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Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
This is a great question. It is also very good that the flooring installer made this recommendation. Hardwood flooring is very sensitive to moisture and humidity. Controlling the humidity in the crawlspace is very important for the home’s health, indoor air quality...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
When used properly, running your ceiling fans in conjunction with your heating or cooling system can optimize your comfort level while saving a little bit of money on energy bills. This method is best only while people are in the room; there’s no added benefit to...
Appliances, Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Dryer Vent Placement Options I suggest making a sheet metal “clean-out” box that bridges below the floor joists so the exhaust cuts through the adjacent band board. The clean out box would have an access panel or door on it to allow lint removal, could also be the...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Holy smokes Harry you asked THE $64 question. I will try to be brief. The best solution in the St. Louis area part of the country is that you totally insulate and seal up the crawl space so it stays relatively warm and dry to avoid condensation. This is done with 2”...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Build it tight & vent it right! This is the rule to build by. Seal off air infiltration from the exterior of your home, tightly, no air leaks in or out. This includes vent fan back draft dampers for kitchen – bath – dryer exhaust fans etc, window & door...
Home Improvement Library, HVAC, Venting & Circulation
Yes, insulate for comfort but the financial return on investment is low when the ductwork is in the basement. Optimal improvement comes when you seal the leaks in your metal ductwork and then insulate the ductwork. The U.S. Department of Energy show an average leakage...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Opening a window is a good idea while operating any gas appliance especially if you feel tightness in your chest, dizziness, headaches and irritability while operating an appliance. These are symptoms of carbon monoxide toxicity and can be deadly, so prudence and...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
My first choice is to use the ridge vent first to attain the minimum recommended vent area of 1.5% of attic floor area. Add pan vents as needed to reach the desired exhaust area for your roof. Ridge vents are naturally at the highest part of the roof and exhaust the...
Home Improvement Library, Painting, Venting & Circulation
Your environment seems to be moldy and unhealthy from what you describe. We suspect your 7 year old paint is bad, probably moldy, and is probably contributing to your respiratory ailments. Latex paint is smelly but not usually a really bad smell. We strongly suggest...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Yes, any simple air block material like plastic, OSB or plywood can be used to block air flow into the attic through the gable vents. The minimum recommended attic ventilation is 1.5% of your attic floor space. If you have a 1000 square foot attic floor, then the...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
I recommend a range of 30% to 50% of relative humidity for comfort and health. Below 30% relative humidity begins to dry out the nasal passages and our sinuses which can lead to more colds and flu susceptibility. If you are COPD, have allergies or have respiratory...
Home Improvement Library, Roofing, Venting & Circulation
Asphalt shingles can last from 12 – 30 years, depending on the conditions around your home. But when only a portion of the shingles have failed prematurely, it suggests that the problem is not with the roofing material but with your attic ventilation. The roof...
Home Improvement Library, Venting & Circulation
Not to worry, this is pretty regular stuff. I suggest you contact a home inspector that is a member of American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Their national website will lead you to many reputable members in St. Louis. They typically offer radon testing as part...
