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Vapor retarder (commonly known as Vapor Barrier), is commonly used to keep moisture out of a defined area space or material. The 2006 International Building Code defines Vapor Retarder as follows: VAPOR RETARDER. A vapor-resistant material, membrane or covering such as foil, plastic sheeting or insulation facing having a permeance rating of 1 perm (5.7 ´ 10-11 kg/Pa × s × m2) or less, when tested in accordance with the dessicant method using Procedure A of ASTM E 96. Vapor retarders limit the amount of moisture vapor that passes through a material or wall assembly Vapor barrier is commonly used in crawl spaces to keep the ground moisture out of the insulating materials. In cold areas vapor barrier is applied to the WARM SIDE IN WINTER over the insulation to keep moisture from the living space from getting to the insulation and condensing as the air gets colder on the outside of the wall/floor. The building codes actually require this application in most areas. However, in crawl spaces there is usually a larger amount of moisture in the ground and most jurisdictions allow the vapor barrier material to be applied to the bottom of the insulation or crawl space side. Some jurisdictions require both sides. Remember that the newer codes require a vapor barrier on the ground in crawl spaces. IRC N1102.2.8 Crawl space walls. As an alternative to insulating floors over crawl spaces, insulation of crawl space walls when the crawl space is not vented to the outside is permitted. Crawl space wall insulation shall be permanently fastened to the wall and extend downward from the floor to the finished grade level and then vertically and/or horizontally for at least an additional 24 inches (610 mm). Exposed earth in unvented crawl space foundations shall be covered with a continuous vapor retarder. All joints of the vapor retarder shall overlap by 6 inches (152 mm) and be sealed or taped. The edges of the vapor retarder shall extend at least 6 inches (152 mm) up the stem wall and shall be attached to the stem wall. Ask your local building inspection department for advice and clarification on the best application in your area. Hope this helps! Terry NEW ANSWER To answer the question, you want to insulate the foundation of the crawlspace. Where the house meets the foundation is called the sil box. That is where 90% of the outside air is infultrating your crawlspace. Stop the problems where it starts, The foundation.(the exterior walls).

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What is a crawlspace?

A crawlspace is a type of home foundation quite common in some parts of the US, specially in the South. Houses are usually built with 3 different types of foundation: concrete slabs, basements and crawl spaces. Concrete slabs are usually placed on top of concrete footings, above grade. Basements are foundations built, or poured into dug pits, usually as deep as 8ft below grade level. Crawlspaces could be considered half way between the concrete slab and the basement. They can be build almost completely above grade, raising the house above terrain level, or half way below grade. The clearance between the floor and the ceiling of a crawl space is usually around 4 ft, so that you can only enter the area by crawling in - thus the name crawlspace. Some people also call crawlspace some service areas built between floors of a multi-level building or between the ceiling of a house and the roof known also as an attic, but the name is most often used to describe the foundation.


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There are different methods of installing radiant flooring depending on whether you prefer under floor radiant heat or an above floor system. There are many videos on YouTube that can help with your installation either way.


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In a word, no. In may words: Yes, it can, but you must understand what epoxy-based flooring actually is. If you are referring to products typically used to coat concrete garage floors, epoxy-based flooring is essentially a very resilient, thick paint (but actually not very thick at all compared to vinyl-sheet flooring or hardwood boards). Because it resists chemical staining and things like scuffing, it is ideal for a quick cosmetic improvement on hard surfaces like concrete. Concrete doesn't shift very much from temperature and moisture changes, so despite an occasional crack wherever the concrete cracks, epoxy stays where it is put when applied over concrete, if applied properly. Plywood, on the other hand, shift dramatically due to temperature and moisture changes. Even if it is impervious to moisture from above, say if vinyl is placed over it, it will absorb moisture from underneath and on the sides. Nothing can be practically done to prevent wood from seasonal shifting. With that in mind, no matter how thick epoxy is applied to a large plywood subsurface, within a year as the seasons change, every sheet of plywood will become visible and the epoxy will crack at each seam. As general rule, one shouldn't apply a hard surface to a soft (wood surface). If you are trying to cover a plywood floor inexpensively, your best options are vinyl-sheet flooring (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "linoleum"), carpet, or maybe even vinyl tiles. If you are determined to use some type of painting solution, just use acrylic-latex paint designed for outdoor decks, which are widely available at home improvement stores. It will be less expensive and will be able to shift with the seasonal changes in the wood, and also cover the grain of the wood in a more aesthetically pleasing manner. Good luck.


Which best explains why an electric toaster is considered a resistor?

A toaster uses a pair of rigid insulating sheets with nichrome wire winding back and forth across the sheet, one on each side of each slot. The nichrome wire on these sheets form very high wattage air cooled resistors, when electricity flows through these wires they glow red hot (see image above) producing the heat that toasts the bread from both sides.


How do you change a 6 wire three phase motor to a 3 wire?

The six wire motor is probably a two speed or a dual voltage motor. Look on the underside of the motor's junction box. Here is where the wiring diagram of the motor is pasted. Look on the motor's name plate to see if it is a two speed motor. There will be two sets of amps and RPM and maybe voltages. It could be that six terminals are brought out to terminal box so that it can be connected either in delta or star configuration. As stated above the name plate details would indicate the correct connection.

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Why is the wood flooring on the first floor buckling above floor joists?

There can be numerous causes for a floor to buckle over a floor joist. Flooring was not installed perpendicular to floor joist. Flooring was not allowed for proper expansion - expansion gap needed. Flooring was not properly fastened or not enough fasteners was applied. Excessive water or moisture got onto the flooring causing it to buckle - check appliances, plumbing, windows and doors for water. Damaged or cracked floor joist.


What is a crawlspace?

A crawlspace is a type of home foundation quite common in some parts of the US, specially in the South. Houses are usually built with 3 different types of foundation: concrete slabs, basements and crawl spaces. Concrete slabs are usually placed on top of concrete footings, above grade. Basements are foundations built, or poured into dug pits, usually as deep as 8ft below grade level. Crawlspaces could be considered half way between the concrete slab and the basement. They can be build almost completely above grade, raising the house above terrain level, or half way below grade. The clearance between the floor and the ceiling of a crawl space is usually around 4 ft, so that you can only enter the area by crawling in - thus the name crawlspace. Some people also call crawlspace some service areas built between floors of a multi-level building or between the ceiling of a house and the roof known also as an attic, but the name is most often used to describe the foundation.


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