what to put back now that I tore it out.
OK, So I ripped out my bathroom walls today
Bath is 1/2 below grade, and always smelled a bit funky (moldy) since we moved in 6mo ago. Truth be told, in a heavy rain the day before we bought the place, mud washed in between wood and masonry wall. I don’t think it was the 1st time either. I ripped out all the rock and 50’s plastic bath tile, and found the mold inside that I expected. Exterior water problem has been solved btw.
Now wondering what to put back. The old sheetrock was just on 3/4″ furring strips, with some felt against the block wall. I can’t build out the wall any further than 3/4 because the tile have to meet the existing CI tub correctly. Also have some fin tube in the way of building the wall out further.
What’s my best R-factor in 3/4″? Foil faced foam?
What about the foil-bubble-wrap stuff?
I’m thinking
1)New felt
2) foil foam between new 3/4″ sleepers
3) poly VB over that
4) then durock behind tile and MR board on the rest to be painted.
Any better ideas?
Is a Dry-loc or other coating on the block a waste of time?
Thanks.
Replies
Just trying once to revive this thread with no responses.
I understand that the whole "bsmenent wall/VB" discussion has played out many times here; but I was hoping to get some feedback on maximizing r-value in such a thin wall.
If anyone's interested, please check out the photo and give me your thoughts. I'd hate to set the tile only to find I did something dumb behind it...
Much appreciated!
-Erik
I think the foilaced stuff is as warm as you are going to get, the only think I might add to the sandwich is to paint the concrete with some sort of fungaside to kill any mold spores that might be left. Rik
Thanks for the thought. That sounds like a good idea. Maybe kills or something?
I wonder if it's possible to go without any furring strips betweent the foam. That would mean the durock or sheetrock would be tapconned thru the foam and directly to the block wall. Would the cold transfer along the screw and cause corrosion from condensation on the finished side?
Stray-Were you able to check anything behind the tub?
What is behind that OSB under the window?
Seeing you have gone that far in the renovation you might as well go full tilt and do everything. Is that your only bath tub in the house. If not maybe a showerstall if it's a basement. I'm thinking mold in the tub area if that hasn't been checked. I'd at least squirt a liberal bleach solution under there.
As is, foams the best and Dryloc isn't going to hurt anything.
Don't know where you are located but extra insulation below grade isn't that important as 3/4" should act as the thermal break which would cover the main need.
Edited 2/27/2003 11:34:40 AM ET by rez
"Stray-Were you able to check anything behind the tub?"
Well, I could get a peek on the 5' dimension along the tub (that's a full 2X4 partition wall). Maybe a mirror and a flashlight will tell me what's up under there. Like you say, liberal bleach won't hurt. I'll check it out tonight.
"What is behind that OSB under the window?"
That's actually FG batt stuffed in under the window (May look like OSB since I reduced the pixel quality to get it to upload). No sign of moisture/mold around the window itself, but I'll pull all the FG to be sure.
"Don't know where you are located"
Upstate NY, currently 4 degrees. 80's and moist in summer. No AC in the house to worry about.
"but extra insulation below grade isn't that important as 3/4" should act as the thermal break which would cover the main need."
What do you think about the no-furring idea (ie attach drywall and durock through foam to the block)?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. -Erik
If you're going to leave the tub as is some kind of long spray hose mechanism to hit the bottom length of the tub.
Is this the main bath in the house?Don't know anything about the no furring approach.
But really Stray, you're in so deep now what little extra involvement to do a complete redo will give great dividends down the road. But I understand, no body wants to mess with a cast iron 'all ready in place' tub and the ensuing drainage.Is the tub vented?
"Is this the main bath in the house?"
No. Upstairs has main bath, also with CI tub. This will be used by my 2yr old whose room will be 5' away, and washing the dog, and .....
"But really Stray, you're in so deep now what little extra involvement to do a complete redo will give great dividends down the road. But I understand, no body wants to mess with a cast iron 'all ready in place' tub and the ensuing drainage."
I hear ya... but I'm already deeper into this than I planned, and still have multiple projects to get done before DW has the next kid (July). Like building my pole barn shop. A guy's gotta have priorities and rippin out the tub ain't high on the list
"Is the tub vented?"
Good question! I'll check tonight. Probably would be burried in the slab, but I should be able to figure it out. It's under the kitchen sink, so I hope they tied it in and took it throught the roof. House was built in '50's and generally has good workmanship.
2nd bath downstairs so it sounds like you're all set. Squirt under the tub and then get on with it. :O)