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Unventilated Crawl Space
An Unventilated Crawl Space is a Warm and Dry
Crawl Space
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Unventilated crawl spaces offer
benefits over a traditional vented crawl space. An unventilated crawl space
is similar to a basement in that it is reasonably warm and dry and can thus
be used for storing items that could be affected by cold or hot
temperatures. An unventilated crawl space is also less apt for causing cold
floors and freezing pipes in the winter time. Finally, an unventilated crawl
space will have less moisture problems compared to a ventilated crawl space. |
For decades, building codes have
required that crawl spaces be vented to allow moisture laden air to escape the
crawl space area. The moisture in the crawl space is caused from moisture in
the damp soil that permeates up into the crawl space.
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Unfortunately crawl space vents never
seem to really do a sufficient job of removing moisture from crawl spaces, and
sometimes they are more of a problem then they are a help. On hot, sultry days
humid outside air has the tendency to only make a crawl space even more humid.
To create an unventilated crawl
space three components need to be incorporated into the crawl space; a vapor
retarder, insulation and some conditioned air (heat).
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These three components are
exactly what are found in basements that typically do not require
ventilation.
To create an unventilated crawl
space start by installing a vapor retarder, aka vapor barrier, on the floor
of the crawl space. Typically a 6 mil plastic will work just fine. Just
make sure it laps up the sides of the crawl space walls by about a foot.
Tape the vapor retarder to the sides of the crawl space walls to properly
seal it.
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Finally apply sand and gravel over
the vapor retarder to allow you to walk/crawl around the crawl space without
the threat of damaging the vapor retarder.
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Next, install batt or rigid foam
insulation on the walls of the crawl space and in-between the floor joists near
the band joists.
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Then, introduce some heat into
the crawl space area. You may need to contact a heating contractor to help
with this.
Finally, make sure the existing
vents are closed and that the doorway entrance to the crawl space is also
tightly insulated.
With these steps taken, your newly created unventilated crawl space
should be warm and dry all year round. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
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