Gap in the bottom of the weatherboard

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senz

34 posts

Geek

#251432 25-Jun-2019 14:00

I am new to buildings and weatherboard, bottom of the cladding is open, i could see the insulation. Is it a problem? Do i need to close?

Thanks in advance.

E3xtc

773 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2264233 25-Jun-2019 15:59

I am no builder but I have a funny feeling that is normal and its there for either ventilation and/or to ensure water doesn't back track up and into the wall cavity....maybe 🤷

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#2264234 25-Jun-2019 16:07

Depends on the building construction whether there is supposed to be a cavity there or not. If there is a cavity designed, it is usually closed with cavity closer near the bottom.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#2264276 25-Jun-2019 16:16

RunningMan:

Depends on the building construction whether there is supposed to be a cavity there or not. If there is a cavity designed, it is usually closed with cavity closer near the bottom.

Whether there is a cavity or not, the Insulation should not be showing,

This means there is access through the Housewrap/vapour barrier,

You can have a cavity on the outside of the wrap/barrier, but it should still be sealed...

Bung

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#2265099 26-Jun-2019 15:23

You can see in wellygary's picture that the bottom weatherboard has a packer. Your wall is slightly different because it is offset from the foundation unlike the side immediately to the left. Is the visible insulation from the wall above the bottom plate or between floor joists? There is likely to be a piece of trim missing. If you post a picture get in close and show the detail rather than a distant shot.

nickb800

2715 posts

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Trusted

#2265108 26-Jun-2019 15:51

If the house is on a piled foundation, then you could be seeing underfloor insulation, which is not too untoward. If it's on a concrete slab, then you would be seeing all insulation which should be hidden by a wall wrap /building paper. Not ideal but not a biggie either

senz

34 posts

Geek

#2265585 27-Jun-2019 09:29

Thank you all for your reply, i will add a detailed/closer photo soon.

senz

34 posts

Geek

#2267700 1-Jul-2019 11:15

This is the photo how it is looks.

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Technofreak

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#2267703 1-Jul-2019 11:21

Looks like it might be underfloor insulation. In that case nothing to worry about.

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senz

34 posts

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#2268221 2-Jul-2019 08:34

Thank you for the time and response.

froob

692 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2268258 2-Jul-2019 09:30

As Bung mentioned above, it looks like that wall of the house is offset from the foundations - in other words the house is hanging out over the foundations more than you would normally see. Because of that, it looks as though you can looking up at the underfloor insulation from underneith, as mentioned by others above.

Although it may not matter, you could protect the insulation by installing a strip of treated plywood or timber into the gap, in the same way that sheets are installed to the underside of eaves (soffit).

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nickb800

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#2268259 2-Jul-2019 09:33

froob: As Bung mentioned above, it looks like that wall of the house is offset from the foundations - in other words the house is hanging out over the foundations more than you would normally see. Because of that, it looks as though you can looking up at the underfloor insulation from underneith, as mentioned by others above.

Although it may not matter, you could protect the insulation by installing a strip of treated plywood or timber into the gap, in the same way that sheets are installed to the underside of eaves (soffit).

It may serve an important function as a subfloor vent. If the OP doesn't have vents regularly spaced around the foundations, then definitely don't board it in. If the OP does have regular vents, then boarding would be fine

froob

692 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2268261 2-Jul-2019 09:36

nickb800:
froob: As Bung mentioned above, it looks like that wall of the house is offset from the foundations - in other words the house is hanging out over the foundations more than you would normally see. Because of that, it looks as though you can looking up at the underfloor insulation from underneith, as mentioned by others above.

Although it may not matter, you could protect the insulation by installing a strip of treated plywood or timber into the gap, in the same way that sheets are installed to the underside of eaves (soffit).

It may serve an important function as a subfloor vent. If the OP doesn't have vents regularly spaced around the foundations, then definitely don't board it in. If the OP does have regular vents, then boarding would be fine

Fair point - I can't see any subfloor vents in the photo. But, a bit of an unusual way to provide for subfloor ventilation.

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