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11-17-2010, 07:44 AM #1
Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Found a couple of small puddles in a crawl space yesterday. No apparent source of moisture, but there were a number of white square crystals of various sizes in the puddles. Can't tell if they were formed in the liquid (they were not found in the dry areas) or if they are some form of rodent control.
Has anyone seen anything like this or might have some help with identification?
I wish the pictures were a little clearer, it was near the end of a long day.
Thanks
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11-17-2010, 09:00 AM #2
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
As Paul Sr. would say; I have no ideer. Did you taste them?
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11-17-2010, 09:18 AM #3
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Was this close to the crawl space access? and do they have a water softener? I've seen people around here store there excess water softer tablets in the crawl spaces around here, Just a thought...
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11-17-2010, 09:39 AM #4
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Strange place for a meth lab, but not surprising.
Not telling what the rats have been up to. A chemical analysis is the only way to solve this one, IMO.
John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
www.allsafehome.ca
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11-17-2010, 10:11 AM #5
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
There was some distance between the crawl space access and the puddles. The crystals were hard and not brittle. And there were refrigerant lines running above (for the air conditioner).
And no water softener in the house.
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11-17-2010, 04:09 PM #6
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Might be those moisture (and musty smell) absorbing crystals, supposed to use them in a bucket, like a large dessicate, perhaps a bucket spilled. They swell up quite large as they absorb water. Perhaps the lines aren't well insulated and these puddles are condensation, or there is a condensation drain/pan "issue", or no drip loop for where they enter the crawlspace wall and rain, etc. is running along the insulation or between the refrigerant line and the insulation and this is the point or seam where same leaks/drains out.
The reverse of the dessicate crystals is used in some potting soils and in soil-less growing media (moisture holding crystals) these release moisture rather than bind it more permanently. "Water crystals" is one such name, a dry ounce of these things can absorb up to a gallon of water.
Might also be algacide or corrosion inhibitor crystals broke free from the sachet/packet (sometimes used in safe pans).
Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 11-17-2010 at 04:19 PM.
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11-17-2010, 06:22 PM #7
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11-17-2010, 07:04 PM #8
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
It sure looks like some kind of formed material. The second picture even more
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11-17-2010, 09:04 PM #9
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Yeah, they got puddles in the lumber yard, but why would anybody want them?
Thanks, James. We are getting somewhere now. I relooked the OP's pic and see white specks, possibly lime, alright, but we needed the chemical name to find the crystal. That's a crawlspace chemistry lab. Check this pic.
Last edited by John Kogel; 11-17-2010 at 09:13 PM.
John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
www.allsafehome.ca
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11-18-2010, 07:56 AM #10
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
I was referring to Polyacrylamides, Sodium polyacrylates, and flocking agents (such as crystals or granuals used for private water treatment systems other than regular "salt" based); and how prepared for first application, including those pellets and sachets prepared for safe pans, etc., some with corrosion inhibitors, some with biocides, some with both.
If you'll note the perimeter of the area above the main "water line" contains clear media in a characteristic presentation.
As far as the rodent activity, etc. by keeping collections of liquid water bound molecularly it would eliminate it as a source of drinking water to the rodents (and WDI's as well).
I am curious as to the background - are we looking at a recycled pool liner?
Last edited by H.G. Watson, Sr.; 11-18-2010 at 08:14 AM.
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11-18-2010, 11:20 AM #11
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Maybe those are sugar crystals, and maybe someone using the toilet upstairs is a diabetic. :O
John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
www.allsafehome.ca
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11-18-2010, 06:39 PM #12
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
DYLITHIUM CRYSTALS.
FUEL FOR THE USS ENTERPRISE.
THAT'S WHAT CAPTAIN KIRK WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR.
FOR MAX WARP SPEED.
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11-19-2010, 09:46 AM #13
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11-19-2010, 09:49 AM #14
Re: Square Crystals in Crawl Space Puddles
Aiiee captain! I'm givin er all she's got but that's all there is on impulse power! We gotta harvest them crystals from the crawl or were done fer!
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