Re: Residential mold/IAQ problem - suggestions sought

[Guest guest]

As per , but by depressurizing the crawl space; air does not flow against a pressure differential.

Jim H. White SSC

Re: Residential mold/IAQ problem - suggestions sought

:Actively ventilate the crawl space.On 6/22/08 10:50 AM, "sagefarmcomcast (DOT) net" <sagefarmcomcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Dear Colleagues:I am seeking additional perspective and suggestions for the following situation:Residential crawl space with mold-looking growth on the duct insulation wrapping on the heat ducts traversing this space.This building is in New England, with extruded polystyrene insulation around the perimeter of the crawl space and fiberglass insulation above the crawl space and below the living room above. There is a polyethylene sheet across the top of the sandy soil in the crawl space and the height above ground water level is a least 50 feet.I am sealing up any penetrations allowing air movement between the crawl space and the occupied living space above but I fear that this may not be sufficient to prevent a continuing low level of exposure to mold-generated chemicals for the occupants. .Any suggestions on next steps?Sincerely, --LIFE ENERGY ASSOCIATES20 Darton StreetConcord, MA 01742-5710www.LifeEnergyAssoc.com

[Guest guest]

Dear :

Thank you for the suggestion.

I have a concern though, that the introduction of warm and humid air in the

summer will yield sustained mold growth due to elevated moisture levels on the

surface of the external duct liner..

As I think more about this situation I'm leaning more to the installation of a

dehumidifier for this crawl space to lower the dew point temperature of the air

and thereby reduce future condensation. Then go in and physically cleaned the

surface of the duct wrap to remove what has grown historically.

--

LIFE ENERGY ASSOCIATES

20 Darton Street

Concord, MA 01742-5710

www.LifeEnergyAssoc.com

-------------- Original message ----------------------

> :

>

> Actively ventilate the crawl space.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Dear Colleagues:

> >

> > I am seeking additional perspective and suggestions for the following

> > situation:

> >

> > Residential crawl space with mold-looking growth on the duct insulation

> > wrapping on the heat ducts traversing this space.

> >

> > This building is in New England, with extruded polystyrene insulation around

> > the perimeter of the crawl space and fiberglass insulation above the crawl

> > space and below the living room above. There is a polyethylene sheet across

> > the top of the sandy soil in the crawl space and the height above ground

water

> > level is a least 50 feet.

> >

> > I am sealing up any penetrations allowing air movement between the crawl

space

> > and the occupied living space above but I fear that this may not be

sufficient

> > to prevent a continuing low level of exposure to mold-generated chemicals

for

> > the occupants. .

> >

> > Any suggestions on next steps?

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > LIFE ENERGY ASSOCIATES

> > 20 Darton Street

> > Concord, MA 01742-5710

> > www.LifeEnergyAssoc.com

> >

> >

> >

>

:

Actively ventilate the crawl space.

On 6/22/08 10:50 AM, " sagefarmcomcast (DOT) net " <sagefarmcomcast (DOT) net> wrote:

Dear Colleagues:

I am seeking additional perspective and suggestions for the following situation:

Residential crawl space with mold-looking growth on the duct insulation wrapping on the heat ducts traversing this space.

This building is in New England, with extruded polystyrene insulation around the perimeter of the crawl space and fiberglass insulation above the crawl space and below the living room above. There is a polyethylene sheet across the top of the sandy soil in the crawl space and the height above ground water level is a least 50 feet.

I am sealing up any penetrations allowing air movement between the crawl space and the occupied living space above but I fear that this may not be sufficient to prevent a continuing low level of exposure to mold-generated chemicals for the occupants. .

Any suggestions on next steps?

Sincerely,

--

LIFE ENERGY ASSOCIATES

20 Darton Street

Concord, MA 01742-5710

www.LifeEnergyAssoc.com