groan — crawlspace furnace duct insutat
Hey, all
The “groan” part is mostly due to the fact that, well, that crawl space has flooded. Again.
Did you hear about all the flooding in Indiana in the last couple of weeks? Well, we didn’t get it as bad as some other folks, bless their hearts. Our electricity did not get shut off, nor did the water ruin our newly redone basement rumpus room. But it did flood the crawl space, for the second time. (Niether time did it really threaten the house above the sill plates)
And I still had not gotten around to insulate those ducts!! Now, I know, you’re thinking Jeesh!! This guy sure can procrastinate, and I guess its true. But, it would have turned out to be a nasty mess if I had used the foil-faced fiberglass insulation that is commonly used.
So, it looks like I have a quesiton about what you recommend for insulation ducts for this unusual situation. (My wife is convinced that now mold is coming into the house through the ducts, after the flooding, and in “quite anxious” to get the ducts sealed up.
Also, any tips on what to do to the crawlspace now that it has flooded will be appreciated!
Doug
Northeast Indiana (close to Ohio!)
Replies
Are these metal ducts?
Are you wanting to insulate them or seal them up?? Use mastic to seal them up. I found a caulk tube of mastic for the purpose at Home Depot a few weeks ago. Haven't had an opportunity to use it yet.
Or call these folks, http://www.rcdcorp.com and ask which of their products would be applicable.
"Also, any tips on what to do to the crawlspace now that it has flooded will be appreciated!"
Ummm....dry it out???
Sorry.
...but I don't understand what you are looking for. Tips to keep it flooding in the future, tips on how to dry it out, tips on....???
How does the crawlspace flood, but not the basement rumpus room? Is the crawl under the basement??
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Edited 1/24/2005 8:54 am ET by Rich Beckman
Rich Beckman, Thanks for the reply!
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Are these metal ducts?<!---->
Yep!! And I am laughing at myself because I didn’t know these ducts came in any other flavor!! (Ya learn something new everyday!)
Are you wanting to insulate them or seal them up?? <!---->
Rich, ya got me again!! <!---->
I guess I’d say that first I would like to seal them, then I’d like to insulate them. <!---->
See, some of the ducts run a long way away from the source, and I want to keep that air as warm as possible. (The downstairs is freezing cold, while the upstairs (situated directly above the furnace) is toasty.) I just am trying to keep the air warm till it reaches the furthest openings, so we can enjoy life downstairs, too!
Use mastic to seal them up. I found a caulk tube of mastic for the purpose at Home Depot a few weeks ago. Haven't had an opportunity to use it yet. Or call these folks, http://www.rcdcorp.com and ask which of their products would be applicable.<!---->
Will follow that advice!<!---->
"Also, any tips on what to do to the crawlspace now that it has flooded will be appreciated!"<!---->
Ummm....dry it out??? Sorry. ...but I don't understand what you are looking for. Tips to keep it flooding in the future, tips on how to dry it out, tips on....???<!---->
haha!! Okay – I guess I deserved that! How to dry it out, is what I am looking for. This spring, it was easy. Open the door, get a fan and let ‘er rip. But, in the winter, I’m not so anxious to repeat that. Worried about cold air freezing the pipes and all. <!---->
To many, this is a simple question (maybe too simple, like how to boil water), but, it’s my first house, so I am full of new-home-owner questions.
I had never even thought about keeping it from flooding. But what a possibility. I have to say that THAT is even more interesting!!!! The only entrance seems to be the little wooden door. Think it’s possible to install a waterproof entrance????? Hmmmmm.<!---->
Ok. I’ll be checking back here often to see what your reply (and others’ replies) has to say on this!<!---->
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Doug<!---->
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I would guess the best thing to do to dry the crawl out is to put a dehumidifier down there.You probably can rent one.If you insulate the duct without addressing the flooding problem, then the next time it floods it will ruin the insulation.How much water was down there???How far away from Marion, IN are you?Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Dig a hole, install a liner, install a sump pump... very inexpensive.
You can buy the duct sealant Rich is talking about in tubs from efi.org. Compare prices, but I imagine it's cheaper by the tub, and it's fun to apply by hand.
AndyAndy Engel
Senior editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
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Rich Beckman <!----> <!---->
I would guess the best thing to do to dry the crawl out is to put a dehumidifier down there.You probably can rent one.<!---->
Rich – Thanks! Good. I’ll be looking into that! Thanks for the tip.<!---->
If you insulate the duct without addressing the flooding problem, then the next time it floods it will ruin the insulation.<!---->
Yep! That’s the quandary! I am thinking that insulating the ducts must be a good idea, though. My wife’s afraid that by insulating them that the crawlspace then won’t be warm enough to keep the water pipes from freezing, but I’m not sure I agree.<!---->
So, It might be that I just have to put new insulation on the ducts whenever it floods? That’s a little on the depressing side, but if that is the best option, then….<!---->
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How much water was down there???<!---->
About 1 ft, 1.5 ft. This time it was due to all the melting snow, coupled with a few gentle rains, etc. I reckon you being from <!----><!----><!---->Marion<!----><!---->, you’re familiar with what happened here a few weeks back! <!---->
How far away from <!----><!---->Marion<!---->, <!---->IN<!----><!----> are you?<!---->
Not far! I’m up in <!----><!---->Roanoke<!----><!---->, outside of <!----><!---->Fort Wayne<!----><!---->. That just about makes us neighbors! I grew up in <!----><!---->Zanesville<!----><!----> and moved back here to <!----><!---->Indiana<!----><!----> after being away for a stretch. Good to be back here!<!---->
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Les <!---->
Dig a hole, install a liner, install a sump pump... very inexpensive. <!---->
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Thanks, Les, for the advice. You bet ya I’ll be looking into that! <!---->
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ANDYENGEL<!---->
You can buy the duct sealant Rich is talking about in tubs from efi.org. Compare prices, but I imagine it's cheaper by the tub, and it's fun to apply by hand.<!---->
Andy, Not sure how sincere that comment was on “fun to apply by hand”! (grin) but I’ll be checking into that, too! Thanks!<!---->
Thanks again to all who have joined in on this. It seems to be a bit of a stumper.<!---->
What do you all think of this idea:<!---->
What if I completely sealed the crawlspace – took out the little door access and all, and made a solid foundation. Then, made a trapdoor access through the porch or the kitchen. Is this a really bad idea?<!---->
Till later<!---->
Doug<!---->
<!---->Northeast Indiana<!----><!---->
Doug,
"What if I completely sealed the crawlspace – took out the little door access and all, and made a solid foundation. Then, made a trapdoor access through the porch or the kitchen. Is this a really bad idea?"
Yes and no.
It is a bad idea if you do not first address the flooding issue. What seems to be the currently accepted method for sealing a crawlspace is not going to stand up to that much water pushing in on it from all sides.
Your first priority really needs to be how to prevent the water from flooding the space in the first place. Certainly a sump pit and pump is a good idea, but there might be other things that can be done around the outside of the house to move the water away.
Once the flooding is addressed, then sealing the space is a very good idea (I would argue that at that point the perimeter should be insulated instead of the crawl ceiling and so then the insulating of the duct work is, perhaps, unnecessary (or at least debatable).
I'm in the process of trying to buy a "new" van. If and when that happens I would not be adverse to driving up to look it over with you. It wouldn't probably be until a month from now at the soonest...
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Rich,
Buying a new van, eh? That sounds like fun! We just recently looked at a "new" truck, but decided to wait until another day. Here's to wishin you lots of luck on the search!
The problem here is the flooding overflows the banks of the "river" behind us, that runs on our nieghbor's property. AND, the state says we cannot bring in more dirt, if we wanted to, say, add a bit to the banks to encourage the water to just keep on flowing past these fields. :-)
I HAVE thought about quietly bringing in a couple of loads on my own, in the dead of night.....
We knew the property was in a flood plain when we got it, and we got it pretty cheap, partly cause of that and partly cause the previous owner did not take good care of it. We see it as a fixer-upper (have already done some things and the charm is coming through!!).
It looks like it is just gonna flood again, sometime, and in truth, as long as the water doesn't come into the house proper, we have decided to live with it. The first time it happened, it was, uh, well, alarming. the second time, it was more of a matter-of-fact experience.
We'd like to fix it up (mostly using elbow grease) and stay here for a while, then sell it (or rent it). part of the elbow grease is focused on getting it warmer, and hence the questions about the ducts.
I reckon, if you say that keeping the crawl space walls insulated, that that will take care of most of it, then that might be where we leave it. (After sealing it up with the goop that Andy and others mentioned).
Do come on up, if you'd lke! You can laugh at our contruction-zone lifestyle, poke around the house and let us know your thoughts. I'll get the wife to fix something good (she's a pretty fair cook).
Doug
Northeastern Indiana