Crawl space question
I live in a manufactured home (ok - a double wide) that has that styrofoam enclosing the crawl space. It’s got 2 solid 2’ by 3’ crawl space access panels that I take off to gain entrance. It’s also got 6 8” by 12” screened ventilation holes that I seal up in the winter and unseal come spring. It’s a 2006. It’s over a dirt floor - no moisture barrier. The underside of the house has plastic (I think) sheeting to prevent (?) smell / moisture / rodents from getting into the house. I’ve never noticed moisture / condensation but I rarely go under the house so I can’t say for certain. I was told a while back that the more ventilation, the better, so I planned to replace the access panels with screened panels to really let the air thru and the bad stuff out. I even kicked around the idea of putting a fan down there to keep air moving.
I was listening to a podcast about crawl spaces and they said that current thought is to seal the crawl space completely and even install a small fan to gently blow conditioned living area air into the crawl space.
Putting a 6 mil sheet under the house if a pita and expensive so I’d like to not do that...
For any of you that work in the business, what are your suggestions for crawl spaces?
- Should I continue to seal / open the vents?
- Should I replace the solid access panels with screened panels?
- Should I seal the vents (but not put plastic down)?
Am I missing any alternatives?
EDIT: I just read an article that says to put down the plastic and to ensure that there are sufficient vent openings... So many things to think about!
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You could move but is sounds like you are tired of that. Don
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Fan, think about this, pulls damp air under the house when it is raining or humid.
Best money ever spent is totally encapsulating a crawl space, but it requires heavy plastic on the area underneath the home and all areas sealed where outside air can get in. Also needs a dehumidifier to remove any moisture that might build up.
All cost $$$$$$$.
The double wide should have all the moisture control built in like the plastic underneath.
Caution, keep an eye out for soft spots in the floor. When a drain or water line leaks or a dryer vent fails to exhaust properly , the moisture is trapped and rotten wood is on the way.
What is the coldest Temp where you live? Might be best to leave vents wide open.
Every time you cook something, take a shower, or even breath, guess where moisture goes?
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I think you are doing the best you can do with the hand you were dealt. To totally seal up crawl space with other bells and whistles is a PITA.
My second home in Virginia is too close to ground and I have good fresh air ventilation until December when i drain the pipes, and close up all ventilation under house. Of course I don't live/visit there Dec-Mar. No problems.
My home in Upstate NY has unfinished basement where my work shop is. About one third of cellar is earth and for quite a few years I had the heavy duty black plastic over the dirt. I found that I was getting mold under the plastic and removed it. No problems since then.
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Conditioned crawl spaces are wonderful if the home is designed and built from the get-go to have one. Putting one in after the fact is a royal pain. Put down some black plastic and if you really feel the need put in an exhaust fan connected to a humidistat. The fan comes on when the humidity reaches a set point and continues to exhaust air from under the house and draws in fresh air through your vents.
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Open all the way, moving air is your friend.....install lattice panels if code requires closure. 100 + year old homes still sit on open foundations such as river rocks for a reason and have stood the test of time.
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And then someone discovered RADON!! 😲
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googling crawl space moisture will give you nightmares
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If you're not having problems why change anything?
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