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Strange thing I found in an old cabinet

submitted by TheOriginal1Icemonkey to AskGoats 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:04:06 ago (+3/-0)     (AskGoats)

We have a floor to ceiling hall cabinet, built in place, in a 1940’s home. When you pull out the bottom drawer you see the hardwood flooring underneath. Upon doing this for the first time last week, we found the floor to be lined with aluminum foil. There were no mouse droppings or even any dust per se. what could be the reason for this? There is a moisture barrier between the hardwood and the subfloor, as I’ve been into the floor in other rooms for repair. Been in the house ten years and had never pulled the drawer out prior.


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[ - ] KosherHiveKicker 3 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:30:00 ago (+3/-0)

Did the hall cabinet have water lines running in that general area? In the wall behind it, or maybe below that subfloor under it?

Condensation from pipes, a bathroom, or a water basin near it could have led them to do that.

[ - ] TheOriginal1Icemonkey [op] 0 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:46:43 ago (+0/-0)

Good question, but no, the one bathroom and the kitchen are plumbed behind and to the west of this closet.

[ - ] KosherHiveKicker 1 point 10 monthsJun 7, 2024 01:18:56 ago (+1/-0)

That could be it perhaps. The "Wet Wall" with all the plumbing might close enough that they wanted to try to stop condensation or humidity from fucking with the wood flooring.

Repeat humidity cycling on wood floors causes them to expand when humidity increases, and then contract when it dries out. That is why floors start to warp, and creak over time.

[ - ] Thatguy 1 point 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:38:56 ago (+1/-0)

It’s probably where they hid the good silver and used the foil to keep it dry.

[ - ] TheOriginal1Icemonkey [op] 0 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:47:57 ago (+0/-0)

Hmm. Could be. A very old lady lived here prior to us.

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic 2 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 22:48:03 ago (+2/-0)

Its were they kept the crack!

[ - ] yesiknow 0 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 23:13:53 ago (+0/-0)

At the bottom of this page:

https://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/a-look-back-at-insulation-products-of-the-20th-century_o

"This reflective insulation featuring aluminum foil attached to a "kraft paper" backing was promoted for its superior reduction of radiant heat, particularly in ceilings."

[ - ] xmasskull 5 points 10 monthsJun 6, 2024 23:52:33 ago (+5/-0)

'40's home with an aluminum barrier was for early termite barrier,it worked rather well according to my Granddad in Jax,FL.

[ - ] TheOriginal1Icemonkey [op] 1 point 10 monthsJun 7, 2024 10:09:40 ago (+1/-0)

That could be, the house has had termites in the past.