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Re: Basement framing

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Remote Name: 208.46.17.13
Date: 24 Apr 2001
Time: 09:13 AM

Comments

A well written treatment of this subject is available at http://www.nrc.ca/irc/cbd/cbd161e.html which deals with considerations of moisture prevention in finished basements. Also, Builders Websource offers a Tech Note on drainage that discusses the preventative measures that must be taken to keep basements dry. This is available at http://www.builderswebsource.com/techbriefs/drainage.htm.

The key to preventing musty odors is to keep the moisture out in the first place. Once moisture has penetrated the basement, either through the floor or the walls, it is almost impossible to keep it out.

There are petroleum-based waterproofing sealers and top coats that can be applied to the interior surface of the basement wall to help seal it. Furthermore, avoid driving nails into the floor or wall. Instead, use construction adhesives to put vertical 2x2 pressure-treated nailers on the basement wall, on top of a horizontal nailer that's a few inches above the basement slab. Hang the sheetrock from the top and be sure that it doesn't touch the floor, as it will wick up moisture and cause damage.

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