Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair 1 Apr 30, 2010 7:30 pm I had a quote for 240V under-floor fans ($2300) This is just for installation of 2 fans. I'm told it's 2 people working 1/2 a day. I'm no expert but this seems ridiculously expensive and there is no guarantee they will cure the moisture problem. How can the fans be so expensive? Re: 240 v fans for under floor 2May 01, 2010 8:18 am What trade is installing the fans? If it is a total of one day labour then get some more quotes! Who advised you to put the fans in and have you identified where the moisture is coming from? Builders are people too.... Re: 240 v fans for under floor 3May 01, 2010 10:22 am I don't know what trade they are. They are a registered company that's all I know. I have been searching for answers for the last 2 1/2 years....many tradesmen and handymen have looked at the problem and have usually said the moisture is coming from the ground (sloping block, poor drainage and lack of space under the joists between them and the dirt. The place where it is particularly bad is in the dining room around the old fire place that is now disused. I certainly will get some more quotes. Re: 240 v fans for under floor 4May 01, 2010 10:39 pm Sometimes these problems are beyond the expertise of tradesmen and handymen as there is most likely either a drainage issue or a soil issue and this is something that an engineer really should be advising on. If you are in Melbourne I can recommend someone for you to talk to but you could easily go around in circles for another two years and spend thousands of dollars and still have a problem without more professional help and advice. Builders are people too.... Re: 240 v fans for under floor 5May 01, 2010 10:51 pm Hi Builda, thanks for your advice. Unfortunately I'm located in sydney (rising damp capital). I'm wondering if the chimney could be making things worse. I think a builder with some knowledge of these old chimneys could help. Re: 240 v fans for under floor 6May 01, 2010 11:11 pm If it is a rising damp issue then that may be an entirely different solution. You can usually get engineers etc to come and visit for an opinion - it sounds like you have had the run around. You need a geotechnical engineer if there is a soil problem and if there is a problem then he may recommend a structural engineer. If rising damp then there should be heaps of them in the yellow pages but that is probably where you have already been! Builders are people too.... Re: 240 v fans for under floor 7May 02, 2010 9:54 am Most of the houses in my street have the rising damp problem. The houses are on a slope and built very close to the ground. There is only a metre between the houses and each house has access on one side only. I h ave been advised that a drainage pit should be dug around the perimeter with gravel and ag-pipe backfill. I can only do this on one side because it is my neighbour's concrete path. I think the fans are the only options left. Re: 240 v fans for under floor 8May 02, 2010 2:37 pm Have you treated the rising damp above ground level as there are remedial treatments available? I am not sure about the fans as rising damp is a water issue from moisture in the soil that gets drawn up the brickwork as it is porous. All fans would do is dry the surface but the water pressure that draws the moisture upwards will still be there. Just the same, if you are comfortable with the advice then give it a go but for myself I am very skeptical without a bit more information. If you have any professional reports on the problem then I would be happy to look at them if that was any help. Builders are people too.... Re: 240 v fans for under floor 9May 03, 2010 12:23 am Yes, I have had the damp course replaced along the wall that divides the kitchen and dining rooms. The walls seem to be ok since then. The humid environment from the sub soil is condensing on the joists and then is absorbed by the kauri pine floor. The joists have been packed with aluminium flashing but the bearers are still resting on the damp masonry. CDC Housing Code 3 When to apply Floor Area external face of wall vs Gross Floor Area internal face of wall. Reading thru CDC Housing Code 3, lets take a lot 915sqm.… 0 16956 isn't a garage level with the rest of the house a given? pretty sure they 'came around' long time ago. if you have a flat block, the garage is usually level with the rest… 1 17784 |