Hey everyone! I'm renovating my 1955 ranch basement, which is mostly underground, to make space for my in-laws. I'm planning to add a living room, kitchen, master bedroom and bath, plus a guest bedroom connected to the existing basement bathroom.
So here's the scoop: this North Carolina home doesn't have any vapor barrier or weeping tile beneath it, but I haven't noticed much moisture down there. My tests on the cinder block walls and concrete floors showed no moisture after 72 hours, although there's some minor efflorescence on the walls, mainly on the poorly sealed wall with the window. I'm thinking of putting a vapor barrier on both walls and ceilings. Initially, I was going to use Red Guard on the floors and Drylock on the walls, but after a chat with a Home Depot employee, I'm reconsidering and thinking about going with Red Guard for everything. Now, I'm second-guessing this choice and would love your thoughts.
My wall setup is planned as follows: Red Guard (or maybe Drylock) on cinder block walls, followed by XPS foam, then framing directly on the foam, with drywall on top. I'm skipping batt insulation since the foam should be enough, and also skipping any air gaps to save space in the narrow layout.
For the floor, I'm planning just Red Guard on concrete, topped with either waterproof LVP or carpet on a mold-resistant pad. I considered using DRICORE, but it would take away needed headroom. Any experienced DIYers or pros out there—am I on the right track? Am I overdoing it? I'd describe my skills as decent enough to start but often find myself in over my head, so any advice would be awesome!
3 Answers
Liquid applied membranes like Red Guard can cause issues if there's any bulk water behind the wall since it can lead to bigger problems later. I’d recommend considering a dimpled membrane behind the foam layer; it’s better for managing moisture. Just be sure there's a way for any water to drain properly if it gets in. Keeping the floors concrete could also be beneficial to avoid damage. That way, you minimize risks if water does creep in. Basements can be tricky to get right!
I'm not super experienced, but I’ve heard that using Red Guard for basements isn't common. It might be on the pricey side compared to something like Drylock. It sounds smart to be cautious with the setup you’re planning, especially since moisture issues are tricky. I'd definitely weigh the costs vs. the benefits here.
Yeah, I can see how it would get pricey! I think you made a good call looking for the most practical solution instead of just going with what sounds good on paper.
If your tests show no moisture, then using any sealant might not even be necessary. However, if there is moisture, internal coatings may not help much. So it sounds like you might be over-prepping if the tests are accurate!
Good point! A dimpled membrane sounds like a safer bet for water management. Plus, if you do have drainage options in place, that will provide even more protection.