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Preparing a basement room for an indoor

drew725 | Posted in General Discussion on March 27, 2009 06:52am

Preparing a basement room for an indoor pool

<!—-><!—-> <!—->

I am looking for advice on preparing an unfinished basement room for the installation of an Endless Pool (www.endlesspools.com).  Specifically, I need advice on insulation recommendations and moisture barrier (if any).  House is located in Northern Virginia, <!—-> <!—-><!—->USA<!—-> <!—->.

            I’ve read that the old practice of insulating a basement room is to put up fiberglass batt insulation with a vapor barrier.  This method can create mold issues as the vapor barrier can trap moisture between the foundation wall and the moisture barrier.

The newer and preferred method (“Insulate and Weatherize†Bruce Harley Taunton Press) is to put up rigid polystyrene insulation directly against the basement wall.  Build a 2×4 wall against the polystyrene.  Unfaced fiberglass batt insulation can then be placed in the stud bays if desired.

            Is the polystyrene method applicable for a pool room?  What about using spray foam insulation?  Are there additional considerations for the ceiling since the space above is ‘living’ space (the sun room)?

<!—->  <!—->

Below is the description of the room and all applicable details I could think of.

<!—->  <!—->

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

<!—->  <!—->

Future pool room rough description:<!—-> <!—->

– Unfinished basement area

– Room is at/above grade level

– Three walls are exterior

– Walls are poured concrete

– Space above the pool room is the sun room

Pool room finish plans:<!—-> <!—->

– Floor: tile

– Walls: tile 2/3 up wall backed by cement board, upper 1/3 will be paperless drywall

– Ceiling: paperless drywall

Pool description:<!—-> <!—->

– 8’x14’ above ground lap pool

Moisture considerations:<!—-> <!—->

– When pool cover is in place manufacturer states there is 0 moisture loss

– Rough in for ventilation fan in place

– Room dehumidifier with ventilation fan will handle moisture loss when pool is in use

<!—->  <!—->

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Replies

  1. Pelipeth | Mar 27, 2009 01:35pm | #1

    I would look into Azek products for wall covering (sections) and the ceiling beadboard sheet goods. What about floor drains? Tile and Azek, you could power wash to clean.

  2. User avater
    EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 02:42pm | #2

    You might try contacting Bruce or Joe Lstiburek at buildingsciences.com directly. They are available to comment on issues such as yours.

    One concern I would have is the possible need to isolate that environment from the mechanical system (ac and or heating ) from the rest of the structure due to the possibility of introducing this moisture into it.

    I'm not sure I would take the company's word for it on the no vapor released when covered.

    Keep in touch here. I'm curious how this will turn out.

     

  3. User avater
    EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 02:45pm | #3

    Future pool room rough description:

    - Unfinished basement area

    - Room is at/above grade level

    - Three walls are exterior

    - Walls are poured concrete

     

    I'm a little confused about this room. You are calling it a basement...........but state room is at or above grade..............and thre exterior walls are poured concrete.

    Why concrete if they are above grade?

     

    Not sure if this is a basement at all.

     

    1. drew725 | Mar 27, 2009 02:59pm | #4

      It's a basement and the walls are poured concrete.  It's a walk-out basement, the pool room is at the back of the house.

  4. drew725 | Mar 27, 2009 03:07pm | #5

    The attached picture is of the future pool room.  The large metal rectangle in the middle of the room is the walls of the pool.  (Please ignore the various materials in the foreground.)

    1. wane | Mar 27, 2009 03:23pm | #6

      that whole area becomes a wet room, everything gfi breakered, all lights rated for a wet area, can't see a floor drain, slab should be preslopped to a drain.  Every house I've been in with a hot tub indoors smells of it and their manufacturers have the same claims.  As someone else said, isolate the hvac .. what's up with the space age michelin man insulation, how do you drywall over that?

      Edited 3/27/2009 8:24 am ET by wane

    2. peteshlagor | Mar 27, 2009 03:24pm | #7

      A pool inside the heating envelope and there is wood framing overhead....

       

      Be sure you hire a licensed, insured contractor for this.  You'll need his insurance when the resulting humidity causes extensive mold infiltration thru that overhead lattitice of untreated wood.

      Walls look OK, though.

       

    3. User avater
      EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 03:39pm | #8

      To confirm, you will be removing that reflective insulation for foamboard and studd walls.

      What is that vertical member in the center of the photo? Radon vent?

      This pool installation can be done. You really should devote a good amount of time to developing an insulation and ventilation strategy. You DON"T want to screw this up. You could really make a nice mess out of your home if this is not done properly.

      Is there a drain in the pool?

      How about an on line forum for endless wave owners that you may gain from their experiences? 

  5. User avater
    EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 03:44pm | #9

    100% of the humidity can be controlled when the pool is not in use, by either the optional automatic or manual security cover. When closed, the cover seals in humidity and reduces heat loss. It retracts onto a roller located at the front of the pool. The cover has a lock-down mechanism for security. The humidity present from a daily one-hour swim can be controlled by a simple room dehumidifier or a bathroom exhaust fan.

    I would like to see some math done here to determine the exact amount of humidity released in order to correctly design a system to evacuate it from your home.

     

  6. User avater
    EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 03:57pm | #10

    http://www.endlesspools.com/plan/plan_humidity.html

    I'm sure that you have been to this page on humidity. I think that their estimation of a humidity reading of 60% may be a little higher that one would realistically desire for a conditioned space.

    Their evaporation estimation may be on the low side considering this level of humidity. I am not sure exactly how much more water could evaporate in a lower humidity condition.

    You will need make-up air if you are going to be running an exhaust fan.

     

    1. drew725 | Mar 27, 2009 04:14pm | #11

      Thanks and to answer questions thus far...

      Everything is GFI with lights for wet area.  Had the builder make some modifications to this area of the house in anticipation of pool and pool equipment.  Inspector made builder install wet rated lights and such when he found out what the space would be used for.

      Reflective backed insulation will be coming down.  Seeking advice on what type of insulation that will replace it.  Polystyrene, spray insulation, etc.

      Vertical post is a support column for the second floor of the house.  The wall dividing the pool room from the rest of the basement will incorporate the post within it.

      Thanks for the tip on the make-up air.

       

      Edited 3/27/2009 9:15 am ET by drew725

      1. cic317 | Mar 27, 2009 04:56pm | #12

        We are working on a indoor pool now, to control Humidity make sure to get a safety cover & use it when pool is not in use, also we are using a Desert air ventilation system to control humidity add some heat & a/c Check it out,Not cheap but great company w/ real good customer service

      2. User avater
        EricPaulson | Mar 27, 2009 11:07pm | #13

        Harley's book has diagrams of many basement insulation assemblies includung spray foa. 

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