Thanks for this video. I've been trying to find the source of a smell in my house for six months. It smells the worst when it's very hot out, and is very detectable if the house gets above 80 degrees. A few months ago, a company told me about the 'stack effect', telling me that crawl space air is moving up through the house and out through the attic, so I've been focusing on the crawl space ever since as the possible source of the smell. Now you're telling me that it's the opposite in the summer, that it's the attic air that comes down through the house. The smell might be coming from the attic, which is a possibility I haven't even thought about because I was told that air moves up through the house from the crawl space.
I wish more contractors were up on the current best practices in building sciences. It's obvious your're a follower of Dr. Joe Lstiburek. He came to my work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to give a seminar on a many of the topics you discuss in this video. I was surprised how many of the attendees worked in unrelated fields, like nanosciences, physics, and material science. I think he has a big reputation in the science community so draws a lot of interest. It could be that many Berkeley scientists tend to be curious about how their own house works too.
To all the folks out there, one thing that needs to get mentioned here for a really tight envelop, simply subscribing and smashing the like button on this video is going to dramatically make your life better, throw in a bell notification and you've got a bomber proof weatherization plan on your hands.
Thank you so much for all your content. Without you I would have no idea how to fix my home. I have seen you use foam board in the crawl space, but I have not seen you use spray foam around the rim joists (only in the sealing of off vent openings). Will you talk or show a little more about that please? Thank you
Thanks for your support! Check out the following videos we have done about rim joist insulation: ruclips.net/video/Zp2Raj1EytU/видео.html ruclips.net/video/N6yE33FT8Pw/видео.html ruclips.net/video/OCFXxq1m3lE/видео.html
Michael I have two questions sir...I have a modular home with an unfinished second floor-working on air sealing. Could I send you a picture of a specific situation I have regarding your piece on exterior wall/roof area junction? The second question is, in order for me to access some top plates and 2nd floor rim joist, can lights, I need to pull up sub floor that was laid down. How would you recommend doing that? It doesn’t butt up to the roofline, but some vertical studs that look like gigantic knee walls.
So my house has that tile ceiling below the attic and im going to rip it out probably and put up vapour barrior, how would you go about air ceiling in that situation
Great question. Sealing the vents should minimize the stack effect, but it will not stop it completely. And kind of air sealing will help lower the amount of air getting up into the living space.
Thanks for this video. I've been trying to find the source of a smell in my house for six months. It smells the worst when it's very hot out, and is very detectable if the house gets above 80 degrees. A few months ago, a company told me about the 'stack effect', telling me that crawl space air is moving up through the house and out through the attic, so I've been focusing on the crawl space ever since as the possible source of the smell. Now you're telling me that it's the opposite in the summer, that it's the attic air that comes down through the house. The smell might be coming from the attic, which is a possibility I haven't even thought about because I was told that air moves up through the house from the crawl space.
Thanks for your input this is a great comment
I wish more contractors were up on the current best practices in building sciences. It's obvious your're a follower of Dr. Joe Lstiburek. He came to my work at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to give a seminar on a many of the topics you discuss in this video. I was surprised how many of the attendees worked in unrelated fields, like nanosciences, physics, and material science. I think he has a big reputation in the science community so draws a lot of interest. It could be that many Berkeley scientists tend to be curious about how their own house works too.
Thank you for the comment!
Michael, Great information. You provide excellent information on all your videos. Thanks
Thank you so much for your support!
Michael, I can’t thank you enough for the information and videos. Well done, my friend!
The biggest trouble spots in my attic are drop soffits (kitchens/bathrooms) and knee walls (vaulted ceilings).
Air sealing on a garage wall is important to keep out those nasty gases from cars and any thing else you might have stored in there.
Very true!
To all the folks out there, one thing that needs to get mentioned here for a really tight envelop, simply subscribing and smashing the like button on this video is going to dramatically make your life better, throw in a bell notification and you've got a bomber proof weatherization plan on your hands.
Thanks! 😍
Thank you so much for all your content. Without you I would have no idea how to fix my home. I have seen you use foam board in the crawl space, but I have not seen you use spray foam around the rim joists (only in the sealing of off vent openings). Will you talk or show a little more about that please? Thank you
Thanks for your support! Check out the following videos we have done about rim joist insulation:
ruclips.net/video/Zp2Raj1EytU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/N6yE33FT8Pw/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/OCFXxq1m3lE/видео.html
I wish you worked In the state of Florida. I would have gone with your company from the get go rather than the company I used
We do hope they did good work!
Michael I have two questions sir...I have a modular home with an unfinished second floor-working on air sealing. Could I send you a picture of a specific situation I have regarding your piece on exterior wall/roof area junction?
The second question is, in order for me to access some top plates and 2nd floor rim joist, can lights, I need to pull up sub floor that was laid down. How would you recommend doing that? It doesn’t butt up to the roofline, but some vertical studs that look like gigantic knee walls.
So my house has that tile ceiling below the attic and im going to rip it out probably and put up vapour barrior, how would you go about air ceiling in that situation
What’s happens to the stack effect with an encapsulated crawl? Is the air forced back up towards the living?
Great question. Sealing the vents should minimize the stack effect, but it will not stop it completely. And kind of air sealing will help lower the amount of air getting up into the living space.
I need my attic sealed, crawl space encapsulated, and new windows all the way around. 🤔
not sure if you are in our area, but take it one step at a time
I agree, one step at a time. Start with the attic first then move to the crawl space and leave the windows for last.