Richard Moore Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 1921 home. Found this on an exterior wall in the kitchen just above the countertop. Nothing at the actual exterior. I could see wall void behind it so probably not a plumbing thingy. Both sides are slotted. Any ideas? Click to Enlarge 62.54 KB Click to Enlarge 38.74 KB
hausdok Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Hi, My first thought was an air gap. If you can see the wall void behind it, is it possible this is where there used to be an air gap an this is some kind of bezel that was left behind? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
Richard Moore Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Posted February 27, 2009 Anything is possible but, peering through the hole, it just didn't look like plumbing. I was thinking more along the lines of a wall mounted pencil sharpener mount??? No big deal as it's definitley not still in use. We (clients, me, etc) were all just curious. Same house...how not to hang heating duct in a crawl. Live & FUBAR KT!!! (I know about the insulation!) Click to Enlarge 58.56 KB
hausdok Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Did you tell them to flip that batting? OT - OF!!! M.
Richard Moore Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Posted February 27, 2009 (I know about the insulation!) Yep! I was actually referring to that, but duct insulation also.
Darren Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Did you tell them to flip that batting? OT - OF!!! M. I attended a seminar in December where the structural engineer stated he 'requires' the vapor barriers in crawlspaces to face the crawl. His point was, the moisture is always in the crawlspace, he wants to keep it out of the insulation.
Chad Fabry Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 His point was, the moisture is always in the crawlspace, he wants to keep it out of the insulation. That'll work awesome in Dallas. Here in the North East, it's a recipe for dank and moldy. Heat moves to cold. Folks can't seem to get a grip on that.
Neal Lewis Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Darren, what did the engineer have to say about the WARNING! printed on the kraft paper about being flammable and must be covered, etc?
Rocon Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Code requires the facing to be away from concealed spaces. I think I saw one of these in my grandmothers house when I was young. It is a telephone cennection. The male end has a large diameter center prong circled with pins.
Scottpat Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 1921 home. Found this on an exterior wall in the kitchen just above the countertop. Nothing at the actual exterior. I could see wall void behind it so probably not a plumbing thingy. Both sides are slotted. Any ideas? Click to Enlarge 62.54 KB Click to Enlarge 38.74 KB Built-in pasta machine?
Darren Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Darren, what did the engineer have to say about the WARNING! printed on the kraft paper about being flammable and must be covered, etc? Maybe he specs out foil faced, who knows. He stated something about the moisture being retained in the insulation; that is what causes most of the sagging, falling insulation we see. Let me ask you this, aren't most crawlspaces damp? If you think about it, it's not a terrible theory (and don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger). FYI- the seminar was titled: Structural Problems and Concerns- The speakers name was Russel E. Daniels, P.E. (out of PA).
hausdok Posted February 27, 2009 Report Posted February 27, 2009 Let me ask you this, aren't most crawlspaces damp? If you think about it, it's not a terrible theory. Nope, they aren't damp when they're properly ventilated and a cap sheet's been properly installed over the soil. In fact, I usually don't even find elevated moisture in the floor deck or platform framing unless one or both of those issues has been screwed up. With a proper cap sheet on the soil, you'll get more vapor diffusion moving through the floors into the area above the insulation than you will from what escapes the barrier. The paper facing has a black emulsion coating the side of the paper that you can't see; that acts like a vapor barrier. Once warm interior moisture-laden air moves through the floor deck it tries to continue moving toward that cooler/dryer crawl. Then that moisture encounters that asphalt-treated paper barrier and is slowed or stopped - it then cools to dewpoint and condenses in the insulation. Before too long, the floor above starts to grow whiskers or develops leopard spots (Psst,...M word). Facing and insulation snug against the underside of the floor - not flush with the bottom of the joists with an air gap above, good ventilation and a properly applied barrier. If you've got that, the likelihood of serious issues (anywhere except the seriously humid mid-eastern and southeastern states - or anywhere else where it's seriously humid) is almost nil. Go to the Building Science site and download a copy of Dr. Joe's Moisture Control Handbook. Come to think of it, check our links library first; I think we've got a link directly to it in there. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
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