The inner surface in colder climates and the outer surface in hot humid climates.
Vapor barrier basement walls minnesota.
The water vapor can come through the concrete from the soil or from indoor air that comes in contact with the concrete.
If you have a framed wall that is adjacent to a concrete foundation wall where the vapor barrier is next to the drywall in front of the studs the fiberglass insulation gets wet and becomes a breeding ground for mold.
A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter.
Vapor retarders such as foundation waterproofing and polyethylene slow down this process.
Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors.
Section r402 2 8 basement walls.
Vapor barrier basement walls minnesota.
Most minnesota homes have basements with either concrete block or poured concrete walls.
While these make sturdy foundations they re poor insulators and have a very low r val ue.
Check the top of the basement foundation.
After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.
On august 26 2020 by amik.
It s dependent on the permeability of the material and the driving force of vapor pressure differential.
Iecc section r402 2 8 basement walls is amended to read as follows.
Therefore an uninsulated basement can account for a significant amount of a home s energy loss.
Walls associated with conditioned basements shall be insulated from the top of the basement wall down to 10 feet 3048 mm below grade or to the top of the footing whichever is less.
Vapor barriers are usually best installed on the side of the wall that experiences the hotter temperature and moister conditions.
With fiber insulation and a vapor barrier moisture can get trapped in the insulation leading to moldy insulation and decay in the wood framing.
Basement wall vapor barrier system in minneapolis saint paul rochester ant mn.
Cleanspace wall is a 100 waterproof plastic vapor barrier that s perfect for unfinished basement walls.
Not every wall does.
In existing spaces oil based paints or vapor barrier latex paints offer an effective moisture barrier.
The problem is that moisture tends to condense on the cool concrete walls.
Air permeable foundation insulation lawriter oac 4101 8 4 01 foundations 2020 basement waterproofing basement wall vapor barrier.
When the mold grows it will spread to everything around it studs drywall etc.