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"Ventilation and Moisture Question

| Posted in General Discussion on May 16, 2001 01:01am

*
I own a 1830’s building. It was a brewery in it’s heday. The structure is 30′ II140′ rectangular. It is one and half stories with full basement. Its made with 3 course brick. The area were located in is central Pennsylvania. We are planning on expanding into the half story or attic at this time. It is not insulated at the rafters, there is insulation between floor aandceiling of 1st floor. We have Central air and heating which I have zoned into 4 areas in the house. Do I need to install a ridge vent and open the soffits to vent the attic? I do plan on installing insulation. I’m not sure of the best approach on this project. I have not talked to any contractors in regard to this project. The house is not air tight by any means. Any help on this would be appreciated.

Now moving to the basement. We have a dirt basement which seems to have a lot of moisture. How can I keep moisture from penetrating up to the first floor. Previous owners had stuffed insulation between floor joists. The insulation is wet and the vapor barrier is lost. Also some of the floor joists are damp. I would like to keep the moisture in the basement but not lock it into my floor joists. I also do not want to pour concrete in the basement. I found after digging through some of the dirt that we have a brick floor. So I don’t want to destroy the history. Again any help would be appreciated.

Thank you all
Rod Shumaker

Reply

Replies

  1. larry_dalessandro | May 16, 2001 01:01am | #1

    *
    you may want to consider applying rigid foamboard to the bottom of the joists. properly applied they create a moisture barrier and are a excellent insulator

  2. Rodney_Shumaker | May 16, 2001 01:01am | #2

    *
    I own a 1830's building. It was a brewery in it's heday. The structure is 30' II140' rectangular. It is one and half stories with full basement. Its made with 3 course brick. The area were located in is central Pennsylvania. We are planning on expanding into the half story or attic at this time. It is not insulated at the rafters, there is insulation between floor aandceiling of 1st floor. We have Central air and heating which I have zoned into 4 areas in the house. Do I need to install a ridge vent and open the soffits to vent the attic? I do plan on installing insulation. I'm not sure of the best approach on this project. I have not talked to any contractors in regard to this project. The house is not air tight by any means. Any help on this would be appreciated.

    Now moving to the basement. We have a dirt basement which seems to have a lot of moisture. How can I keep moisture from penetrating up to the first floor. Previous owners had stuffed insulation between floor joists. The insulation is wet and the vapor barrier is lost. Also some of the floor joists are damp. I would like to keep the moisture in the basement but not lock it into my floor joists. I also do not want to pour concrete in the basement. I found after digging through some of the dirt that we have a brick floor. So I don't want to destroy the history. Again any help would be appreciated.

    Thank you all
    Rod Shumaker

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