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.

[@Ken-h5d]

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 !

[@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.

[@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 :-)

[@markgallagher1376]

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

[@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 :-))

[@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. 😢

[@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

[@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 .

[@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 :-))

[@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!

[@rebeccanordlander6043]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you for your comment :-)

[@sarkybugger5009]

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

[@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 👍

[@richardwilliamswilliams]

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

[@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!

[@transcendcapitalism]

this guy is nice i appreciate him

[@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 :-)

[@daveschreier6019]

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

[@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 !

[@louellen7271]

Already watched it twice!

[@jjjvclub]

Great informationJC thanks for the tips!

[@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 :-)

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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" -))

[@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 !

[@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.

[@John-w9m8d]

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 :-)

[@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.

[@adirondackwoodsman]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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 :-))

[@russell7489]

good point on soft foam

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks. I just posted a followup video on the subject.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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 :-)

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

I appreciate that. Thank you.

[@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. ❤

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Thank you. I have been in the construction industry for over 40 years. However, I haven't faced the circumstances you described until now. I'll definitely put some of your suggestions to good use. We've incorporated void form under many a grade beam with stellar results. The saying I'm with, " never time to do right, always time to do it twice."

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Glad you find my ramblings beneficial and thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@francoisbouvier7861]

@thebossoftheswamp I'm 68 and still learning. Came into possession of an old LT40 Wood Mizer, so I am now attempting to become a sawyer. My first substantial project is a 30×40 post&beam shop. I was leaning towards a full on grade beam with pillasters. Affordability has me building of concrete piles. Hence, closing in around the perimeter. Thanks again.

[@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 -))

[@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 :-)

[@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 :-)

[@kleineroteHex]

Good backwoods logic =best advice!!

[@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☘️💫🍀😉

[@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.

[@davidferguson9213]

Thank you!!

[@robertbrogley6211]

As always another great video

[@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.

[@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.

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

Keep the construction backwoods vids comingVery handy.

[@frank_III]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thanks :-)

[@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

[@underdog2594]

Thanks for sharing!

[@paulwilson7234]

Good afternoon Boss from Belfast.

[@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 ❤

[@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 :-))

[@KenC49]

Hey Boss! Honestly, anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time round. Your method by using Styrofoam on the ground side of the bottom plate is a great idea. I remember you had a video a few years ago where you were putting the bubble foil in under the cabin. You brushed on the subject of skirting a little bit then. I still really like your garage at the other property. Just the right size for someone like me . Have a good one boss. Hope you and Lori are doing well.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you Ken :-)

[@richardrenneckerjr7684]

Thanks for a great video.

[@markbrown6236]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Makes my day just thinking about it :-)

[@Doormaster77]

Thanks for the great tips as usual. Seems if you can take advantage of the geothermal heating of the ground, you don't need to go crazy on insulating the crawlspace. We were looking into a geothermal heating/cooling system and found out the ambient temperature of the ground when you get down to 4' or so stays consistently at 45F degrees. It doesn't take a great deal of energy to heat or cool from that temperature to allow for comfortable living space conditions.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Exactly. Frame the floor with PT and with bubble foil preventing moisture from reaching the subfloor, I have no worries about mold.

[@Doormaster77]

Good plan! We have been brainwashed into believing that we must follow certain insulation rules and no one ever tries any different materials because this is what we were taught. @@thebossoftheswamp

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@mikerogers9711]

LOVE THE BUBBLE FOIL. 👍🏻

[@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!

[@feonix138]

Styrocrete is cheap and will work as well. You could trench pour it.

[@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!

[@locksbog4270]

Great logic for anywhere 👍😃✌️🇺🇸💪

[@stephaniewillson9383]

I wrapped my whole cabin in that bubble wrap. It works great in summer and winter for the deep south....

[@EdKirkpatrick10]

Another informative and entertaining video, thanks JC

[@waynebrown5428]

The back woods logic logo is awesome! Did you print some t-shirts? Great information Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you and shirts and hats are in the near future.

[@juanitahamlin8478]

Dreamed last night of you and Lori...we were eating dinner out at some diner with a red and white checked table cloth, that vinyl kind and you had an art show prior to the dinner and I was cleaning off the table like I was staff and told you to go ahead and load your art and Lori and I were chatting like old friends while I wiped the table. I thought of it a thousand times today, it was so real. You are not just another youtube channel. I swear not ONE other YT person was ever in my dream. ha ha Got a nice fire going tonight, and my dog, Clem, is beside me. Jim calls him 'mama's boy' and I agree. Have a blessed evening, Boss (and Lori), juanita mae

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Hey you never know but dreams can come true. We just need to find a place with a red and black checkered table cloth haha -D

[@juanitahamlin8478]

@@thebossoftheswamp if we ever get that way or you get this way I will bring the tablecloth ha ha

[@juanitahamlin8478]

@@thebossoftheswamp I read your response to Jim and he laughed but also I think you inspired us both most when I was afraid it would NEVER happen. We are still unfinished working on projects, probably will always have them and he bought 6 more acres for our fruit trees (4 are woods and 2 open) but we honestly have made it work and happy with our choice to live off grid. Just again this past week power was out for neighbors down the road and we didn't even know it at the time. They were without 12 hours due to wind downing a tree

[@thebossoftheswamp]

@@juanitahamlin8478 That's awesome. We are back on the hillside clearing land so if we ever decide to build the house we were talking about, we'll be good to go.

[@TheRancherAndTheWife]

Awesome content at always Boss

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@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.

[@NeverTakeNoShortcuts]

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

[@mags102755]

Love your logic Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@joe-l6c4j]

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

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you

[@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.

[@juanitasullivan3372]

Ahhhh, good ole bubble foil. Love it. I even told my landlord about it because these are old A Frame cottages he's renting out here and there is a good size crawl space under each of them. I told him which of your videos to watch on that now I will let him know about this one too. I told him about the bubble foil a couple years back but he never said anything so I don't know if he ever watched or not. I gave him the links to the videos.👍

[@thebossoftheswamp]

A lot of people poo poo on the idea of using this because their narrow mindedness can't allow them to understand how well it works. My inbox gets bombarded with naysayers spouting the you shoulds haha :-x

[@juanitasullivan3372]

@@thebossoftheswamp You hit the nail on the head.

[@davidlee9299]

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

[@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.

[@timcoolican459]

SKIRTING The method that you're talking about, using Styrofoam under the bottom plate, is a common practice used when building concrete grade beams on piles. It's called void-form. This is a good idea, as the Styrofoam also acts as an insulator at or below grade. Now sand can be used as a type of void-form, placing at least 3 - 4 inches under the bottom of the skirting, so long at it is not compacted. The combination of both sand and Styrofoam will ensure that there would be no heaving, whatsoever. Another way to ensure your skirting will last longer, is by 'hanging' it from the bottom of the cabin. The skirting is built using screws and glue, then installed with glue and screws to the bottom of the building, leaving a void under the bottom plate that can be filled with sand and/or void-form. I like the idea of flashing the bottom plate, however, I recommend that the bottom plate be clad entirely with flashing, protecting all three sides from soil and water. VAPOR BARRIERS It is always a good idea to place a vapor barrier on a crawlspace floor. It prevents 'vapor drive' from pushing up water and gases, like radon gas, into the crawlspace. It would also be a good idea to install weeping tile, sloping the floor to a central drain, which flows outside of the crawlspace. This is just in case there is a leak from the building above, or a mishap like flooding from outside, whether by mother nature or a child leaving the hose on. Vapor barrier should also be installed on the inside walls of the the crawl space. It will prevent cold air from driving through the the walls in the winter, as well as holding your insulation in place. The vapor barrier from the walls can be sealed on top of the floor's vapor barrier, creating a sealed crawlspace. Now venting should be installed, for use in the summer months, especially if there is a considerable amount of humidity or rain, but they need to be closed and sealed tight for the winter months...that is, unless you plan to heat the crawlspace. Just a few suggestions that I hope will help.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Very interesting to know that the foam method has been used before as i have never heard of it nor seen it done. I used to leave a void beneath the plate but then thought of filling it with foam and have been doing this ever since. I totally agree on the vapor barrier. I don't use it beneath my cabin because I rely on the ambient temp of the ground for keeping my crawlspace at an even temp. Blanketing the soil traps the ground temp beneath it and my crawlspace becomes colder. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@dpgsm]

time for an update on using radiant foil best practice.

[@danielfawley4711]

Boss gave me the bubble foil tip a few years ago. I don't use anything else.

[@lesterwicklein717]

Good Stuff as usual thanks for vids

[@speteydog2260]

Wow nice

[@John-Adams-Can]

You can also wing out with styrofoam equal to the depth of maximum frost. Will never heave. Done in the far north on cheap indigenous homes to save with slab on grade foundations. Also now common in the lower homes in Canada.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

IMO I don't think you could overdue the styrofoam.

[@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.

[@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.

[@scottmcfarland2149]

Another great video JC! 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@bmac1209]

Well done Jim! Much appreciated

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Thank you :-)

[@cindyoquinn6382]

Excellent tips, Boss!

[@linusgallitzin]

It is a shame that many building standards don't include some of the more practical and cost effective means of doing this. The benefit is likely reducing the paperwork involved by getting out of zoning regulations until they "catch up" to backwoods reasoning. :)

[@bulletdgw742]

Thank you for the video Boss.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

You're welcome :-)

[@dubehigh]

That’s my project this spring. And I love Bubble foil. Thanks JC. Did I mention I love bubble foil lol. Wish we could post pictures here I would show you some of the things I took your advice on and it hasn’t failed me yet.

[@thebossoftheswamp]

Honk if you love bubble foil :-))

[@dubehigh]

Honk honk honk