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Framing a wall: idiot edition

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ChadTower:

Use a concrete sealer paint before you put up the insulation.  It will help a good amount with surface moisture.  I used Drilok paint on mine.  I didn't have mold issues to begin with but figured why not if I have the chance in the process.  The rigid insulation will be either tongue and groove or overlapping edges.  Tongue and groove is better but I had a hard time finding it this year.  General caulk type adhesive will keep it on the wall for you.

Jimmy, in MA the code is anything in contact with the concrete needs to be treated lumber, but it also says the framing needs to be a couple inches away from the foundation.  That leads to only the base plate being in contact with concrete.

Howard_Casto:
What he said.  Sealant is far more important.  Also I know you don't want to hear this, but the proper way to tackle a moisture problem is to do it on the outside... which means digging up all the ground around the basement and putting some sort of permanent vapor barrier.  I'm not sure what to recommend there... I'd check out This Old House... I'm sure they've done it at one point.

Remember that water has to go somewhere.  If you seal it on the outside it stays in your yard... which is perfectly acceptable, if you seal it on the inside it says in your wall, which will slowly but surely degrade the wall and lead to more leaks.  I would be careful about polystyrene as well... it is a good moisture barrier, but it's inherent insulation properties can lead to condensation...which is a whole different animal in terms of keeping things dry. 

shponglefan:
I've been toying around with the idea of using a sealant, but keep reading conflicting opinions on using them on concrete.  Some think it's a good idea, some think it's a bad idea, and some think it really has no real effect.  FWIW, I haven't seen any obvious signs of seepage.  The only leak I've ever seen was through the hole where the gas line came in, but that was an actual hole, not seepage through the concrete itself.  I am going to do a test first using plastic, though (per Vigo's post).

Unfortunately, digging and sealing from the outside just isn't a realistic option right now.  Maybe in the future when I have the money for that.  I am working on the outside of the house to try to improve efforts to keep water away.  Grading is pretty good, although could maybe be improved a bit in the front yard.  I do need to extend the downspouts though, as the ones I have are pretty short (~2-3 feet).

Dawgz Rule:

--- Quote ---I've been toying around with the idea of using a sealant, but keep reading conflicting opinions on using them on concrete. 
--- End quote ---

I've noticed the same in regards to vapor barriers on basement walls as well.   Some say that a vapor barrier is an absolute must on studded walls in the basement.  Others say different because it will simply trap the moisture within the void between the studded wall and the concrete.

ChadTower:

Is there a chance that mold is really from a flood and not seepage?

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