I want to remodel my basement. The walls do not leak water but the basement feels very damp. Will applying spray foam insulation to the walls prevent moisture migration from the outside without causing any other problems?
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Replies
The beauty of foam on a basement wall (done properly) is that it prevents water vapor from reaching the cool concrete wall. When warm, moist air comes in contact with the cool concrete walls, the water in vapor form can condense and form droplets, which can accumulate and form small puddles.
I'm thinking that closed cell foam (polyurethane) could prevent vapor from migrating through the concrete into the basement, but not open celled foam.
Look at this site for best recommendations on basement designs:
http://www.buildingscience.com
Here is an article to get you started : http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements/?topic=/doctypes/digest