I have an exposed granite wall in my dining room (which is 3/4 below grade). There is very short wall (18″ tall) below the boxed in ‘finned heat’. This short wall is plain old painted sheet rock.
The dampness from the granite wall has taken its toll on the paint and the Sheetrock. (I am about to repair it again.)
How can I ‘seal’ this wall (prior to patching and painting) to stop the deterioration of the sheet rock and the peeling of the paint?
Richard
Replies
Your description isn't completely clear in terms of explaining where the drywall is located relative to the stone or how much they are in contact/proximity.
If the stone tends to be damp and an edge of the drywall is in contact with it, you want to open a slight gap (maybe 3/16") between the stone and the drywall and caulk the gap.
If it's more a problem of proximity, then you may have a problem with condensation directly on the drywall. In that case you need to somehow adjust the conditions near the drywall to eliminate condensation -- either lower humidity or raise temperature.
If you should decide to tear out the drywall and replace it you should use some sort of moisture-resistant drywall, either the standard "greenboard" or one of the newer "paperless" drywall composites.
If you should decide to tear out the drywall and replace it you should use some sort of moisture-resistant drywall, either the standard "greenboard" or one of the newer "paperless" drywall composites.
Or even Densshield which would be 1 step up from either of those choices. It is harder to finish, however, since it needs to be skim-coated. In addition to being very moisture resistant, it comes with it's own moisture barrier.
Or even Densshield which would be 1 step up from either of those choices. It is harder to finish, however, since it needs to be skim-coated. In addition to being very moisture resistant, it comes with it's own moisture barrier.
In this situation you would need to put the moisture barrier side (gray) facing the granite.I'm assuming that that granite forms the wall and the DW is just a surface behind the heater. In which case you might want to build it with a ventilated gap like a rain screen.
Edited 11/8/2009 10:24 pm ET by BigBill
Edited 11/8/2009 10:28 pm ET by BigBill
The drywall is not in direct contact with the exterior (granite block) wall. Removing the existing drywall to replace it with greenboard would be a huge undertaking due to the heating system setup.
To be quite candid, I am looking for a 'quick fix', something that would make the drywall impervious to moisture; a sealer #Bin?# of sorts.
I have had to patch and paint this area only twice before and I have lived in this condo for over 18 years. I doubt I'll be here another 18 years.
Thanks,
Richard
You still haven't given us a good picture of the layout. You say this drywall is below the fintube heater, eg, but normally fintube would be at the bottom of the wall, so there would be no way for there to be anything "below" it.
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
Let me try to describe it better. This short wall is about 16" high and is half covered by a wide baseboard. That leaves about 8" of drywall exposed. Above that is the fintube, fronted by a piece of 1x6 and covered by a piece of 1x8, a half of box if you will. There is a gap between the 1x6 and the drywall for air flow. There is also a gap between the 1x8 and the granite for air (heat) flow.
The problem area is that vertical 8" of drywall and the horizontal section that sits under the fintube. Neither of which is in direct contact with the exterior wall.
I hope that helps
So where is the exterior wall in relation to this?
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
The exterior wall is behind the sheetrock short wall and half boxed in fintube. That combination is about 2' leaving 6' of exposed granite block. There are also a couple of windows. These are in wells that collect water during heavy rain and may be a source of moisture.
Where does the moisture damage appear? Top? Bottom? Middle?
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
Get or make covers for the window wells to keep out the rain.
Some pictures would help us understand the situation.
Ok, here are some pictures...
Post a pic.
If there is a moisture issue, there is absolutely nothing you can do to make drywall acceptable. Find another, moisture tolerant product.
While the above posters are right, it may not address your question.
You want to know how to seal the (I presume) exterior wall, so water cannot get in.
Some of the answer is hard to do, but permanent, so I'll start that way.
1. Excavate the area outside and make sure your drains are clear, or, renew them;
2. While the exterior wall is exposed, get it clean and install one of the modern concrete anti-moisture barriers (NOT sprayed on bitumen products). Your local building supply store will have the stuff.
If you strip the old drywall off and get right down to the concrete (or block) wall, you can use a product like Xypex (there are others) which you apply with an brush or whatever, and it sinks into concrete and seals out moisture. There is a limited warranty however.
It depends how long you plan on being there, or if a customer's home, how long you expect to have your work last.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
Note that if it's really granite then there isn't much water getting in. It would be mostly any mortar between blocks that would let water through, and any cracks.
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
Its not seepage through the granite, more condensation with the temperature changes. And, I suppose there is seepage through the mortar after a heavy rain. Remember, this wall is below grade.
Thanks for your input. Exterior excavation is not a feasible option...
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