gaps in suspended timber floor

[Whitling2k]

Hello!

I have a question about floors and I wondered if anyone could help?

I have just moved into a new house that has suspended timber flooding under the ground floor with a 4 foot crawl space below.

Whilst routing some cables through the crawl space, I noticed that there are some large gaps between the space and the rooms above. For example, there is a gap around the edge of the kitchen - which the slugs seem to like - and one really big gap - say 40cm by 15cm. The best way to describe it would be a cat flap down to the crawl space.

The gaps are hidden under units - but it does seem a conduit for insects and anything else that finds its way into the crawl space (we're in a rural location so all sorts of fury and slimy animals wander around at night!)

I know you need ventilation down there - and we do have plenty open air bricks down there - with good ventilation.

But the question I can't find the answer to - does there need to be ventilation between the crawl space and the rooms above?

Can I fill the strip around the edge of the floor with expanding foam? can I seal round the pipes? can I fill the cat-access to the space without causing damp and other problems?

Thanks!

Whitling2k

 

[gregers]

if it was mine then i would.
as you have said if you have enough air movement for the oversite/flooring then fill any gaps with either foam or fibre glass.

 

[tony1851]

does there need to be ventilation between the crawl space and the rooms above?

Absolutely not! Fill the gaps in!!

 

[Whitling2k]

Thanks for the reply guys.. One more question. Do I need to leave room for expansion at the end of the room?

Some guides suggest it's critical and some don't even mention it.

I'm going to lay some new chipboard flooring soon so want to get it right from the word go.

Untitled

• Whitling2k
• 7 Oct 2013
• 2