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Replies: 15
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Gridiron Giant [15453]
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Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 6:41 PM
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We've had a musty smell in our house this summer. Pretty certain it's coming from the crawl space. We've had 3 companies all come give estimates to address the issues underneath some of which includes a few small areas of standing water (from condensation), Replace the insulation, address mold, add dehumidifier.
My questions are:
1) Anyone have experience with Crawl Space Ninja? Thoughts?
2) Anyone successful in filing a claim with their Home Owner Insurance to pay for remedy/encapsulation?
3) Anyone DIY their crawl space work?
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Heisman Winner [80599]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 6:58 PM
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ion generator
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Associate AD [1086]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:36 PM
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My HVAC guy says the my crawl space is in good shape, i.e. no water, but he did mention the possible installation of a dehumidifier. I just can't see the cost, though, if there is no water
Is the water in your crawl space recurring? Is it coming from any condensate line?
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Game Changer [1801]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:40 PM
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I had to do the encapsulation (long story). Ninja was about 25% more than the 2 other quotes I got. Recommend you get 2-3 quotes
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Campus Hero [13231]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:40 PM
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Condensation from AC ducts?
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Game Changer [1801]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:55 PM
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No. Tons of water during build process. Not handled after house was dried in
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Gridiron Giant [15453]
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Re: Crawl space questions
Aug 18, 2024, 12:49 AM
[ in reply to Re: Crawl space questions ] |
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For me, yes. A small amount of water.
Also some near the return which is also under the house.
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Orange Blooded [2244]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:47 PM
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Is there plastic covering the floor? (if it's dirt). A gravity drain could also help channel water out depending on the slope in there. Finding the source of entry for water would help so it can be diverted from the outside. If it's just condensation, the gravity drain won't help; the plastic could.
Sometimes insulation under the floor in that situation can cause more moisture, mold around the floor joists.
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Orange Elite [5410]
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^^^THIS^^^ plus make sure you have good cross ventilation, maybe add a vent
Aug 18, 2024, 12:02 PM
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Fan to create negative pressure throughput if the air is not moving through. Stagnant air flow when it is humid + insulation against joists and subfloor is a recipe for mold.
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Game Changer [1898]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 7:48 PM
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I sent you a T-mail of my horror story. My advice is get a package hvac unit. Get the air handler out from under your house! I encapsulated mine diy and installed a dehumidifier. So clean you can crawl under and sleep now.
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Gridiron Giant [15453]
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Re: Crawl space questions
Aug 18, 2024, 12:50 AM
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Thanks for the t-mail. I'll get back to you.
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Orange Elite [5597]
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Re: Crawl space questions
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Aug 17, 2024, 11:52 PM
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Worked with a crawl space contractor in Charleston before joining the Air Force.
Companies will try to sell you on an encapsulation when you most certainly do not need one. They're very nice but they are ungodly pricey! Companies will often times install them without remediating the source of moisture penetration.
You could save tons by simply laying down a 20 mil poly plastic sheething (trash bag) you can get from Lowe's. I would recommend completely sealing off your crawl space...to include vents, the sill that lays on the block, and any other opening in the crawl space. You can seal that by buying the cans of spray foam from a hardware store. Seal everything until you see no light.
Then install a sante fe dehumidifier size depending on your crawl space.
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Orange Elite [5410]
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^^^This would work too if the cause of the moisture is air handler, but you
Aug 18, 2024, 12:09 PM
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should sure that is only way water is getting in. The dehumidifier with limited moisture will work, but if it there’s a river running throughout after heavy rains that poor dehumifier will be working overtime.
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1st Rounder [640]
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Re: Crawl space questions
Aug 18, 2024, 12:24 PM
[ in reply to Re: Crawl space questions ] |
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Also in Charleston where we always have high humidity. My termite control people (Terminex) found that I had that "white powder mold" on the floor joists. Also, some of the joist showed potential rot. I know I had to do something...and very soon.
The plastic ground covering (aka visqueen) had deteriorated and ground moisture was not drying out even though I had adequate open foundation vents. Replacing the visqueen and closing the vents MAY help, but not the best option.
I helped a friend encapsulate his crawl space. It can be a DYI and there are suppliers on line that sell all you need (thick white sheet plastic, wide tape, anchor studs and guns, etc.). When I thought about doing my own, I opted to get 3 options and the quotes had a wide range.
Make sure the plastic stops 6-8" from the top of the walls and piers to provide termite inspection. If you go up all the way, your termite company will not cover any damage which may show up. I installed an Aprilaire 100 pint unit and a Little Giant pump. They taped my dehumidifier to a thick foam board which absorbs most of the noise and vibration. Remember you will need a duplex 110v GFCI outlet within a few feet of where the mechanicals are. Had a "wye" installed to send the dehumidified air in 2 opposite directions. I have a large footprint and they tried to sell me 2 units, but locating the unit mid-foundation worked with the one unit. Make sure they close and seal (expanding foam) all your existing vents, any cracks and the TOP of all the plastic at the piers and walls. I made new access doors with pt 2xs, pvc sheet goods and ss nails and hardware.
You will need to go inspect once they are finished on a bright sunny day do see for light intrusion and also after a heavy rain to check for water. They had to come by 2 times as some of the seams were not properly melted.
My humidity setting is 55 and the remote readout usually shows 50- 55. Temp usually between 70-74 even when it's 90-95 outside ambient. It has also cut down on my power bill as the floor above the crawl space is kept cooler.
Good luck on whatever you decide!
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Fan [35]
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Re: Crawl space questions
Aug 18, 2024, 6:18 AM
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Where is the house located? Are you in the Upstate?
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Gridiron Giant [15453]
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Re: Crawl space questions
Aug 18, 2024, 6:42 PM
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Chattanooga, TN
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Replies: 15
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