{"id":13788,"date":"2024-03-29T15:26:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-29T15:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=13788"},"modified":"2024-05-19T13:33:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T13:33:03","slug":"vent-wells-and-the-crawl-space-vapor-barrier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/vent-wells-and-the-crawl-space-vapor-barrier\/","title":{"rendered":"Vent Wells and the Crawl Space Vapor Barrier"},"content":{"rendered":"

We want as few steps as possible to get into the cabin from the (future) carport. But that means the ground comes up pretty close to the foundation vents. The inspector decided it is too close, so we have to add Vent Wells.<\/p>\n

We don’t need vent wells on all the vents, just on the ones at the top of the hill that are closest to the ground.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Vent Wells<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The vent is to allow air circulation. The well keeps water from flowing under the house through the vent and helps keep leaves from accumulating and blocking the vent.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Vent Wells backfilled with gravel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The guys dug out the area in front of each vent. Then they put in a vent well. They back filled the outside with dirt and filled the inside with gravel. The gravel will let the vent well drain into the footing drains.<\/p>\n

Footing Drains for the Little Pre-fab Cabin ><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
They measured first for the Crawl Space Vapor Barrier
I don’t know why, since they took the whole roll under the house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier<\/h2>\n

When they finished the vent wells, they crawled under the house and spread out the vapor barrier.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Putting a roll of 6-mil polyethylene into the crawl space to lay down a vapor barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We put a vapor barrier under the log cabin ourselves. There wasn’t one there when I bought it. But now it is required by the NC Building Code.<\/p>\n

R409.2.1 Ground vapor retarder.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A minimum 6-mil (0.15 mm) polyethylene vapor retarder or equivalent shall be installed to nominally cover all exposed earth in the crawl space, with joints lapped not less than 12 inches (305 mm). Minor pockets or wrinkles that prevent total drainage across the surface of the vapor retarder are allowed. The floor of the crawl space shall be graded so that it drains to one or more low spots. Install a drain to daylight or sump pump at each low spot. Crawl space drains shall be kept separate from roof gutter drain systems and foundation perimeter drains.<\/p>\n

Section R409 NC Building Code<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A vapor barrier really is a good idea. It keeps moisture from the ground from coming up into the house.<\/p>\n

\"\"
This is the plastic they used under the cabin for the Crawl Space Vapor Barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A vapor barrier isn’t complicated.<\/p>\n

\"\"
6-mil polyethylene for the Crawl Space Vapor Barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s just sheet plastic that keeps the water in the soil from evaporating and coming into your house.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Crawl Space Vapor Barrier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploring Under the Cabin<\/h2>\n

I crawled under the cabin to look around.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Insulated pipes under the house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The whole floor is insulated and so are all of the pipes! We really are happy with Westwood Cabins<\/strong>, www.westwoodcabins.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The cabin is attached to the foundation, the attachment is covered, insulated, trimmed and painted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So… still waiting for the water and sewer taps from the city. We were approved and we paid for them on March 4. That was over three weeks ago and seems even longer. The power company sent someone up to look at the site and take photos. There are three pedestals power can come from. It will be underground, so we don’t care.<\/p>\n

Taylor just called. A guy will be coming out to give us an estimate on gutters.\u00a0Taylor Fowler, Fowler Excavating<\/a><\/strong> has managed this whole project and kept it going.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We want as few steps as possible to get into the cabin from the (future) carport. But that means the ground comes up pretty close to the foundation vents. The inspector decided it is too close, so we have to add Vent Wells. We don’t …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-cottage"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/featured-Crawl_Space_Vapor_Barrier.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3866,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/hvac-progress\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":0},"title":"HVAC Progress","author":"Carla","date":"July 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019ve waited and waited for the HVAC guy and finally we got someone else. This has been holding things up because the ducts have to go in before the drywall. This is the ductwork for the heat pump. The new HVAC guy got right to work. He pre-assembled the pieces\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Our New House"","block_context":{"text":"Our New House","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-house\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"HVAC Progress \u2013 Project Small House","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-HVAC.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-HVAC.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-HVAC.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-HVAC.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13083,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/small-modular-cabin-construction-water\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":1},"title":"Small Modular Cabin Construction: Water","author":"Carla","date":"January 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"We got to go down to Due West and see our cabin. We took over a hundred photos, plus they gave us photos of the construction. This post is about the plumbing system construction. Cold & Hot Water Supply Detail Plumbing Isometrics and Details Westwood Cabins Creekside Manor 3016 Click\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Homes"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Homes","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/modular\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-water.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-water.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-water.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-water.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3240,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/shingles-on-the-roof\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":2},"title":"Shingles on the Roof","author":"Carla","date":"June 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The underlayment, drip edge and flashing were finished last week and the shingles were delivered Friday. The roofers started early the next morning. They were out here by 5:30 on Saturday. Roofing is hot hard work! It was so hot by 11:30, they were wrapping up. Monday they were back\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Our New House"","block_context":{"text":"Our New House","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-house\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Our Roof Has Shingles \u2013 Building our Schumacher Home \u2013 Project Small House","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/featured_image-roof-2.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/featured_image-roof-2.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/featured_image-roof-2.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/featured_image-roof-2.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13212,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/small-modular-cabin-construction-hvac\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":3},"title":"Small Modular Cabin Construction: HVAC","author":"Carla","date":"January 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The HVAC Plan includes the mini-split heat pump head units (the inside part) and the condenser (the outside part). Plus it includes the bathroom exhaust fan, range hood vent and dryer vent. Mini-split Heat Pump The cabin has two Samsung Quantum Wall Mounted Heat Pump units with Wi-Fi supported by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Modular Cabin"","block_context":{"text":"New Modular Cabin","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-cottage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-construction.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-construction.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-construction.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-construction.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4150,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/insulation\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":4},"title":"Insulation","author":"Carla","date":"August 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"They installed the insulation today. They put R-15 in the walls and R-38 in the ceiling. What does R mean? \u201cR\u201d Means Resistance to Heat Flow The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. \u00a0The attic has thicker insulation because more heat is lost through the ceiling than the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Our New House"","block_context":{"text":"Our New House","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-house\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Insulation \u2013 Project Small House","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-insulation.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-insulation.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-insulation.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/featured_image-insulation.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7796,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/vented-or-non-vented-built-in-gas-fireplaces\/","url_meta":{"origin":13788,"position":5},"title":"Vented or Non-Vented Built-in Gas Fireplaces","author":"Carla","date":"August 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"We bought an antique mantel to put into our new house. We want to make the best choice for a gas fireplace to go in it. Vented or Non-Vented At first it seems like a non-vented fireplace might be better. They say they have up to 99.9% efficiency. Vented gas\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Log Cabins"","block_context":{"text":"Log Cabins","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/log-cabin\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/featured-vented-or-non-vented-built-in-gas-fireplaces.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/featured-vented-or-non-vented-built-in-gas-fireplaces.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/featured-vented-or-non-vented-built-in-gas-fireplaces.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/featured-vented-or-non-vented-built-in-gas-fireplaces.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13788"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14099,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13788\/revisions\/14099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}