https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/ Building science knowledge, HVAC design, & fun Sun, 07 Sep 2014 06:41:31 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-786 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 06:41:31 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-786 I was considering installing
I was considering installing a WAVE system when I read some negative comments and instead installed a radon fan (165cfm)using 4.5 inch PVC pipe. My humidity went from 60 to 73 in two days so I unpluged the fan. The humidity after two days of the fan being unplugged is down to 67. Where did I go wrong?

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-785 Sun, 04 May 2014 07:08:13 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-785 Ran across this article on
Ran across this article on GBA. Holladay says that Joe L has recanted his statement that basement/foundation walls must be able to drive to the interior.  
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/joe-lstiburek-discusses-basement-insulation-and-vapor-retarders

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-784 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:39:43 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-784 You bring up a good point
You bring up a good point with the lack of capillary break, and likely not one at the footing either. Depending on how much of the wall is exposed on the exterior and what the finish is, the drying might happen there instead. I believe The perm of DryLock is about the same as the XPS, but you could get continuous coverage that is adhered to the wall (no gaps etc.). 
 
There was a discussion about this a while back on the GBA site, started by someone in your area. Check it out, my advice was to give you guys a call! 
 
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/energy-efficiency-and-durability/18364/controlling-humidity-unfinished-block-wall-ba 
 
(Sorry, I’m not HTML savvy and don’t know how to post a true link here)

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-783 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 23:45:11 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-783 Hunter, I’m torn about using
Hunter, I’m torn about using an interior sealant. We do have some efflorescence but no bulk water coming through the walls. My thoughts about this are that by sealing the walls, we might be driving moisture upward to the framing, and there’s no capillary break between the foundation wall and the sill plate. The foam board will slow down the evaporation of water vapor into the basement but still allow the walls to dry somewhat.  
 
On the other hand, I just read on Home Energy Pros about one person who uses a product called RadonSeal. Maybe it’s best to do some wall and floor sealing here, too.  
 
Do you have any good resources for helping to decide whether to seal or not?

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-782 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 23:29:57 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-782 Condo Neighbor, I’d suggest
Condo Neighbor, I’d suggest the dehumidifier owner’s manual for installation and drainage instructions. I believe most dehumidifiers give you the option of having a continuous drainage system instead of having to empty the tank. If that’s what you want, then you need to install the dehumidifier in a place where it can drain by gravity to the outside or to a drain. If that’s not possible, then you hook it up to a small condensate pump, the type used with air conditioners that can’t use gravity to drain the condensate.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-781 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:44:32 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-781 Thanks to both of you. Just
Thanks to both of you. Just what we needed. Basement below grade, but one of these can work.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-780 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 06:25:58 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-780 Allison, I’m curious, in a
Allison, I’m curious, in a case like this would you consider painting the block walls with dry-lock first to control the moisture diffusing through, and then the XPS for the thermal boundary? Is the 1 perm of the XPS what you feel is best for stopping diffusion, but allowing some drying?

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-779 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:12:00 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-779 Dri-Eaz and Phoenix make
Dri-Eaz and Phoenix make dehumidifiers with pumps and tubing to get the water out, but the ones used by SERVPRO for restoration don’t have any feature that stops the dehumidifier if the humidity gets below some desired level.

]]> https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement/#comment-778 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:07:06 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=using-building-science-to-transform-a-damp-musty-basement#comment-778 Very informative!  
Very informative!  
 
Know a couple of good sources for proper installation and drainage of dehumidifiers? 
 

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