Basement Moisture

loogout1

Some of you guys gave me great advice last time so here goes again. I'm finishing my basement, new sheet rock, doors, tile, carpet, etc. I have one wall that is made out of block, and 90% below grade. I am putting a sheetrock wall with metal studs approx. 8" in front of it. I do not get any water through it but I drylocked it anyway. I have been away on vac. for the past week and have not run the dehumidifier. I just got home and found the entire wall "sweating" little beads of water. Nothing pooled on the ground but the wall is wet non the less. The wall is not entirely rocked yet so I'm thinking if its wet now, it will just be worse when its enclosed entirely. What do I do? I'm totally bugging, I have a kid coming and am trying to get this done before the chaos starts. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks, John.

woodmagman

Do not finish any space until the moisture problem has been solved. I would excavate the exterior of the foundation and start there....moist basements will be a health issue for you and your family.

loogout1

I'm 99% sure the moisture is not coming from outside. It seems to just be condensation, warm damp air meeting cold wall, like a cold drink outside on a hot day. After doing some research, I think that once its completely dried and I put up the last pieces of sheetrock, it will be sealed and the damp "outside" air wont be able to contact the cool wall, thus solving the sweating problem. Any thoughts?

woodmagman

Yes, but if you insulate the foundation on the exterior. The wall will maintain a relative interior tempature. No condinsation..no mold...you are moving the dew point to an area outside of the homes envelope.

loogout1

Gotcha! Thats a excellent point that I wouldn't have thought of. I plan on doing a porch outside that wall in the future so I could take care of it at that time. Hopefully with the sealing up and a dehumidifier I can combat it until then.

gregj

If you are convinced that it is condensation (and your description sounds like it is) then it would be far less trouble and expense to insulate directly against the inside of the wall with a 2" layer of foam board. Don't dig up your yard for a condensation issue.

SHORTGUN

By insulating the wall wouldn't you want the insulating board to have little holes in it so it can breath?

DrewD

I believe I posted on your last thread loogout1 and I hoped it helped. Without seeing your foundation myself it sounds like your right and its just condensation. In response to SHORTGUN if you put up the 2" rigid foam and use a rated joint tape to seal all your seams you will be effectively putting up a vapor barrier. Also foam board has high R-value which means you won't be warming the foundation as much thereby keeping the concrete cold and the interior warm. The same applies to vented roofs, roof deck cold, house warm. Don't allow vapor to condense. I believe I suggested a paperless, mold resistant sheetrock which I hope you are using. Continue to run the dehumidfier to help keep the moisture down and insulate your walls. Also what I do is cut rigid foam board to fit tight between my joists against the rim joist then spray foam the edges giving me a tightly insulated area.

loogout1

Yeah, I think you did post last time also, thanks DrewD. I originally put the foam against the block, but took it off after I noticed drips of water forming at the bottom of the wall(corner of wall and floor). After I took it off, I didn't have a problem and decided to use nothing. The wall is 75% rocked and taped. I left a piece off because I have to change my elec. panel before I finish. Maybe I can shove a couple of pieces in there, against the studs, before I finish it. Somethings better than nothing I guess.