Comments on: Attic and Basement Frequently Asked Questions

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:37:12 +0000

Ron,
Sounds like you have a mold problem somewhere that needs correcting. You might want to consider adding an air exchanger that lets in fresh air from outside without losing your heat or cool.

By: Ron Santosucci

Ron Santosucci — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:44:54 +0000

I built my SIP (structural insulated panel) home in NH,in 2005, with a full foundation,(6 feet below grade). I have no leaks in the basement, as I did install a perimeter drain after they poured the foundation. I can smell a musty odor when I enter the home, both upstairs, and down in the basement. In the Summer, the pipes in basement sweat a lot.I am in the proces of insulating all the pipes in the basement. Even if I run a dehumidifier, I can still smell the odor. House is quite “tight”, along with energy efficient windows. Did I “overkill”, and what can I do?

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:08:01 +0000

Hi Guy,
The most efficient system is to combine soffit vents with a ridge vent (using the natural flow of hot air rising) or soffit vents with a power vent, but not to use all three together. Using a power vent with a ridge vent disrupts the natural air flow of cool air coming in the soffit vent, rising, and going out the ridge vent. When you add a power vent to an attic that has a ridge vent, it tends to reverse the air flow and pull air (and possibly rain) in through the ridge vent.

By: guy robinson

guy robinson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:56:28 +0000

my home was built in 2006 . the roof has ridge vents. would i be helping any thing,like my energy costs or the life of the roof shingles by having power vent fans installed ? guy robinson

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:15:36 +0000

John,
Assuming the insulation (fiberglass?) has a facing that is stapled to the studs, I wouldn’t think a barrier behind it is necessary.

By: John

John — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:11:24 +0000

Thanks Ben,its the best news I have so far. One more question. Should I place a film barrier behind the Insulation in order to help keep it in place?

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:37:56 +0000

Hi John,
I don’t see a problem with having a gap behind the insulation. If anything it would be a good thing since the air gap would have an additional insulation factor and if there was any condensation on the wall it wouldn’t soak into the insualtion.

By: John

John — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:33:27 +0000

My basement framing was installed 9″ away from the wall. I want to finish the basement but Im not sure if it is wise to install insualtion as it wont be flush against the wall.Any suggestions?

By: tom Johnson

tom Johnson — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:14:02 +0000

I have basically a flat roof in Florida with no attic crawl space. I want to insulate and they told me it could be done through the fascia board by drilling 4 inch diameter circles in the fascia. Then they would insert a 3 inch pipe and blow insulation all through the house in each roof trust cavity. I went to home depot and they only had 3 inch round vents for the fascia. Could you tell me where I could get about 80 of the 4 inch diameter round vents for my fascia so I can insulate. Thank you

By: Don Harbison

Don Harbison — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:29:55 +0000

Hi, I have a Home (built new in 2000), that has an exposed North Basement wall (8 ft tall x 28 ft wide). In the colder days of Winter we have a problem with that wall sweating. I think it needs to be sealed on the outside. Can you give me directions for best way to do this or how do I fix the Problem? Thanks Don