[MPinc]

Hi guys!

New to the forum but seemed like a good spot to get some knowledge.

My mother recently purchased a home in the Chicagland area. Per the town code the crawl space insulation needed to be upgraded to an R19 minimum.

Because of how small of a space it is, 800 Sq FT house, we decided to tackle the project.

When first getting down there, there was an extremely decaying vapor barrier slopped & ripped all over the space & old fiber glass insulation ripped & falling all over.

Not a fun job getting it all out!

When we were down there, it was dry, which was shortly after a good rain, which I was extremely happy about.

Fast forward to last week.

I get down there to run a cable line, first time being back down there since we removed the insulation, which was also after a good rain & there were puddles all over. Some 3-4 inches deep!

I was extremely confused because the only thing that changed was us pulling the old insulation out.

It does not appear to be leaking pipes because some of the puddles are no where near anything.

So after this essay, I come to find out if anyone has any idea where the hell this water could be coming from? & what are my steps to getting it out.

ANY insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you guys!


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[Bud9051]

The water and related moisture may be one of the reason for all of the insulation falling down.

The delay from the rain to the arrival of the puddles could be due to a ground water source vs directly through the foundation. In any case, you have a problem. And your conclusion that it was not pipes, if correct means it has to be from the soil.

My proposal would be to clean up the space, level it and pour a couple of inches of concrete, referred to as a rat slab, over a good vapor barrier. The problem with just installing a vapor barrier is it will float when the water comes in.

In addition to the concrete you will want an interior drain system dumping that water into a sump pit where it can be discharged away from the house.

Even though this may not be directly related to rain fall next to the house, landscaping, and extended leaders to move as much water as possible as far away as you can is important.

The perimeter drain to a sump pit would probably be a good starting point.

Bud

 

[MPinc]

Thanks for the response.

We're trying to keep this as cheap as possible. I know that may not be possible, but would maybe laying stone down or something similar work?




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[joecaption]

Stone does nothing!!!
There has to be at least 2000 post on this one subject.
She needs working gutters with down spouts away from the foundations.
No mulch or flower beds forming ponds against the foundation.
Grade has to run away from the foundation.
Foundation should have been waterproofed.
Vabor barrier should have been a minimum of 6 Mil. black plastic.
No way would I be poring any form of slab to try and fix this!

 

[Gary in WA]

Welcome to the forums!

You never had condensation on the plastic vb before as the temperature was a lot colder than it is now because you are gaining heat from the lack of insulation. The dirt is the coldest/closest area where the warmed, moist air is going to; http://buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-049-confusion-about-diffusion

Add new insulation. Fiberglass will sag over the years, and compress from its own weight; especially if a vapor barrier facing is present (more weight= sags fast) and lack of wire supports to hold it up. Use string next time, or a housewrap, or better still-- add foam board to the joist bottoms; Fig.7; http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-009-new-light-in-crawlspaces/ May need an ignition barrier, depending on crawl access...

You need the facing if an older house with diagonal solid wood sub-floor and no plywood (with glue layer as a vb). First fill ALL holes in the floor above where wires/pipes enter to above- some go clear to attic. Metal around the bathtub drain to deter rodents. Good time to shoot some low-expanding canned foam under the tub for support/warmth during a bath with a straw extension.

Gary

 

[MPinc]

Awesome info.

Thank you guys so much!


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