Wet Insulation Basement Walls

Posted by on June 16, 2007, 1:28 pm

I am having a house built, the basement walls are poured concrete.
The basment walls are framed and insulated with FibreGlass insulation
and then covered with a vapor barrier.
The problem is there has been so much condensation the insulation is
soaked on the side that is against the concrete wall.
Just now the builder has put in a big fan and dehumidifier in the
basement to circulate the air. The AC/furnace has not been hooked up
yet.

I dont want to take possesion of a house with wet insulation in the
basment. What agruments should I use with the builder on my walk
through to get hime to replace it? What should I get him to do? I
have a feeling it wont be a smooth walkthrough.

Posted by Bobk207 on June 16, 2007, 4:43 pm

On Jun 16, 10:28 am, hockeyhoc...@hotmail.com wrote:

> I am having a house built, the basement walls are poured concrete.
> The basment walls are framed and insulated with FibreGlass insulation
> and then covered with a vapor barrier.
> The problem is there has been so much condensation the insulation is
> soaked on the side that is against the concrete wall.
> Just now the builder has put in a big fan and dehumidifier in the
> basement to circulate the air. The AC/furnace has not been hooked up
> yet.
> I dont want to take possesion of a house with wet insulation in the
> basment. What agruments should I use with the builder on my walk
> through to get hime to replace it? What should I get him to do? I
> have a feeling it wont be a smooth walkthrough.

With the vapor retarding membrane in place...it's going ot be a long
time drying that insulation out. What was the source of the moisture?

Aren't foundation concrete walls normally insulated with rigid board
on the outside? (at least that is my limited experience with
insulated foundation walls in mountain regions of CA & NV)

Something doesn't seem right here.

Here's a rather lengthly report on basement wall insulation systems,
depending on the local year 'round climate conditions....your
insulation system may not have been such a good choice. I'm no
expert of these installations but if you've go moisture issues at walk
through that would seem to indicate a design or construction problem.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/db/35017.pdf

I found the report a little confusing in the begining (plus I was
reading it on screen.....I do better with paper report)

but it you read & understand most of it, you'll well enough informed
to discuss the problem with your builder.

Some insualtion systems require A/C or active de-humidification to
avoid moisture problems. Hopefully you live where moisture is not a
huge issue but I'm thinking not. :(

My original question(s) still stand......how did it get wet, how will
it dry with a membrane in place AND what will prevent this situation
from happening again? (after you've signed the final check)

be careful

cheers
Bob

Posted by on June 17, 2007, 1:53 pm

Bob,

The source of the moistue is condensation...and yes How will it dry
with the vapor barrier in place? Condensation is from the concrete
being cold and now with the warm air in the house it beginning to
sweat it out.

Posted by Bobk207 on June 18, 2007, 1:50 am

On Jun 17, 10:53 am, hockeyhoc...@hotmail.com wrote:

> Bob,
> The source of the moistue is condensation...and yes How will it dry
> with the vapor barrier in place? Condensation is from the concrete
> being cold and now with the warm air in the house it beginning to
> sweat it out.

The "vapor barrier" is supposed to keep the moisture in the warm
interior air from migrating through the insulation, contacting the
cold concrete wall and condensing.

If the "vapor barrier" is working very little water vapor should be
reaching the cold wall.

Either the membrane is compromised or the source of the moisture is
elsewhere.

cheers
Bob

Posted by Chris on June 26, 2007, 6:07 am

On 17 Jun., 19:53, hockeyhoc...@hotmail.com wrote:

Hello Bob,

my opinion is that the insulation and membrane thing was put on much
too early, so the "rest water" coming from the concrete is now in it,
plus condensation.
I think the best way is to start all over again and rip it of, let the
concrete dry out at least for a couple of months and then put a new
insulaton on that can breath, so to say.
Otherwise you might have the chance of the material to rot later on in
some spots and then you have a good chance to get mold. Fungicides are
not funny. And then you have to decontamine the whole place for the
spores will be all over the builing and in everything in it !
Just tell them that you won't accept it that way and they have to come
up with a propper solution and I think there is just that one. Keep
enough money back so they have to do it right. You might also contact
an external expert.

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