Moisture measurement 1960s house

[johlin8]

We live in a single-story house, without a basement, from -68, built on a concrete slab. We recently had an inspector on site who thought there was an unusual smell by the baseboards and then wondered if we were interested in doing a moisture measurement of the foundation.

Does anyone have experience with houses built on similar material? What can we expect?
We have previously done a "light version" of moisture measurement in walls, attic, etc., without any elevated values.
The moisture measurement in the foundation will be more extensive, and if so, we want to be a bit prepared for what the measurement might show based on the material underneath.

 

[johlin8]

No one who can help us with the issue?

 

[Ulltand]

No one who can help us with the question?

It's somewhat of a risky construction with insulation on the inside, but that's how it was done back then.

Are you experiencing anything yourselves in the house?

You can also measure the air to see if there are any traces of ongoing microbial activity. An MVOC measurement.

 

[johlin8]

It's somewhat of a risk construction with the insulation on the inside, but that's how it was done at the time.

Do you experience anything yourselves in the house?

You can also measure the air for any traces of ongoing microbial activity. A so-called MVOC measurement.

Yes, I understand that. We don't notice anything ourselves, but according to the inspector, there is an unusual smell if you remove and sniff behind the baseboard, down toward the foundation.

 

[Ulltand]

Yes, I understood that. We don't notice anything ourselves but according to the inspector it smells unusual if you remove and smell behind the baseboard, down towards the foundation.

Do you have mechanical ventilation in the house?
Is it the house or your health that you are most concerned about?

 

[johlin8]

Do you have mechanical ventilation in the house?
Are you more worried about the house or your health?

We have some mechanical in the bathroom, etc., otherwise it's regular exhaust air. We are moving in a couple of years, so it is probably the house we are most worried about.

 

[Ulltand]

We have some mechanical in the bathroom etc., otherwise regular exhaust air. We're moving in a couple of years so the house is probably our biggest concern.

If the house is well-ventilated, you don't get high humidity indoors and then the risk of moisture condensation in building structures decreases. So that's good so far.

 

[johlin8]

If the house is well-ventilated, you don't get such high humidity inside, which reduces the risk of moisture precipitation in building structures. So that's good so far.

That's promising. Do you know anything about the mineral wool insulation itself and how it typically looks with moisture in houses built this way?

 

[Ulltand]

Moisture can come from both outside and inside. If it is built according to the plans, there shouldn't be any moisture load from the outside.

There doesn't necessarily have to be a problem with moisture from the inside, but it cannot be completely ruled out without investigation.

A moisture measurement provides a snapshot but doesn't have to be representative over time. If it were my house, I would probably use a hole saw to make a hole near the exterior wall. Then you can smell more reliably, take out some insulation, feel if there is moisture, and so on.

 

[Dsl]

We live in a single-story house, without a basement, from -68, built on a concrete slab. We recently had an inspector on site who thought it smelled unusual at the baseboards and subsequently wondered if we were interested in doing a moisture measurement of the foundation.

Does anyone have experience with houses built on similar materials? What can we expect?
We have previously done a "light version" of moisture measurement in walls, attic, etc., without any elevated values.
The moisture measurement in the foundation will be more extensive, and we want to be somewhat prepared for what the measurement might show, based on the material underneath.

We also have raised floors on an uninsulated concrete slab with mineral wool, although 10 years older.

The most critical thing should be if wood comes into contact with concrete. Bad smells can come from impregnated wooden frames/sill.

I would recommend making a couple of inspection holes instead of paying a lot of money for a measurement. This way, you'll also see how well it's constructed.

I have inspected several places in connection with renovation. Everything is dry and there is no bad smell despite the green sill, so then you can sleep well.