[m3ch]

Hello! I need some advice please!

I purchased a house that had an addition added to it. The addition was added to a part of the house where there is a crawl space with a concrete slab.

When they added the addition, they also extended the crawl space under the addition (with a concrete floor) and connected them by making an opening in the block foundation.

Well, I recently noticed that there is a lot of air flowing between the blocks in the opening they created. There is also water in most of the blocks. I examined the walls outside and whatever I can see on the inside of the house and cannot find where the air flow is entering the block wall.

My questions:

1. Is the air flow normal?

2. Is the water normal?

3. Can I simply fill and seal all the voids in the block foundation with great stuff? Or is that a bad idea?


I live in Northern Ontario (Sudbury) Canada.

Thank you for any advice/help and for your time!

 

[m3ch]

I have a picture but it won't let me post the link since I am new to this forum.

 

[Windows on Wash]

You need to determine if the water is from interior moisture or from bulk moisture on the exterior.

If they are open and there is mechanical in those spaces, they are being treated, albeit unintentionally, as conditioned spaces and therefore need to properly insulated and conditioned.

 

[m3ch]

Hi thanks for the response.

They water is coming for outside. It's the air flow between the blocks that really concern me.

Air is flowing here: http://i.imgur.com/LBECMrd.jpg?1

 

[Bud9051]

One of the problems with a block foundation is that, unless they were all filled, they are all connected. The air you are feeling could be entering 20' away. Another issue is the natural air flow in winter forces cold air into the lower portions of a house which is then forced up and out the upper areas.

Is the top foundation block a solid block or is it open on top?

Bud

 

[m3ch]

Thanks for the response.

The top of the blocks are capped with aluminum. I never thought of looking underneath it.

One of the problems with a block foundation is that, unless they were all filled, they are all connected. The air you are feeling could be entering 20' away. Another issue is the natural air flow in winter forces cold air into the lower portions of a house which is then forced up and out the upper areas.

Is the top foundation block a solid block or is it open on top?

Bud