I'm new to this community so I apologize if I'm not doing this right. I'm located in North Carolina where the temperature was 17 the other night. My laundry room is exposed to the outside on 3 sides and the washer/dryer are side-by-side on one of the walls and the dryer exhausts out this same wall. Also on the outside attached to the siding on this wall are my utilitiy boxes, fuse box, and AC runoff PVC piping and AC connections. Silicon flexible caulking is around the dryer vent and AC connections on the outside but the draft still persists inside coming from under the washer/dryer across the floor. This is a single story townhouse on a slab and I'm thinking more insulation needs to be added to this wall. Everyone I've talked to says the sheet rock would have to be removed to add more insulation because of the existing studs. I am interested in learning about alternatives and hopefully less expensive ideas. Can anyone help me?

 

Welcome to the forums!

Approximately when was the townhouse built? To insulate you need to remove the wall covering [drywall or siding] Do your plumbing pipes for the washer freeze? are they in the outside wall or attached to the drywall? Finding and sealing the source of the air leak might be enough.

 

Insulation does not necessarily stop air movement, you need to find the leaks and seal them.

 

Hi foley,
Since the cold air seems to be coming from under/behind the w/d then you might as well pull them out. Once you can get back there the solution will probably be more obvious. You mentioned a slab foundation so I assume this laundry room is on part of that slab. That would leave the bottom of those walls as highly suspect.

If the walls are poorly insulated then cold air will fall along the surface just like on windows. This convection could also be your source of a draft. Any windows in that space?

As asked, do your water supply and drain lines exit through the floor or into the wall.

Also, with your utility boxes on the outside of one of those walls there could be large openings behind where wires enter.

Bud

 

My TH was built in 2009 and i bought it in May 2016 so this is my first winter. Let me start by letting you know I'm a senior female with back issues. It is impossible for me to move my w/d. But I know there are no pipes on the drywall. They are inside the wall and there is a small window on an adjoining wall to the w/d. I can see a width of about 2' behind the dryer where the baseboard at the top has separated from the drywall so it does need to be caulked. I'm in the process of finding a handyman who should be able to fix this. Very hard to find a good one. I know at least 6 women who are also looking for one.

 

I have done and will do more volunteering for our local Eastern Area Agency on Aging. If you have something similar or senior support group they are a good place to find tested and trusted help. Many retired seniors have the experience and time along with their health to add a few more years to their achievements.

Best,
Bud

 

The age of the home all but insures that there is insulation in the wall so I'd concentrate on sealing the draft .... which caulking may fix.

 

This is such a wonderful site and I'm so glad I found it. Bud, I'll do some research for senior help and thanks for volunteering to help seniors. Much needed. As soon as I get someone to help me, the caulking will get done. I try to do as much as i can but now my back limits me. Good to know, marksr, that my place is insulated. Thanks for your help everyone and Happy Holidays!