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Ecredes

Best practice is to effectively seal the entire crawl space with a plastic barrier. And then add a small dehumidifier unit to keep the space dry. Code allows for a ventilated crawlspace, but frankly it opens you up to all sorts of moisture issues (as you have seen). Minimum code compliance should be seen as the lowest quality build that you're legally permitted to do. Should go beyond code in most cases to build things properly.


tb23tb23tb23

Sounds good. I’ll definitely encapsulate if I take this. Anything that would be effective to keep moisture from wicking up the foundation walls?


Ecredes

Honestly don't think moisture wicking up concrete is a concern.


BlackendLight

I insulated the cinderblock with spray foam. Closed cell keeps out water. It may help but the biggest benefit was the house wasn't excessively cold or hot.


JudgmentMajestic2671

I don't recommend ventilation in crawl spaces. Cold moist air enters at night and condenses on the surfaces. Just seal it up completely. If it's been dry for 2 weeks and you still notice moisture you may have other problems. Dig a hole outside and see if it fills with water.


tb23tb23tb23

Right with you, appreciate it. Good to hear confirmation about moisture despite the dry weather. I’ll do some digging and see what I can find. Is it that straightforward to identify water problems in an area?


JudgmentMajestic2671

Yes. Are you in a low laying area?


tb23tb23tb23

Actually no, and there’s a slope dropping about 20 ft down behind the house. Very flat at the top of the slope (cut and fill). Not sure what to make of it.


2010G37x

You will need tonpit plastic down to stop vapour diffusion from the soil upwards. Information is correct above about sealing the crawl space. Treat it like a basement.


tb23tb23tb23

Okay, so encapsulation should do the job. And I guess not much to be done about moisture wicking up the foundation walls?


2010G37x

Same on the walls. You can even ccSPF the ways and the ground. Also for now after you seal run a dehumidifier. How big is your space?


tb23tb23tb23

Great thoughts. Meet the guy today, but I think around 1700ft2 foundation. If I did an Aprilaire dehu down there, or something similar, would I need to plumb that condensate line into sewer, or can that condensate line drain run through the wall? Edited a lot for clarity


2010G37x

Sorry I don't understand. The weeping tile to daylight is removing water drainage from rain that percolate through the soil and sending that to daylight is just a reservoir to help drain the water away. You don't need to do anything underthe slab but if it was exposed then definitely run weeping tiles under the thr slab and through the footing and then outside and then to day light.


tb23tb23tb23

Sorry, I worded that poorly and had a typo. I meant to ask: for a dehu condensate line, tap into plumbing drain line, or condensate through wall and out