crawl space issues during construction
CHSDIYER
5 years ago
hello. We are in the process of building a new house which will have an encapsulated crawl space. Of course once we put the subfloor down we've had rain almost every day which of course found it's way into the crawlspace. Because there are no vents, that moisture has been trapped in there. It looks like a good bit of white mold is starting to form and I'm wondering if there is any advice on how to move forward. I'm hoping the house will be dried in within a week or two and then I plan to install the moisture barrier and insulation. In the mean time, two questions.
1.) What's the best way to treat this and would it be best to wait till i'm about to install the barrier
2.) What should I be doing now? I open the access door and have a fan pulling air out during the day but wondering if I should leave it open 24/7 (with hardware cloth to keep animals out)
Thank you!
The pictures were taken today and the subfloor was put down last weekend.
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Comments (6)
PROGN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago
CHSDIYER
5 years agoRelated Discussions
When during construction is the septic system installed?
Comments (11)There's a local spec type subdivision that was built by a builder who assumed that the current regulations he had operated on in the past were in effect. So, that's what he put it. Without getting a permit from the health department. That had changed regulations regarding the perc requirements. Now the homes didn't have lots large enough for the leach fields required and the builder had gone bankrupt without installing the new mound system that was required. So the people who had paid him for their houses couldn't occupy them unless they paid for the mound system themselves. Only a few did, and more joined the list of creditors against the builder hoping to recuperate their money. And the bank owns a bunch of homes that can't be occupied or are half built. That is a "septic situation". And if yours is anything like that, RUN....See MoreMechanical venting of crawl space...
Comments (10)By IRC code definition, a conditioned space is a "space within a building that is provided with heating and/or cooling equipment systems capable of maintaining, through design or heat loss/gain, 50F during the heating season and 85F during the cooling season, OR communicates directly with a conditioned space. For mechanical purposes, an area, room or space being heated or cooled by any equipment or appliance." What this means is that you can add any type of heat to the under space and condtioning it. Doesn't have to forced air at all. It can be steam pipes that radiate enough heat to maintain and heating season temp of 50F or above...A strip of electric heat, radiant baseboard or any other means. Likewise, the space can be conditioned in summer by running AC to it. Likewise, the space is considered condtioned if it opens to another portion of the basement that is already heated and cooled by design or default. Likewise, the space is considered conditioned if it simply naturally falls between the 50 to 85 range at all times...even without mechanical means. The key to #5 above is that you cover the floor with a vapor retarder....insulate the walls from the top of the rim joist to a point at least 2 feet below the frost depth...and then to condition the space by design or default....See Moremoisture in crawl space - navigating my options
Comments (5)I just did this in my crawl space here in New England. This was a real DYI project since I am not handy. My contractor estimate was $5,200. I did it myself for $475.00. First remove all insulation and replace with new since it may be moist and not effective. I then ran construction foam board ( used on new exterior houses) horizontially along the walls of the crawl space. I attached them to the wall using "Good Stuff" the insulating foam in the can. I sprayed some between the foam board and wall and it's still attached. Then I applied 6 mil poly to the floor and up the sides of the walls ( now covered by foam board) for about six-eight inchs. THE KEY IS TO PREVENT ANY AND ALL MOISTURE FROM COMING UP THROUGH THE DIRT FLOOR. So you can leave / go over the exsisting poly. When done with laying the poly, where it met the walls I again sprayed "Good Stuff" where the floor met the wall still leaving the excess up the wall. When it dries to the poly, wall and floor you have a Tight seal. The worst part was working in the crawl space. Grab an old pillow or cushion for your knee's. Knee pads didn't work for me. Also a dehumidifier works on a "closed area prinsible" If the vents are open, it will just take the moisture out of the exteriior air. GOOD LUCK...See MoreMOISTURE IN CRAWL (Cross?) SPACE! HVAC Pro's please weigh in - MODULAR
Comments (5)I have a crawl space. Vents should be open all the time, except for winter months (in cold areas) Air circulation is important. A good thick plastic sheeting should be properly applied to the dirt floor to keep moisture from underneath out of the crawl space. No insualtion under the house itself, unless you have done other special work to keep it a conditioned space. Since up until several years ago, we had never had a crawl space, we thought about insulating the underside of the house, but, were told no, not a good idea by every insulation company we contacted. This is the second house with a crawl space we have owned now. It stays dry as a bone underneath, but, we also have proper drainage outside too....See More- PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
5 years ago CHSDIYER
5 years agohomechef59
5 years ago
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