SUB FLOOR VENTILATION

Inadequate cross flow or "movement" of air in the sub floor space below suspended floor platforms is considered to be a condition conducive to Timber Pest Attack and can also create a very unhealthy environment to be living in.

There are two methods of ventilating a sub floor area, passive ventilation may be sufficient if the building can be vented on all sides, however many buildings have sections of the sub floor obstructed by other solid fill areas, this may be due to the addition of a concrete slab extension or due to the original mode of construction with semi detached and terrace residences, in these properties the use of low voltage fans may be required to move air around the sub floor area. Care should be taken not to dry out sub floor areas too quickly as this may result in cracking, the risk of cracking is higher if the foundations are built on reactive clay soils.