of the bubble wrap. We had a mobile home with lots of ventalation around the whole mobile. The park had a water leak under the home that no one (we had several plummers and the park matiance staff go under there with the same result, no leak! We were told there were several low spots that were collecting rain water and to put several box fans under there to dry it out. Which we did, but we still had a very bad mold problem in the master bedroom closet. The closet wall backed up to my daughters bedroom where her bed was also against that same wall. Altho we never saw any mold in her room it still bothered me it was there. Finally i called the water co. Told them the problem and he came to look. He said the whole end of the mobile was moldy underneith, and the ground was just saturated with water altho there were no above ground telltail signs. The ground was spoungy and that end of the mobile had sunk on its piers about 6 inches. He nosed around and found the water leak from the main. Told the park manager and we filed a lawsuit documenting everything from when it started having problems. We had professionals come and get rid o&$f the mold. I lost clothes shoes and purses as the mold was on my side of the closet. We asked for restitution for extra heating costs in the winter, replacement of my personal items, the walls, flooring, sub flooring and carpet in the master bedroom. Also to have it releveled and repair the roof as the 6inch dip caused the roof to crack and leak. It was a mess! Took the park 2 yrs to complete the repairs and we had to continue living there till it was done. As time passed the damage from all the dampness caused the floor all over the movile to get soft spots which we bought sheets of 3/4 inch plywood and just threw it down over the soft spots my husband even broke thru one spit in the livingroom with one leg. After that we started looking for a new place to live. The park manament refused to pay for new flooring throughout the mobil stating they had no proof it was their fault. So we moved and even tho we owned the mobil we didnt want to be bothered to pay for the repairs which would exceed anything we'd recieve from the sale of it. So we locked it up, left whatever we no longer wanted in the mobile, put the keys in an envelope with a note saying we donate it to the park manager! We decided she was so nasty we'd let he deal with it. Recently l had a chance to go by the park and its still there. There were a whole lot of repairs needed to bring it back up to code sp the park ate it not us! My hubby did do the bubble wrap under our next place, floor and skirting as the house we bought was up on puers, so thank you so very much for all your "how to do it right" videos. ❤

[@kleineroteHex]

Good backwoods logic =best advice!!

[@Rocker6969]

Excellent, thank you for the advice :)

[@patrickbass3118]

Can't have a video about construction without mentioning the bubble foil! Haha. Love it. Great stuff my friend, this certainly gives me a lot of ideas for what to do when building structures - thanks again, and keep doing the great work you do!

[@cindyoquinn6382]

Excellent tips, Boss!

[@jjjvclub]

Good information! Thanks! Love your build videos.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@bmac1209]

Well done Jim! Much appreciated

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

Thanks for this, Boss....I build everything on piers as well here in the mtns of SW Virginia. Sheds, barns, little houses, cabins....but the bubble foil idea I totally took from your building methods from more than one of your videos. Best skirting and best floor insulation I've ever used, for sure. Thanks again, Tom.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Happy to hear that. People that bawk at bubble foil have never used it :-)

[@ryanchaloux360]

Very well done! Thank you for sharing your methods.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidferguson9213]

Thank you!!

[@scottmcfarland2149]

Another great video JC! 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@leostephens1780]

Another great video. I have a 20X24 cabin that needs to be lifted. Once I figure that out, I’ll definitely skirt and insulate as per this video. Thanks so much!!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Good luck with your project.

[@henryo3607]

Very well explained, great tips Foresure I use that bubble foil all the time for different projects it’s great stuff thanks for the awesome video, all the best to you and Lori.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adirondackwoodsman]

Good tips. I need to add some permanent skirting to my camp at some point. Thanks for sharing.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrRDJEEP]

Great info JC. Saved mentally and in virtual for when I forget hahaha. Take care Enjoy.

[@lesterwicklein717]

Good Stuff as usual thanks for vids

[@panamafred1]

Great video, the cement board is perfect. I am a proponent of a totally-sealed crawlspace. If the crawler is cooler and the outside air is warmer (and warm air can hold more moisture than cold), then when the warm moist air enters the crawler, condensation happens and mold follows. I like crawlspaces built and insulated just like the structure above. If the vertical foam on the crawler wall can go down below the frostline, even better, the dirt floor will remain much warmer. Then a crawlspace vapor barrier on the dirt floor, sealed to the foam on the walls, finishes it off. If it is in the budget, a 2-inch concrete "rat slab" over a moisture barrier allows one to put a mechanic's creeper in the crawler. Talk about luxury! Heating the crawlspace by circulating upstairs air through the crawler is a great idea, keeps the upstairs floor nice and warm. Sealed crawlspaces. Frog butt tight, no spiders (spiders love air flow; they let the wind bring the food to them), no mold, same quality of air as upstairs. A wonderful living space for very short people!

[@watavuemountain481]

Thanx for the review. We are right around the corner from closing ours in and I Love the idea of the cement board. Of course when we do it we will give you all the credit in our video!! 😊😊. Thanx again, Be Safe and God Bless!!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@locksbog4270]

Great logic for anywhere 👍😃✌️🇺🇸💪

[@kann2210]

Great videos! I will be using some of your ideas to winter-prove my cabin. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bulletdgw742]

Thank you for the video Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

You're welcome :-)

[@mags102755]

Love your logic Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@user-ht6bp5im1z]

Just the Fact it keeps out bugs etc is GREAT ! Nevermind all the rest it does for longevity, warmth, safe clean living.. I Applaud you my friend. Peace 🙏 from Big Jim New Hampshire USA aka Boston Strong

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you kindly :-)

[@douggibson9084]

Thanks Boss, great logic and advice. If a person what to gain quick experience talk and see someone who has already been down that road and thank them. As they just save you a lot of time and money. It's called wisdom.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you kindly :-)

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Building on cmu block piers and slab. But have 6 foot frost depths. Thanks for the videos. I am insulating foundation and piers as it is code here. I am in sand till about 5 feet when I hit hard pack. Cement boards breaths too. I am using dolostone for splash area. Lots of carbonic and tannic acids so not using limestone or lesser carbonic stones.

[@frank_III]

Wow, that solution for the garage appears to be extremely affective. Excellent building science. Well done !

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks :-)

[@timothyweiss619]

Boss, I have to give it to you for making people aware of how good the bubble insulation is. This stuff is very cost effective and easy to work with. Nice Video Take Care Brother

[@thebossoftheswamp]

And I still get naysayers bashing it because of the low R Value. Last week someone said my floor needs to be at least an R30. I responded "who needs R30 when they have bubble foil" -))

[@richvail7551]

What a great video. I’m at this phase of my construction and I really liked the look of that concrete board. I’ll be referring to this video many times I do believe. Thank you for showing such a simple and effective solution.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm working on a followup to this topic and hope to have it out within a few days.

[@richvail7551]

@@thebossoftheswamp I’m looking forward to it.

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Really Enjoyed Your Shared Tips Here Boss ! Prayers For All There Friends ! Hugs For Tildy ! ATB T God Bless

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you Terry and many blessings to you and yours.

[@imogeneclark2518]

Thanks.. Heavenly Blessings to Frankie..beautiful creature.. I'll be using this medium foam under in my next cabin biuld.. I'll try to replay this a few times to understand how you're doing it.. Thanks again from northern Alabama

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Good luck with your project.

[@louisd9876]

Just subscribed to your Channel, I’m now 66 years old and want to build a cabin on a lot I purchased next to a river. Hopefully this channel and your knowledge will help me out so much as I am not a great carpenter. Thanks!!😊

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Welcome to my channel and best of luck with your project.

[@mattd8411]

Thank you got the video great ideas.

[@BradKaboord]

Great insite on building. Thanks and see you in the next video.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Well... after 9 hours of searching for footage, then clipping and pasting and doing voice overlays, then driving to town to upload it. I appreciate the comment but don't care for your mode of delivery either. Have a nice day :-)

[@mikerogers9711]

LOVE THE BUBBLE FOIL. 👍🏻

[@MoroMoro1]

very informative video. Will definitely look into cement boards and bubble foil

[@markbrown6236]

I love when you get to the bubba foil. It's magic.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Makes my day just thinking about it :-)

[@StepvanDan]

Great video and thank you for sharing,big hugs from MN

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks for the visit.

[@barrypierce9100]

I like that nice job.😊

[@daveorminski7015]

Hey Boss man This video is great. Perfect timing. Raised my cabin last Summer will be skirting this year. Was at a loss where to start/ best application etc. all cabins in area..have open foundation to combat moisture issues. Going to skirt with ur suggestions regardless maybe adding layer of plastic as barrier to help. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for your work on these videos. Very clear, concise and detailed. Best to you the Mrs and Tildy. Be well Boss man!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

I used PT to frame the floor of one of my cabins and the bubble foil prevents any moisture from contacting the subfloor plywood so mold is no issue.

[@jamesgibbs8827]

I remember when I first found you. It was way back when you were installing bubble wrap/ foil in the floor joists . Showing us from under the house in crawl space. You had an old metal ? Tool box buried in the ground under there w fresh veggies water all kinds of goodies that stays fresh and didn't freeze. I have built/remodeled homes from Maine to Long Island NY all the way to Arizona. I immediately told everyone I knew about your procedure. I mean Everyone I turned on to your video & channel. You Definitely are the BOSS my friend. Unless Mom is the Big Boss and your Jr.. lol. Love you Both. Stay Safe Stay Positive Healthy & Blessed. Amen Peace from Big Jim New Hampshire USA aka Boston Strong

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Happy to hear that Jim. The tool box is full of produce and beverages as I type :-))

[@andrewmcgibbon9785]

I always enjoyed your channel, but i haven't seen your channel in my feed for more than a year. I assumed you stopped making videos. I just checked, I'm still subscribed. I'm clicking the notification bell. Glad to see you're still here.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

For whatever reason, Utube isn't notifying my subscribers anymore. Welcome back!

[@somelikeithot444]

Thank u for sharing this w us Jim.Godbless and stay warm.😊

[@thebossoftheswamp]

God Bless -)

[@henryblicharz5556]

Excellent presentation!

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you kindly!

[@jeffvw1994]

I live in the pacific north west on the coast where the humidity is always high so subfloors need a ton of ventilation, used to live a couple hundred miles inland here where it's way dryer where the ventilation under subloors is barely used.

[@Desert-Tan-Whiskey]

Enjoyed the video boss

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad you enjoyed :-)

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Great information thank you!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@user-oy7gg1zz3o]

Great idea

[@Sally-nse2]

Great video and tips, as usual boss ❤

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@LarchLine]

Wow! Great subject! We are building a cabin on piers , and we skirted it with hard foam insulation, no structural wood. We screw it against the deck ledger, then we put some dirt on the outside at the base and on top we line it with 6mill plastic that is also extended 5 feet around the outside perimeter too, keeping the moisture away from the cabin. So far, the basement is doing good. We had -27F , we had to heat it a little because we aren't ready to move in the house (no insulation in the walls yet) and there was no heat at all coming from the house. We are living in the camper on the property while we are working on the cabin. Hopefully, in 3-4 months, we can move in. Bubble foil is going to have a lot of use

[@paulwilson7234]

Good afternoon Boss from Belfast.

[@janied8831]

Love your Backwoods Logic an at 79 now don’t think l will be using Bubble Foil for anything but aleays pass it on to others !! Just enjoy listening to you makes day more ENJOYABLE 😊 Happy Valentines Day to you an Lori an Tildy girl ❤

[@janied8831]

PS. God Bless an Health you Lori an Tildy

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you and God Bless.

[@williamkn621]

Nice video Boss 👍

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@toddtangen6750]

Great idea! One could also use rockwool for the insulation (if you have the money). Rockwool will provide the insulation factor, but bugs hate it and won't try to burrow through.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Rockwool is my favorite insulation but I think I'd stick with the foam under the plate. I shared in one of my past videos where mice were pulling rockwool out of a wall and transporting it to a different wall and building next with it. They preferred the rockwool more than fiberglass. Prior to my findings I had always heard rodents hate it.

[@harmonysalem9377]

Merci from Montreal Canada