Expert: Dave Johnson - 1/24/2008

Question
We recently bought our home this past spring.  In December we noticed that the basement was noticeably colder than the upstairs- I just put this off to being normal for basements.
It was finished when the home was built(2004). I painted the walls in early January and noticed that after i had taken the electrical plug covers off so i could tape the receptacles off and paint the walls that the wall facing the outside had cold air flowing from behind the covers and also at the floor below the trim. This is the only wall that faces the outside directly(middle home in a row of townhouses)  I have a window on that wall as well but also a direct vent gas fireplace directly above it on the main floor that is built into a small 2.5 foot extension out.  Underneath it is the same material that are under the eaves of the roof(to allow the box to breathe- i assume). Is it possible that there is a gap in between the foundation and frame that is leaking air into the house? I can't really get at it until it warms up(its -15 degrees celcius right now).. how are these things usually built(firplace) and should it have that eaves material there?( i also noticed crickets in the basement during the summer but didn't put two and two together- this is also my first home.

Answer
Hi Ryan,
First, almost any finished basement that is not insulated will have what feels like air infiltration around these openings.
As far as the soffit (or vented) material you mentioned, unless I was on site it would be hard to determine whether
that was the problem.
I have never used that material for that purpose, and am wondering why they did. If it were mine I would probably remove it and see what was behind it.
A gap between the sill and foundation will let in air and of course insects...the little buggers can get in a very tight space.
I'm afraid after reading this that I haven't helped much... so ask anytrhing more and I'll try and help.
Dave