Question:

We have a 20 x 14 family room that once was a breezeway. The crawl space underneath is about 30" high. I have insulated the walls with styrofoam and polyed the floor and taped. I have put a hot air duct into the space. It is then closed up fairly tight or as tight as an old house foundation can be. In the basement I have a door to this crawl space. My friend is suggestiung I keep it open to get the air circulating. However I get a musty smell that I can't stand. Is there another way to heat that area and vent it out so that smell goes away? Could I use lime or some other product to get rid of the smell? What about an dryer type vent that only opens out when the pressure builds...try to push out that smelly air? In the summer do I venmilate that area with a vent at either end? Thanks, I am getting pretty frustrated trying to find a solution.

Answer:

The way to properly insulate that area would be to spray a product like Icynene to the open joist spaces under the floor and the perimeter walls and headers this will ensure a properly air sealed space so no cold air can enter at the same time have the duct that is supplying heat or cooling to the room encapsulated with Icynene as well. Keep the vapor barrier over the dirt floor to help control moisture. He mustiness will be not as much as an issue because once that area is sealed with Icynene there would be now reason to keep the area open. Sam Marrello Comfort Insulation 613-226-9912

Answered By: Sam Marrello

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