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We are in the process of finishing our basement. We have not yet hung drywall, and are finding moisture between the fiberglass insulation and the moisture barrier which rests directly on the block wall. Here is what we have done so far: first we painted the concrete block walls with latex-based Drylock waterproofer. Between the block and the studs we put up 5-mil plastic sheeting and R13 fiberglass insulation between the studs.
The exposed sections of concrete block seem to be dry.
We need to have a solution to this soon as we are ready to hang drywall!
Replies
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Did you seal/caulk the sill plate? This is often a real "leaker", dumping cold air were it is least welcome.The new stud walls disrupt the previously unrestricted airflow/dispersion of the cold air. It can effectivly lower the temperature of the newly created cavity.
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Fred, to clarify the problem, the moisture is not between the plastic and the block wall, it is on the side of the plastic that faces into the room. It is "bone dry" in between the block and the plastic. The relative humidity level in the room is around 40%.
What I think may be happening is the insulation is keeping the block cold, and is any moisture that is in the basement is able to pass through the insulation and then condense on the vapor barrier against the block. The concrete floor is still exposed at this time, and some room moisture may be coming from there.
Would a 2nd vapor barrier over the insulation fix the problem?
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JERHARD, IF YOU HAVE PLASTIC UP AGAINST THE BLOCK WALL AND THEN STUDS AND INSULATION AND THEN KRAFT PAPER OR PLASTIC FINALLY BEFORE DRYWALL THE YOU ARE LOCKING MOISTURE IN BETWEEN ! CONSIDER BLOCK LIKE OUTSIDE WALL. THATS WHY WE USE TYVEK OR HOUSEWRAP CAUSE THEY BREATH WHILE THE PROTECT!
FINALLY WHEN YOU TURN HEAT ON IN BASEMENT IT WILL HELP!
THIS IS ALL ADVICE IF YOU HAVE A DRY PER SAY BASEMENT! IF NOT THEN BASEMENT NEEDS WATER PROBLEM SOLUTIONS MORE EXTENSIVE. ALSO,EVEN KNOW YOUR PROBALLY ALL FRAMED, A 1 1/2 " SPACE BETWEEN BLOCK AND WALL HELPS A BIT!
*jerhard,the air in your cellar has too much moisture in it for how cold the plastic covered walls are....Find the moisture source.near the stream,ajps tell us where you are located...ground water and drainage,etc....
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We are in the process of finishing our basement. We have not yet hung drywall, and are finding moisture between the fiberglass insulation and the moisture barrier which rests directly on the block wall. Here is what we have done so far: first we painted the concrete block walls with latex-based Drylock waterproofer. Between the block and the studs we put up 5-mil plastic sheeting and R13 fiberglass insulation between the studs.
The exposed sections of concrete block seem to be dry.
We need to have a solution to this soon as we are ready to hang drywall!