Crawlspace vent issue

[mrbill55]

Working on the bump out behind the existing garage that we will be using for a pantry, guest bathroom, mudroom, and hallway to the new 30x50 garage addition. Took some pictures (see garage build thread) late yesterday, and going over them this evening, just noticed the cut outs for the crawlspace vents that our local code appears to require.

The issue that we now have is we were planning on only one step down to a ground level paver stone patio coming out of the new addition, but with the existing 8"x16" openings, this will not be able to be accomplished.

Anyone have a solution for our current (minor) quandary?



Thanks in advance,


Bill S.

 

[billconner]

A crawl space is not required. Put down heavy vinyl and let it run up walls, insulate walls (rigid foam), and don't insulate floor. Space will be conditioned. No problem for patio.

 

[Jackfre]

Should you decide that you do want ventilation, Tjernlund makes an excellent Crawl Space Ventilator.

 

[mrbill55]

A crawl space is not required. Put down heavy vinyl and let it run up walls, insulate walls (rigid foam), and don't insulate floor. Space will be conditioned. No problem for patio.

Space above will be finished and conditioned, plastic is going to be put down, but other than that, this particular space will be a stand alone without access to the other portion of the crawlspace under the rest of the house. The builder is concerned with potential build up of humidity and such. Access will be a 2x2 hatch in the floor (blended into the new hardwood floor with a finger pull) in the mudroom portion. Hate to have the smell of high humidity and potential mold underneath.

I'm open to, and will bring all ideas to the builder, but if I need to, I can create a large, wide step down with granite steps after the fact.

Thanks again for all of your assistance, it really is much appreciated.


Bill S.

 

[mike93lx]

You need to condition the space (at least Dehumidification). My crawl is encapsulated, the vents are sealed and it has a dehumidifier. I would not vent a crawl

 

[mrbill55]

You need to condition the space (at least Dehumidification). My crawl is encapsulated, the vents are sealed and it has a dehumidifier. I would not vent a crawl

With 3,000+ sq/ft of crawlspace (not including this 19X9 addition, and 17 additional vents, I've gotten quotes in the 25-30K range to convert the space as you suggested. Right now, given the low humidity and great condition of the 50+ year old structure, we are boosting insulation, and layed down a new 20 mil string reinforced virgin poly vapor liner for now. Replaced most of the old and original vents with temp controlled units that will close when cold. Again, I'm open to the idea of closing it off, but realistically, I don't see it happening any time soon.

Bill S.

 

[mike93lx]

With 3,000+ sq/ft of crawlspace (not including this 19X9 addition, and 17 additional vents, I've gotten quotes in the 25-30K range to convert the space as you suggested. Right now, given the low humidity and great condition of the 50+ year old structure, we are boosting insulation, and layed down a new 20 mil string reinforced virgin poly vapor liner for now. Replaced most of the old and original vents with temp controlled units that will close when cold. Again, I'm open to the idea of closing it off, but realistically, I don't see it happening any time soon.

Bill S.

Encapsulation and Dehumidification should cost nowhere near that. I had my 1700ish sq ft crawl encapsulated for under 4k and then I spent another 1500 on am aprilaire dehumidifier. I still need to remove the floor insulation and do the walls, but that's a later step

What about your crawl is making it so wildly expensive?

 

[mrbill55]

Encapsulation and Dehumidification should cost nowhere near that. I had my 1700ish sq ft crawl encapsulated for under 4k and then I spent another 1500 on am aprilaire dehumidifier. I still need to remove the floor insulation and do the walls, but that's a later step

What about your crawl is making it so wildly expensive?

The sheer size of the crawlspace, the removing of our current poly barrier and insulation, remove heating systems currently in crawlspace, new from scratch encapsulation, insulation, dehumidifier, etc and so forth. We are furtunate enough to not have had any mold or mildew in the crawlspace, given the number of vents that were installed when the house was built in the 60's. Even the guy doing the vapor barrier commented on how clean it was when he was doing his install. He did mention the need for new insulation, as there are better, more efficient materials these days. Our current home we did this and had the rim joists sealed, no full encapsulation needed, as again, the bare joists and floors were in fantastic shape after the old insulation was removed.

Bill S.