Hi all
I have a house with an unfinished basement, slab and block walls. One wall is backfilled. Basement is vented per code. I am getting a thin dew like film of moisture near the backfilled wall. Pretty much everything within about 10 feet of this wall is covered including fiberglass insulation in floor above. The backfilled wall is coated with thoroseal, I probably should have used a rubber membrane. Seems like I am getting moisture vapor through the wall.
What should I do now to help keep the basement dry?
HC
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It's more likely you're getting condensation on that wall. Even with the venting, that wall because it is against cool earth is going to be much cooler than any of the others Likely around 55-60 degrees). If there is any moisture/humidity in the air when it touches the cool surface of the wall you're going to get moisture condensing there. Try running a dehumidifier and see if that stops it. The venting may not be sufficient to remove all the moisture.
If you live in a humid climate, venting a basement or crawlspace is as likely to dampen it as to dry it. Warm, humid air entering a cool space results in condensation, not drying.
Andy Engel
Senior editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
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