ventilation with system

[Skeeter]

I am interested in how to account for potential gas leaks. It seems that if there was an accidental leak your system would collect the gas at dangerous levels, instead of allowing it to vent out. Also the same for radon; it even seems that if you are in a low radon area eventually it could build up to dangerous levels..

After sealing a crawlspace do you recommend insulating along hte crawlspace walls or insulating the floor from below?

[Crawl Space MD]

Skeeter,
Thank you for the question(s). When you asked about gas leaks I assumed you meant carbon monoxide. I would have a monitor installed in your home(I have multiple monitors in mine) The systems would not "collect" the gas, as it will disipate through the ground,building materials, etc. As for radon, CleanSpace is the first step in radon mitigation. You will need a vapor barrier for radon, and CleanSpace would be a great start. To make the system active you would need a stand pipe and a fan installed with the piping installed to your highest eave. Radon also has a half life, @ every 4.5 days it levels are diminshed by 1/2. etc. We do not install insulation, but most building scientists are saying to install insulation on the walls. It really depends if you are in a heating or cooling climate.
Thank you.
MD

[Skeeter]

Good response, and I thank you. I have two issues, one with each response:

I am more worried about methane than carbon monoxide (e.g. natural gas, not the combustible products from it). I have natural gas pipes for my appliances running in the crawl space; various events (e.g. seismic) can cause leaks that I fear would accumulate in a sealed crawlspace. Are there methane sensors? I understand that sulfur is put into methane/natural gas to help you detect it, but if I am away for 10 hours on a work day while the methane (not carbon monoxide) is leaking into the sealed crawlspace, there could be a potentially explosive situation in a very sealed crawlspace. How does the system account for this?

My second issue/question is more for clarification. I believe in Olympia WA I am in a heating climate -- you stated that "most building scientists are saying to install insulation on the walls. It really depends if you are in a heating or cooling climate..." just for clarification, would they recommend under the floor in a heating environment and on the (crawlspace) walls for a cooling environment, or vice-versa?

Thanks again for your replies, they are very helpful

[spw]

I found no answer to this question- so I'm posting it again in quotes... Indeed HOW do you deal with gas leaks ? A vented crawlspace will easily take care of that- but this thing can just build up... do you always suggest a fan combination ? how about natural gas sensors ?

posted by Skeeter
Junior Member

Registered: Dec 2004
Location: WA
Posts: 3

"Good response, and I thank you. I have two issues, one with each response:

I am more worried about methane than carbon monoxide (e.g. natural gas, not the combustible products from it). I have natural gas pipes for my appliances running in the crawl space; various events (e.g. seismic) can cause leaks that I fear would accumulate in a sealed crawlspace. Are there methane sensors? I understand that sulfur is put into methane/natural gas to help you detect it, but if I am away for 10 hours on a work day while the methane (not carbon monoxide) is leaking into the sealed crawlspace, there could be a potentially explosive situation in a very sealed crawlspace. How does the system account for this?

My second issue/question is more for clarification. I believe in Olympia WA I am in a heating climate -- you stated that "most building scientists are saying to install insulation on the walls. It really depends if you are in a heating or cooling climate..." just for clarification, would they recommend under the floor in a heating environment and on the (crawlspace) walls for a cooling environment, or vice-versa?

Thanks again for your replies, they are very helpful"

[Mark]

Please remember that our expertise is solving moisture problems in damp and wet crawl spaces. I to have natural gas pipes in my home which has a basement and no ventalation to the outside.
By sealing the walls, floor and closing vents in a crawlspace only creates the same conditions that are found in millions of homes all across the USA.

To be honest our system does not account for a natural gas leak nor does any other building component in your home. Remember about 40% of the air in a basement or crawlspace ends up in the main living area, this would negate the idea of a build up.

However if you are concerned about seismic events that can cause gas leaks or leaks in general I would recommend contacting your local gas company for information about sensors or emergency shut off valves. This is obviously a great concern and potential danger whether you have the CleanSpace system or not.

In a heating climate most building scientist recommend insulating the walls.

Thanks
Basement Systems