Anyone know what this is?

[Fredro Starr]

Just framed a room below grade and these two holes are in the concrete wall.

Does anyone know what their purpose is? More importantly, can I cover them with insulation and drywall?

 

[Richard Cranium]

They look like knock outs for plumbing and it looks to of been leaking, I would say seal it up and insulate it and then cover it up.

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah I'd seal them up -- with Quickrete perhaps? Do a wire mesh and Quickrete?

 

[G_P]

Are they above grade? They may have been the intake and exhaust for a boiler/furnace.

 

[ItsNemo]

This a former "cold room"? If so, it's ventilation.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If they need plugged, I would think that hydraulic cement would be the choice material.

 

[Dreaming]

I am pretty certain you are in a cellar or cold room. If you are not planning on heating this area do not close up the vents. If you are than I would guess closing them up may work. Not sure if you will still get condensation on the metal ceiling from the above porch.


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[matt_i]

I would be really wary if those are below grade outside. As you are creating a perfect pathway for termites to enter your entire house without being able to monitor their activity visually. If so, seal everything well with waterproofing and then the dursban equivalent if you can still get it.

 

[Shiftless]

I would be really wary if those are below grade outside. As you are creating a perfect pathway for termites to enter your entire house without being able to monitor their activity visually. If so, seal everything well with waterproofing and then the dursban equivalent if you can still get it.

Banned by the EPA in 2000.

 

[Fredro Starr]

I am pretty certain you are in a cellar or cold room. If you are not planning on heating this area do not close up the vents. If you are than I would guess closing them up may work. Not sure if you will still get condensation on the metal ceiling from the above porch.


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Yes, this room is below grade, below the porch. I don't plan on heating the room but will be cooling it as the plan is to convert it to a wine cellar.

I assumed they were for ventilation but did not know what effect drywall would have on them.

 

[rlitman]

If they need plugged, I would think that hydraulic cement would be the choice material.

That's what I would use.

Yes, this room is below grade, below the porch. I don't plan on heating the room but will be cooling it as the plan is to convert it to a wine cellar.

I assumed they were for ventilation but did not know what effect drywall would have on them.

Ventilation, below grade? Un huh.

 

[Kaizen]

If they need plugged, I would think that hydraulic cement would be the choice material.

 

[1949 caddyman]

What is on the other side of the openings, are they above or below ground?

 

[DenisG]

My first guess would be DWV (drain waste vent) for adding basement plumbing (utility sink, etc.).

 

[DC73]

Yes, this room is below grade, below the porch. I don't plan on heating the room but will be cooling it as the plan is to convert it to a wine cellar.

I assumed they were for ventilation but did not know what effect drywall would have on them.

Normal location for a cold room/root cellar. Unless you plan on storing veggies down there, you can block the ventilation. However, I'd nearly bet you'll have water leaks unless you seal the vents properly from the outside.

DC

 

[Fredro Starr]

Thanks all!!

We are going to seal them before putting in the vapor barrier, insulation, and drywall.

 

[cpttuna]

When was the room built. We have a room below ground with vent holes like that. it is the family bomb shelter built in the early 60's at my parents house.

 

[TractorJeff]

LOL!
To be "Politically Correct" we call them Tornado Shelters!
HA! HA! HA! HA!

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

You're getting too far ahead of yourself.
You're throwing up framing against a foundation wall with no insulation/vapor barrier. The standard bill of fare today is to cover the foundation walls with XPS board, tape&seal all joints and edges- then frame. And for a wine cellar add additional fiberglass insulation between studs.

I also wouldn't use "drywall" for the walls. Consider a T&G like WRC or Beech. As for the "holes" in the foundation, I wouldn't be so fast to seal them- they may prove to be rather fortunate for venting the cellar cooler (that is if you want this to be a REAL wine cellar.

Back before the depression a wine cellar was my 3rd most requested item in new home build sales.

 

[AJ1978]

I believe perhaps these were "FILL" and "VENT" pipe holes for a home heating oil tank. Just guessing. But would make sense as the tank would be out of the way. I could be totally wrong but..