Originally Posted By: ekartal This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Pretty neat Kevin Letterman
As far as vented crawl spaces in the north is concerned, you can ask 100 inspectors if they should be vented and 50 will say no. Anyone really know for sure? it may be a lot colder up here but it gets real humid too. Please speak.
Originally Posted By: dcarroll This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Vented crawl spaces can be a problem in the North because of the possibility of frozen pipes and cold floors. You understand the necessity of it when you’ve crawled into a crawl space dripping with condensate and full of rot. I’m not sure what the solution is, but I can tell you that it is necessary. Maybe some type of power venting that takes warmer air from the attic.
Originally Posted By: dcarroll This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
A little more on this topic. Gutters, down spouts, grading and keeping the shrubs cut back go a long way to help keep the moisture content down. That and the proper venting will keep your house from rotting underneath you.
Originally Posted By: psabados This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Don’t forget the vapor barrier
Unless other problems exist, most vented crawlspaces are drier than non-vented units. The power ventilator is an excellent idea. Its the same concept of the powered attic ventilator that has a thermostat and humidistat control.
That type of unit should be recommended as a future upgrade.
Paul
Counting down the days to Orlando 2005 T-minus 225 and counting
Originally Posted By: Guest This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Proper ground vapor barriers and wall insulation completely preclude the need for vented crawl spaces. If anyone wants to know more the Journal of Light Construction had an excellent article last year and Joe Lstiburek has written volumes.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Chad Fabry wrote:
Proper ground vapor barriers and wall insulation completely preclude the need for vented crawl spaces. If anyone wants to know more the Journal of Light Construction had an excellent article last year and Joe Lstiburek has written volumes.
It doesn't preclude the need if it's required by state code! 
Originally Posted By: Guest This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I don’t know about the radon Dan,
Many of the crawls are treated as conditioned space and have low sone continuous duty fans supplying interior conditioned air at extremely low volumes. As for local code, variances have been issued.
I'll try to find the article and I'll post a link. Around here almost no homes have crawls so it's a non emotional issue for me.
Originally Posted By: dcarroll This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Just visited the Journal web site. This can’t preclude the code, but here are two of the breif articles from that site.
“Where I live in SD I look at the isue wheather to insulate the crawl space? Most times I insulate the crawl space with 2” foam and sheet rock. Cover the floor with 6mill poly taped seams and cover with 2" of sand. In this case I treat the space as the rest of the house. Mechaniclly ventlate with heated air and return air.This allows me to place utilites in the crawl space with out freezing.
You may live far enough south that freezing is a small issue. If you insulate the floor of the house and no utilites in the crawl space, so the house is isolated from the crawl space, I would ventlate the space to the out side using a temp or humidity controled vents. "
Bill 5/9/04 3:47 p.m.
Install a vapor barrier material such as "Tu-tuf". Seal it to the perimeter sidewalls with urethane sealant and also around piers or support structures. Seal the overlapping seams with the "Tu-tuf" tape. Close and seal all crawl space vents. Then spray wet spray cellulose on the perimeter walls and the band joists. Many building codes require vents, but this just allows moisture laden air into a cool space where it condenses on the cooler surfaces. By sealing and insulating, you can prevent this from happening. The ground elevation under the house should be at or above the exterior ground elevation to prevent "ponding" of water under the house. Any run-off water or shubbry water should be directed away from the house also. "Home Energy" magazine this month has three articles on crawl spaces.
