I have always been told/read that an unheated crawl space should be vented due to possible dryrot. However I live in the foothills of N Ca. where it is cold and relatively dry in the winter and warm and dry in the summer. I would like to seal those vents. I have all my copper main runs (insulated) for radiant floor suspended under the house as well as domestic water lines and even though they are insulated everything would stay alot warmer.Does anyone think this is a mistake?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
How about mechanical vents that you can open and close?
Chuck S
Have a look at the basement insulation articles over at buildingscience.com
Based on what I read there, I would not ventilate a crawlspace. Instead, I would seal it with 6 mil PE (taped and foamed), followed by a generous 2+" of XPS to insulate it. That way your radiant system does not attempt to heat the ground around the house, nor can humidity enter the space. Problem solved.