Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Sweating ducts in crawl

    The temp here was between 85-95 today. Humidity 70% + Dewpoint 70 degrees.

    Crawlspace had a vapor barrier over entire area. Foundation vents open. Flexduct was not sweating, it was raining. There were puddles on the vapor barrier. There was the "M" word on some of the floor joists right over the sweating ducts.

    Otherwise the crawl was dry and lovely. No water marks on foundation walls, no effervesence.

    There is a raging debate about the dryness of crawlspaces. I understand the current thinking is insulate, seal and condition.

    I am wondering if there is more going on here than high humidity and working A/C ducts.

    I know we don't provide solutions, only problems but what are some of the potential solutions to this problem.

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1
    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Closed crawlspace design.


  3. #3
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Air is more than likely leaking inbetween the outer cover and the insulation. The duct connections are more than likely not sealed properly. Also I did not see crawl space ventilation. Even if there is I always recommend a crawl space ventilation fan.


  4. #4
    Ted Menelly's Avatar
    Ted Menelly Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Also if you think about the ducts in the attic in the winter when the heat is on or any other condition. If the ducts are sealed properly at the connections you will never see them wet at the outer covering. I found this in one attic in Miami Florida and that turned out to be the case. There was also minimum attic ventilation.


  5. #5
    Ron Bibler's Avatar
    Ron Bibler Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    That looks like a fungus infection on the 2X4 in the one photo not a mold.

    That sub-structure need some ventilation.

    I would get that plastic out of the sub-area. and expose the soil to a new ventilation system with lots of air.

    Thats been my approch to sub-areas. I like the soil exposed to air
    and vent to the exterior. this has always worked for me.
    move the moisture out. the plastic traps the moisture and the soil never get any air and then you get water on top of the plastic. what a mess.

    Best

    Ron

    Last edited by Ron Bibler; 06-05-2008 at 10:08 PM.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey View Post
    The temp here was between 85-95 today. Humidity 70% + Dewpoint 70 degrees.

    Crawlspace had a vapor barrier over entire area. Foundation vents open. Flexduct was not sweating, it was raining. There were puddles on the vapor barrier. There was the "M" word on some of the floor joists right over the sweating ducts.

    Otherwise the crawl was dry and lovely. No water marks on foundation walls, no effervesence.

    There is a raging debate about the dryness of crawlspaces. I understand the current thinking is insulate, seal and condition.

    I am wondering if there is more going on here than high humidity and working A/C ducts.

    I know we don't provide solutions, only problems but what are some of the potential solutions to this problem.

    I would close those vents to the crawlspace.

    Open vents allow moist warm air to enter crawspace and condense on those AC supply ducts and drip/pond on the flooring vapour barrier.

    Just my thoughts from a different angle/region.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    112

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Bruce,
    Had a similar situation here in Charlotte area (Waxhaw, NC) just today.
    Part of my situation was caused by the footprint design (two rectangular areas with one common corner) and the inability for there to be good "cross" ventilation.

    I had "dead zones" that simply had little-to-no air movement, some areas of the stemwall foundation that had no vents (along rear wall where deck was attached), and some areas that were so low to the ground that the clearance of the drop girders and ductwork prohibited good movement of air.

    Solution IMO (but deferred to specialist):
    #1 Create a sealed crawl space. The irregular layout of this specific CS and the low/blocked areas make it hard to improve.

    #2 If costs are too prohibitive (not my call), then first try installation of 1 - 3 industrial dehumidifiers set on humidistats (not talking foundation vent fans), have complete overlapping ground vapor retardant, except maybe under supply plenum or trunks (prevents ponding of any dripping that does occur), insulate condensate line (at least up close to evaporator coil), and re-check after several weeks.

    Dave


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Muncie, Indiana
    Posts
    79

    Talking Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    IMHO I believe the closing of the crawl vents and completion of the moisture barrier will reduce the condensation seen in these pictures. The moisture barrier should be extended all the way to and even up the foundation wall a few inches to provide a complete barrier. The foundation vents are probably the ones that open when they get hot. Moisture in the air is moving to the cooler space and these vents are operating opposite of this fact. The only other thing I would check is for leakage along the plenum. I find leaks at the plenum connections will provide conditioned air and add to the condensation levels. Sealing these connections will improve efficiency and reduce moisture levels.
    I realize that different regions may require different tactics, but still believe opening a crawl and ventilating is a mistake. I have seen the results of foundation vents allowing the moisture in, combined with poor control of the ground water vapor.


  9. #9
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    The biggest problem I see with sweating ducts is a HVAC system that is not performing properly and is over-cooling the ductwork. I would suggest that the unit be serviced to make sure the temperature of the air leaving the A/C coil to not too low and to make sure the air flow is not too low.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    James, I married an Irish woman, everything is over cooled! I live in a meat locker.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    Posts
    1,074

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Closing the foundation vents during the humid summer months usually solves it. Tried and trued by me. Crawl stays at a constant temp and moist air is not introduced. And no the air doesn't become stagnant unless you have moisture/water intrusion through foundation.

    Different areas call for different methods. Here in the amazon of NC we need closed vents.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  12. #12
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Another thing is the R value of the duct work. The lower the R value the more it is going to sweat. The worst duct in my area is the old gray vinyl which I believe is has a R value of 1.5. It splits under the heat in the attic and sweats and molds in the crawl.


  13. #13
    Robert Olson's Avatar
    Robert Olson Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Lose the vapor barrier or install power vents. Water will condense on a surface that is colder than its dewpoint, and many metal ducts have an exterior temperature below the dewpoint in a humid climate like yours. Suggest insulating the crawlspace walls so outside temperatures don't bleed through brick if the owner wants the barrier to remain but the crawlspace air should be moving around, especially with a high dewpoint.


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Olson View Post
    Lose the vapor barrier or install power vents. Water will condense on a surface that is colder than its dewpoint, and many metal ducts have an exterior temperature below the dewpoint in a humid climate like yours. Suggest insulating the crawlspace walls so outside temperatures don't bleed through brick if the owner wants the barrier to remain but the crawlspace air should be moving around, especially with a high dewpoint.
    I'm sure he has already given a recommendation, this thread is almost a year old.

    A crawlspace needs a vapor barrier and you do not want to put fans sucking humid air into a crawlspace. Doing either one or both will only compound the problems if you do so.

    This website has a tremendious amount of information on crawlspaces in the South & Southeast
    Advanced Energy

    Last edited by Scott Patterson; 03-20-2009 at 01:58 PM.
    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  15. #15
    Brad Borden's Avatar
    Brad Borden Guest

    Default Re: Sweating ducts in crawl

    From experience we used to install the foundation fans with a humidistat control and install a vapor barrier. After a year we would do our annual inspection and the problem seamed worse.
    We now install a 100% vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier (vents are to stay closed). Now on our annual inspection the moisture levels are in the normal range of 12-15%.
    The thinking of bringing hot air on cool ducts will not fix the problem only make it worse.
    Yes, we had to eat a little crow and remove all the vent fan crap and do it the right way. We now are known in our area for our moisture control program and we give a written warranty. No call backs yet and we have been doing it this way for the last 4 years.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •