Assistance would be appreciated by home-owner.
Canadian house – the builder framed, insulated, and vapor-barriered exterior walls of basement (house is 5 years old).
Concrete walls have ‘sweated’ moisture into the insulation and studs – one suggestion is to now put vapor barrier on both sides of the insulation – but where does the ‘sweat’ go then.?.
We are now finishing the basement, which will include 2 cold air returns and an exhaust duct (plus looking at HRV), so there will be less moisture in the basement in the future..but question is how do we vapor-barrier the exterior walls before we finish them?
Thank you very much from Manitoba..
Replies
any air space betweent the frame/insulation and block wall?............doesnt soundl like it
Dan
There is a 1 inch space between the concrete wall and the insulation/framing.
We just discovered this moisture and are now removing the insulation and vapor barrier and don't want to put it back up the same way if it won't work!
Look at these threads
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=53023.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=53000.1
And get the new issue of FHB. It has an article just on this subject.
If it is condensation then installing foam sheet insulation on the walls will keep the surface warm enough that it won't condense.
Thank you for both the references to other threads and the new issue!
We will read those thoroughly.
The worst spot was where the vapor barrier met the top of the wood frame but did not continue to the subfloor leaving a two inch gap. It was underneath a bay window on the main floor and is the worst in the corners of the. That is the only area that has mold and one piece of wood on the floor that is rotting.
(this is now the non-technical Mrs. typing so I am trying not to use 'thingy' etc to describe this problem...)
Thank you for your help!
Edited 2/3/2005 5:59 pm ET by Wall