How to Insulate the Basement
To understand why it is important to insulate the basement, a small lesson of
physics is necessary. When two objects of different temperature are close to
each other, the warmer one will lose heat and it will cool down. So, knowing
this, it is not a good idea to insulate only the basement ceiling. Insulating
the basement is important to keep the floor of the house warm.
Importance of Basement Insulation
The first thing that comes in one’s mind when wanting to warm up the basement is
adding more heat to increase the comfort. But the effort will be big enough, as
the walls of the basement are cold. To keep the existing heat inside, it is
desirable to start by insulating properly the outside masonry foundation.
Materials to choose are closed-cell foam or fiberglass. Cautions must be taken,
however. Some products might prove inflammable, like closed cell foam, so it is
recommended to cover them with drywall or other fire-resisting materials. The
juncture between the wood framing and the top of the concrete foundation must be
checked, too.
A great enemy for the insulation in older homes is the condensation that forms
during summer. This can soak the materials used in insulating the house and the
damage done is quite unpleasant. The solution to this problem is to remove all
the insulation and to leave the walls like this for one year. This way, the
moisture will dry off.
Dealing with Moisture
Moisture causes enough damage in basements, as the vapors pass through the
masonry walls. There is also the danger of a flood, so insulating is very
important. The best method to do this is to use fiberglass. Even a small
quantity of moisture can lead to the appearance of mold and the interior will
become more and more hard to dry.
It is advisable to check the basement for water leaks, and if there are no signs
of infiltration, try to keep the basement dry. Cover the masonry walls on the
inside with waterproof paint. Another good option is to use extruded polystyrene
foam to keep the moisture out. This particular material tolerates some humidity,
but it also absorbs it acting like a vapor barrier. Beads of polystyrene foam
must be applied to the joints of the basement. They will seal the room and they
will prevent the inside warmer air to cause condensation when the outside
temperature is low.
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