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Rigid foam board insulation is one of the safest insulation materials for basement walls. The panels offer a moisture barrier to prevent mold and mildew build-up. At the same time, this material is also fire-resistant, so you don’t have to worry as much about a fire breaking out as you would with spray foam insulation. 

Exposed ductwork can sweat just like ductwork placed behind walls, sometimes even more so. Ductwork sweats—like a cold drink on a hot day—because of a temperature imbalance between the air in the duct and the air in the room. In a crawl space or wall, this temperature can equalize faster due to the small space but in lofts and open rooms, that wouldn’t happen as quickly. Many people insulate their ducts for this reason.

Freeze-proof faucets can still benefit from insulation, and they will need covers if you live somewhere with extremely cold winter temperatures. These faucets work with a design that keeps excess water in the pipes inside the home to minimize the risk of freezing, plus a downward slope for any water flowing through the pipes to keep moving. But keeping a cover on all faucets, even freeze-proof fixtures, is the best way to avoid frozen and burst pipes.

If you're replacing insulation, it's a good idea to remove the old insulation before adding new. This is especially true if the existing insulation has suffered from water damage or been exposed to pests. You also need to remove old insulation if you'll be installing a new and different type of insulation, such as trading roll or batt insulation for spray foam.