Home Improvement Today?

Thanks for the replies, appreciate it.

Spray foam has actually been recommended to me by a few folks. But I dont think its a great fit for me. Too much electrical down there Id rather not permanently cover up. I will look into that company though. It would be good to get a real energy audit done once I knock out a few of the 'low hanging fruit' projects.

Hey Mark, no ventilation to speak of down there. The wall between the two sides of the basement is not exactly well sealed though. Including the original (I think) circa 1920s access door used before the addition. But no, no real ventilation. The poly sheet definitely helped the moisture a ton though. When I moved in I was running a dehumid almost nonstop to keep humidity in the 50-60% range. Now I barely run it all, humidity hovers right under 60%.

If I were to go with standard fiberglass, would you get faced or non faced? And I understand the vapor barrier (if faced) would actually go UP in this situation, not down?

 

I need to redo the toilets. Randomly came across this and was like who da fuk would use this? I'll be using a 100% silicone sealant like a sane person.

 

That's the thing- you never splice... or at least never outside of a junction box. Any connections should be made in the switch box, or at the lights. If you've got something else going on, its probably not right.

 

I’m not any form of authority on anything so feel free to ignore and/or reject all of what I say

our crawlspace was similar (Portland, OR) and we found a guy who specialized in this. He ripped out all the fiberglass and we cleaned up mouse evidence and installed traps. He added a sump pump and vent fan, I wired with outdoor 12/2 and a gfci breaker from the panel. Stem walls received foam board effectively making the crawlspace insulated. New vapor barrier was done, actually twice I think, once at purchase time and then for some reason it got redone after all the insulation removal. I can post photos if that’s of any value.

now the floor is uninsulated but the crawlspace itself is so while there is a temp delta, it’s not massive. Condensation and sag are no longer any concern. Apparently the next step if needed would be to add a space blanket type Mylar on the ground to further insulate the space, that would have to be cut around the posts and fit tighter than the vapor barrier. Also we should really plug the mesh vent holes during winter, something we don’t do, I bought some foam block but it didn’t get used.

redoing plywood subfloor and top flooring likely made the most difference, large gaps in the 2x6 tongue and groove allowed significant heat loss before. Then caulking up the gaps helped further.

fiberglass insulation under the floor would be my last choice, it seems to invite moisture and rodents. You really want to try to reclaim the crawlspace rather than put up barriers to defend against it.

 

If it's dry and critter free (no more access), I'd do non faced. It would be a pain to try and get faced up in there properly (paper up against the floor).

 

Back on that deck project I'm helping with. Wrapped up my part on this project today. I built/finished the stairs and stair railings and helped with all of the balusters on the lower portion of the deck (those align with the ones above). Oh and mounted the posts and installed the decking and railing parts on the upper deck. My customer did all of the other railings and balusters. The spacing is all over the place. I don't like it at all, it's way too busy looking imo. I suggested more traditional skirting (see last pic from another job), but was overruled. Oh well, customer is happy. Customer is doing the balusters on the upper deck in the near future.

 

What’s the best way to keep woodpeckers from pecking wood columns? I may try to shoot it in the morning. Even if a pellet goes through it and damages the column I still have to get up there and fill the holes it made.

 

Woodpecker is going after bugs or larvae. You need to treat wood for pests.

 

Here in Washington the woodpeckers, nut hatches, and red shafted flickers are not after bugs, they bore into peoples siding to build nests in the nice cozy attic insulation. In spring they drum on the wall to attract their mate. My favorite (sarcasm) is when the flickers will incessantly drum on our galvanized water heater exhaust pipe early Saturday mornings haha.

 

Get a owl decoy

 

Already been sprayed! No signs of bug life.

 

Already have one, I may move it up higher tomorrow.

 

So do you have 14/2 or 14/3 wire at the fan box? Basically, instead of wiring the cable from the fan light, you are wiring a new wire that matches the existing wire gauge and run that to the new can light.

 

Putting in a new kitchen. Would have been easier to just file for divorce

 

Is the crawl vented to the outside ?

 

Wow do you know if there's any larvae in it that can make it attractive to the pecker. Just read to put up wind chimes.
I'm just throwing things at a wall to see what sticks.
Sorry for your troubles.

 

Same here...getting close. Need to finish the back splash, door panel on the dishwasher and install the new outlets. And adjust those sink cabinet doors

 

Nice

 

I will crawl up there and find out now.