pressure-treated exterior wall sill

[Gorson]

I have read in some places that pressure-treated outer wall sill that has started to rot is really bad, even dangerous. I am currently taking in quotes to tear up my entire floor over a crawl space that is rot-damaged. The sill should also be replaced; the first craftsman who comes to look says he will install pressure-treated wood in the floor and as a sill. Is this sensible? Are these new techniques and only old pressure-treated items to be afraid of? Otherwise, he seems to know what he's talking about.

 

[seniorkonsult]

Hello!
Pressure-treated wood is not used. It smells and also molds. If you install pressure-treated wood, you're assuming it will get damp. No, make sure it is and remains dry. Find out why the floor has been damaged. In fact, it's completely normal for damage to occur because a crawl space doesn't function without special measures. The best way to keep the crawl space dry is to install insulation under the joists (without wooden strips). Use, for example, foam plastic and screw it to the underside. Remove all organic material from the ground and cover the ground with plastic, sloping it outward. Place stones on top so the plastic stays in place.

 

[Gorson]

The drainage is poor, and indeed there is no plastic on the ground, which causes the moisture in the sand (yes it's true on the crawl space floor) to rise into the house foundation. Additionally, the previous owner stored a lot of organic material in the form of planks in the crawl space directly on the wet sand. So yes, I'm working on the drainage, I will clean up all the material, lay down plastic, remove the sand, and finally put in some gravel instead. And last but not least, I will probably also need to install a dehumidifier. If you do all this, you shouldn't need any pressure-treated wood as you say.

 

[seniorkonsult]

Yes, if you are going to have this type of construction, a dehumidifier is required if it is going to turn out well. There are prefabricated house manufacturers with this construction that have dehumidifiers as standard. Regarding the sand, it was stated as such in the standards from 1970-75. The only problem is that pollen, seeds, and all sorts of things blow in. Then mold starts to grow as it is an ideal climate. Your solution will probably be good.