Vapor Barrier Concrete Basement Walls

Concrete is like a huge sponge which holds water and water vapor for years and years.

Vapor barrier concrete basement walls. You should then use fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier between the studs with the vapor barrier facing in toward the living space. So there is enough gap for air to flow. Not to be confused with a vapor barrier which is placed on the warm side of the wall just in front of the insulation and behind the drywall a moisture barrier goes against the basement wall and. That is if the studs are going to touch the concrete wall.

It needs to dry and then stay dryto avoid flooring problems. Basement insulation vapor barriers the trick with basement insulation jobs is in understanding where water vapor is being stored and where it s moving to. A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. It s not rocket science.

If you have more than one barrier in the thickness of the wall you will trap moisture in the middle. Finishing basement walls using a vapor barrier is easy and the article below will show you how. The water vapor can come through the concrete from the soil or from indoor air that comes in contact with the concrete. Usually that is right behind the drywall.

Of foam against the wall this should not be a problem in your climate. With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing. As the wall dries the water vapor leaves the concrete and tries to penetrate the insulation and wall. Or you can leave a 4 inch gap between the studs and concrete wall and probably get away with it.

Vapor barriers are used because while fresh concrete is poured wet it s not supposed to stay that way. Hence it must always be located on the warm in winter side of any insulation. Building codes usually require a vapor barrier 4 mil plastic sheeting on exterior basement walls if the framing is attached to masonry or concrete surfaces or if the wood framing butts up against the outer basement walls. When the mold grows it will spread to everything around it studs drywall etc.

Most jurisdictions require a 4 mil plastic sheet vapor barrier for basement walls against concrete. If you have a framed wall that is adjacent to a concrete foundation wall where the vapor barrier is next to the drywall in front of the studs the fiberglass insulation gets wet and becomes a breeding ground for mold. It is designed to stop moisture in the form of vapour that is inside the house from moving into the walls and forming condensation or ice. The vapour barrier is more properly called a vapour retarder.

When you install framing insulation and drywall you can be certain that your basement will remain dry. For a basement that vapor barrier should be the waterproof membrane or coating on the outside of the concrete wall.