Roanoke Basement Waterproofing

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Basement floor insulation needs much consideration when you are looking at making improvements or remodeling your home. The basement can be a dank and damp place and depending on the area you live, it can also be highly susceptible to flooding. There are ways to protect your basement from extensive water damage and prevent it from getting into the foundations of your home, so look around for expert advice on your particular home.

Protection

Each home is different and each set of circumstances will differ. There is no one specific solution for every single home and therefore you must be aware of the conditions your own home poses. If your basement will be ‘finished’ and actually used as an extra room in your home you might need to think about damp protection. Certain climates and areas of the country will have unique conditions which will dictate the level of insulation required.

The depth of the basement compared to the foundations of the house will also be a major factor. Damp protection is the most vital that you will need. Even if the climate you live in is dry and warm most of the year round you might still have issues with condensation and damp in darker, underground places. Your basement may be merely a small crawl space which cannot be utilized as a room and that will need consideration too.

Floors

If your basement has a concrete slab floor you should carefully consider the idea of a vapor diffuser layer which will prevent water and damp damage coming through the foundations of your floor and getting into the basement area. Usually plastic layers or water retardant materials are used between the floor layers to keep water vapor out.

You may need to construct a raised floor to separate the concrete and vapor membrane and allow for air circulation. Always use pressure treated wood for the floor joists, because it will stand heavier abuse than untreated. Lay shorter cross members down to support the floor. You can opt for blanket insulation under the floor of your basement will keep out moisture and keep in warmth. If your sub frame is grid like you will have to cut the blanket insulation to squares the size of the spaces and then placed the floor on top.

You can also use foam board insulation is another great option for protecting your basement. Foam boards are rigid insulators which provide excellent thermal insulation. Most foam boards are polyurethane or Styrofoam and offer a firm base of protection against moisture build up. Lay plywood sheets to create a sub floor on top of the insulation. Pressure treated plywood is the best type because again, it has better resistance to damp, cold and wet conditions.

Flooding

Basement floor insulation will not prevent your home flooding, but it will prevent the damage becoming totally unmanageable. There are varying degrees of flooding. Anything over 2 inches of water is considered a flood and unless your basement has excellent drainage you may find that the water will have no way to exit the space and will seep into the floor, causing serious damage. Blanket insulation will hold water and expand if it is exposed for too long a period.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/basement-floor-insulation-considerations#ixzz0vdXAzfmn