I guess the vapour barrier plays a big role in draft reduction and the
insulation for heat retention.
I didn't want to tear out all the drywall but I don't see any other choice.
My main concern is the draft problem. If I can resolve it with vapour
barrier, then most of my current problems will be solved.
thanks
"willshak" wrote in message
...
On 1/17/2005 1:15 PM US(ET), dude took fingers to keys, and typed the
following:
Yes, there is no vapour barrier or insulation behind all of the finished
part. The basement is also very damp in the summer.
Sould I re-drywall and vapour barrier the whole basement andd not just the
half that is currently drywalled??
Also, what do you think about the spray foam for the drafts?? The house was
built in 1950 and I've talked with a few of my neighbours who have the same
problems with drafts. Actually, there are drafts allover the house.
kudos
Steve
If removing all the drywall is not a problem for you (other than getting
rid of it), I would go that route.
I have a 1/2 basement around 30' x 30', so only 3 walls are to the
outside and they are 1' out of the ground in the front and 2' out of the
ground on the side and back. Poured concrete walls. I also have 5 vinyl
clad wooden single paned basement windows on two adjacent walls, 4 on
the side wall and one in the back, each 15"H x 30"W.
What I did...
2 x 4 framing 16" OC all around the 3 outside walls. I also have a Bilco
door, but I installed a steel clad door in the wall framing for further
insulation there.
3-1/2" fiberglass insulation batts between studs (paper side facing in).
3-1/2" fiberglass between ceiling joists (put there for noise abatement
when the kids were small and boisterous and this was their playroom)
Plastic vapor barrier stapled to studs, floor to joists.
Sheetrocked.
Dropped ceiling with 2' x 4' panels.
Partially carpeted floor.
I have no heat in the basement except for ambient heat from the oil
burner and the propane water heater which are both in a utility alcove
under the staircase.
Currently the outside temp is 22ºF. The wall thermometer next to my
computer desk reads 66º as does the one on the other side of the room.
In the NY summer, the temp down here never goes above 75ºF.
"Noozer" wrote in message
news:TySGd.103004$8l.66215@pd7tw1no...
"dude" wrote in message
newsgroups.com...
Hi all, here is my dilemma:
I bought a house 2 years ago in the summer with a half finished basement
(supposedly). This is where my tv is and is a busy spot. I found out my
first winter that the walls were not insulated and and that there are
some
nasty drafts.
It sounds like it wasn't finished properly. I'm betting that if they
didn't
use insulation, they didn't put a vapour barrier up either. Insulating the
walls is just asking for a damp basement, etc.
Cut a small section of drywall out and see if there really is no
insulation
and check for the plastic vapour barrier. It should be between the drywall
and studs, so any insulation would be in contact with the foundation, not
the drywall.
If there's no vapour barrier you might plan on taking the drywall down and
redoing the job. Major pain and major waste, but at least you'll know it's
done properly. While the drywall is down you can install plastic
"envelopes"
around your electrical boxes to help keep the drafts out as well.
--
Bill
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