From Name
Leo Moorman

Henri,
 
No, but there have seen many instances with fully sealed barriers with a
radon system were to address both radon and heavy moisture problems. They always
did solve with fully sealed barriers. Yes I usually do not bother using the
plastic that is already there because of the sand and dust on it that makes
caulk not hold well (as well as the oily layer on the black plastic). I consider
the black plastic padding that adds protection to the new radon barrier.
  
However I have to disclose that our climate is usually dry and there
may be a difference as to how much moisture there is in the air. Most of the
times in my case the moisture really came from the soil due to the geology of
the site (words like  a "stream runs through the crawlspace", which I
verified was indeed true as it turned out to be runoff water from the
mountain in spring!, or words like "we know there is a well under the house").
 
One person had changed to energy efficient windows after his first windows
had "rotted" out because of this problem. Despite these special windows he
still had to mop in the winter his main window with ten paper towels every
morning before we installed the radon system. Next winter
after the installation he wrote me a letter that it had complete
solved his moisture issue in the house and was very happy he finally got this
moisture issue udner control.
 
Leo Moorman
Radon Home Measurement and Mitigation
Fort Collins, CO
 
In a message dated 4/13/2011 7:29:27 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
radoncontrol@CS.COM writes:
Thanks all.The house has poured concrete foundation walls that
never had vents, and a builder-installed vapor barrier. I find it interesting
that the plastic is sealed high up on the walls, but the floor seams are not
sealed. After 5 years, plastic is probably too dirty/dusty to tape seams.
Customer is considering a new, sealed, cross-linked barrier, as she is
concerned about both radon and mold issues.We agree also that her
dehumidifier may not be functioning properly. I suggested a test to measure
water output from the unit, and she had the idea to shut off the radon system
for a few days and see if the crawlspace becomes less humid, so we are going
to check those out. (Just because the dehumidifier fan is running does not
mean the compressor is working.)What I was wondering was if anyone had done an
install where humidity later increased in the crawlspace as a result (It
doesn't seem logical to me.), or had seen dehumidifiers that ran constantly
but didn't do their job.
Henri BoyeaRadon Control ProductsPO Box 6263
, Hendersonville, NC 28793www.radoncontrolproducts.comph/fax (828)
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