Finishing Basement

[srpoly]

Maybe check into this product. It stops all water and vapor transmission through concrete floors and walls. It should help with the insulation issue as well as flooring.
www.dynacreteusa.com

[Cletus]

>I would be careful about getting the insulation too close to
>the concrete walls. If there is any condensation in the
>concrete and it gets into the insulation, it will render the
>insulation ineffective, and hold that moisture against the
>wood and cause rot.
>
>However that is just my opinion. Heard it from some good
>home builders.

"Good Home Builders" that didn't waterproof the exterior side of the foundation walls? Seems like an oxymoron to me. But then I've seen very few "good" home builders.............. most of them are what I call Checkbooks. They write checks (as cheaply as possible) to other people to build a house that they will then sell at a profit to someone else. Most don't know the difference between a 16 penny nail and a deck screw. I like the one that told a homeowner once when asked if the drive way would crack....... "I have two guarantees about concrete. It will crack and it won't burn." Guess he never heard of compaction or an expansion joint........ much less wire mesh.........

[arcticfox46]

Funny, I had the same problem.

What I did was to build a platform the same height as the bottom step. As you walk down the stairs the platform, bottom step, you will need to turn and step off the side.

With the platform you give yourself more room, by the depth of one step tread.

I am not explaining this clearly. I hope the pic helps.

[annie]

Hello everyone. Even I was also having the same problem. Cletus thanks for these ideas. These are really very helpful to solve this kind of problem.

[kip26744]

Hello I am a contract carpenter retired. To finish the basement walls you should cover the walls with light grade tar paper first tis will stop water from making contact with any wood products. I all ways frame the wals will 2x3 and leave a space between the exterior wall and the frame about 1" So you can slide the foam in to and tape the joints with tuck tape . Use a plastic barrier under the frame to stop water from making contact. The frame work should be framed at 24" centers that will give you a space for insulation R12-15 Do not nail to the walls. Fit the frame work tite between the floor and ceiling.This will give you a worm and dry basement. I hope this helped my name is don

[kevinbrown966]

you need to keep in mind that the insulation should not be too close to the concrete walls. they become worthless if the moisture from the concrete reaches the insulation. it might also spoil the wood.