I am doing a basement bathroom. The foundation is brick – 90 year old house. Should I seal the foundation before I start putting up studs? What do I use? In some areas I can see efflorescence indicating that moisture is ocasionaly present. Bricks have never felt wet but basement is musty during the summer.
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Replies
You need to figure out where the moisture leading to the mustinessness is coming from before finishing the basement.
In my opinion, sealers on the interior walls treat the symptom for a limited period of time - you need to find and fix the problem.
God never gives us small ideas.
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
I agree with Bob Walker--if you seal the brick on the inside, you will only trap the moisture in the brick. I think then the brick might start falling apart. Beteer to keep the moisture from getting into the brick in the first place.
The problem is it's a foundation and most of the brick is below ground.
My house is also close - two feet - to the neighbour's. The gutters were a problem but have now been fixed. I am not going to start digging up around the perimeter of the foundation. I don't think that is warranted.I am replacing any bricks above ground that need it and leaving some spaces to increase air behind the bricks as suggested by my mason. I am also sealing the ones above ground.Suggestions, comments?
A basement needs a dehumidifier almost year round. The walls are colder than the air within.........it's called condensation.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.