Looking to refinish my basement: cinder block walls that have been painted several times by previous owner. Much of the paint is flaking/efflourescing off the walls. I have a minor dampness problem; have a single row of bricks mortared several inches from the wall, which channels any water to sump hole. I’d like to avoid any mold problems. WHat is best method of enclosing walls: false wall inches from block to allow circulation? PLastic/foam board[or foil faced foam]/drywall right on the existing block wall?? Use metal studs [or bottom plate at a minimum]? IS there a good way top remove existing paint on the blocks, short of pressure washing [probably NOT a good indoor alternative]?? All suggestions welcome.Thanks. |
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If you ask 10 different contractors, you'll get 10 different opinions, many of them conflicting. Go to http://www.buildingscience.com and look at their Resources. They have a couple of lengthy, detailed articles on insulated basement walls - well researched.
Why remove the paint? It'll have lead in it.
Regards,
Tim
The "minor moisture problem" needs to be solved before you start to finish the basement. Peeling paint and efforvescents indicate moisture migrating through the block from the outside.
IMO any interior finish over a damp wall just provides the perfect dark, damp conditions for mold growth. I would pursue a course to achive a dry environment first, then finish that space.
Dave
Your best bet is a continuous membrane in contact with the block wall. This should be sealed tight at the top, but allowed to drain at the bottom. Any significant void ('false wall') is going to cause more problems than it solves. Such a space would never dry out, and would become a breeding ground.
That drainage channel design may make setting the membrane tricky. Perhaps the lower edge of the membrane could go over the top of the bricks and down to the floor, sealing off the drainage channel from the living space. This could lap under a floor membrane. (Flooring details are important as well.)
Membrane should be covered with a thermal break such as rigid foam to prevent condensation.
Look into Tu-tuf membranes- good stuff.
If you have liquid water coming in from exterior drainage problems or ground surge, you should resolve those issues first.