Comments on: Myth: A House Needs to Breathe

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:48:43 +0000

william:
william: If you treat the exterior of the stone walls, you not only stop water from getting in, you also stopping it from getting out, thus cutting off a drying channel. Unless you're absolutely certain that no water gets into the walls from the ground, the roof, or from indoors, you're best not doing it.

mindbird: Yep.

xrx: Location not only plays a role, it's the determining factor. If you live in a mild, Mediterranean type climate, that's fine. If you live in a cold climate or a hot climate or a humid climate, leaving the house open will be a problem. How're you going to like that draft when it's -20° C (-4° F) outside?

By: xrx

xrx — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:19:45 +0000

Νοt sure
Νοt sure what a super tight house is, but from personal experience a house that can open up and allows for an air draft to get through, is in no need for any electronic device (ceiling fan, air-conditioning etc) . Of course location plays a role here as well as the house's orientation, still it is the best way

By: mindbird

mindbird — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:56:22 +0000

That silicon spray sounds
That silicon spray sounds like a bad idea. Aren't you sealing the moisture in?

By: william

william — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:26:09 +0000

Hi
I
Hi
I live in a 400 year old house in France. I am from New Zealand and want to spray silicon onto the exposed external stone walls to seal them to stop the moisture getting in. My wife is English and maintains that the walls need to breath. Now I am to slow so I stood and watched the walls but nothing moved. Even after a couple of beers still nothing. So my question is silicon spray or not?

Regards

By: Cameron Taylor

Cameron Taylor — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 02:24:55 +0000

I just love it when a
I just love it when a commentator lambasts the author but offers no substance to his bombast. Allison clearly gave three components that are to this day still wide open to be debunked by Mr. Davis or anyone else.

I for one find nothing wrong with his three points, but let's look at them anyway:

* People need to breathe - yep. Hard to debunk that one, unless you prefer death to breathing.

* Don't mix combustion air and people air - sure, if you're not fond of breathing in byproducts of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, that's a really good idea.

* Houses need to be able to dry out - nothing wrong with this statement. Elevated interior humidity levels, because people occupying the interior of a house, whether or not it is airtight, create moisture (along with refrigerators, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry equipment). Leaky houses don't suffer from high indoor humidity levels due to lack of ventilation. Tight homes do. Not only does a house need controlled ventilation and humidity control, doing so also assures wall cavities can dry to the interior in humid summer climates.

Any misinformation in the above? Feel free to point it out, and counter with rational arguments.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:13:07 +0000

Jon D.
Jon D. Thanks for your comment, Jon. Unfortunately, you've said nothing of use here. If I have indeed contradicted myself three times, as you claim, what are those contradictions? If this is indeed misinformation, as you claim, how is that true?

Please tell me, sir. I'd like a chance to respond because I don't think you really have anything substantial.

By: Jon Davis

Jon Davis — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:02:36 +0000

You’re full of it pal – you
You’re full of it pal – you contadict yourself three times in the first few paragraphs. Misinformation (Like Yours) Hurts people.