ᐅ Uninsulated basement = damp basement?

Created on: 5 Dec 2015 10:13
R
Ricard0
Hello everyone,

The first offer from a developer includes an insulated basement:

- "White tank" (25cm (10 inches) waterproof reinforced concrete), with a bituminous waterproofing layer (reduces vapor diffusion)
- Perimeter insulation
- Barrier layer against rising moisture
- Underfloor heating
- Thermal insulation glazing


So, it would be the perfect basement.

The other developer, whose overall package we now prefer, states the following about the basement in the very sparse building description:

Shared (meaning for both semi-detached units) reinforced concrete slab as a waterproof construction ("white tank"). Thermal insulation on the basement ceiling within the ground floor flooring system. Thermal insulation of the slab in the stairwell area. Walls of reinforced concrete, uninsulated or with edge insulation. The basements are not intended as living spaces. Basement as a waterproof structure. Single-glazed basement windows.

There will also be a radiator in the stairwell area in the basement.


In one of the two basement rooms, laundry washing and beer brewing are planned. I intend to vent the brewing odors out through the basement window. Inside this room, I want to plaster with natural hydraulic lime.

The larger basement room is meant to be used occasionally as a recreational space. Maybe a foosball table, a couch, possibly a home cinema setup.

The building description states that condensation cannot be ruled out under unfavorable weather conditions. That doesn't sound very good to me. Honestly, it also doesn’t seem state-of-the-art, but that might just be my impression.

The basement room with the heat transfer station (district heating) will be mechanically ventilated according to the building description. What does that mean exactly? What should one imagine? Wouldn’t that rather bring in high humidity if warm outside air is pulled in during summer? Or could this ventilation even help remove the vapors produced during brewing in that room?

Now my request for help:

What measures can make the basement suitable for living spaces after all?
Is perimeter insulation on the walls sufficient?
Is adding interior insulation later advisable?
What do you think about the insulation of the slab in the stairwell area as described? From the inside? Could this insulation potentially be extended into one or two other rooms as well?

Regarding the laundry and brewing room: Do you see differences in mold risk between insulated and uninsulated basements in connection with water vapor?


Best regards
Ricard0
wpic8 Dec 2015 09:30
Without information on quantities and dimensions, cost estimates remain purely speculative. Approved 100mm (4 inches) perimeter insulation boards cost at least around €15-20/m² (approximately $16-22/sq ft) for private homeowners at purchase price. Adhesive and possibly dowels are additional costs. Perimeter insulation requires a building waterproofing system, which is either carried out by the developer or provided by the homeowner. These costs must also be included. All measures affecting thermal and moisture protection in areas in contact with the ground must be carried out very carefully and with knowledge of the structural details involved.

Partial insulation of components, as previously explained, leads to an increased risk of condensation forming in the uninsulated areas. Without understanding the spatial relationships and existing constructions, nothing really useful can be said on this topic. The details need to be known.
S
Sebastian79
8 Dec 2015 09:35
Strange, I paid 10 euros per square meter for the purchase – the adhesive cost me 140 euros. Although dowels are allowed for standard waterproof concrete basements, I avoided them.

And honestly: anyone can install the panels without staggered joints – I definitely wouldn’t say the same about producing the building’s waterproofing (not to mention the mess).

We have an 11.50 x 9.50 meter (38 x 31 foot) house, and since this is a semi-detached house, the area is probably on the smaller side, so I consider the price estimates to be realistic...
Ricard08 Dec 2015 10:21
For the semi-detached house, I calculate approximately 60m² (645.8 sq ft) of basement wall area considering one long and two short sides.

Assuming insulation boards cost 20€/m² (approximately 20 €/sq ft), and adding 5% waste, the total comes to about 1260€.
I plan to treat the concrete wall before installation with a bitumen primer (30€, including roller) and a bitumen thick coat (I have not yet found data on the required amount per m²).
The thick bitumen layer would also be used as an adhesive for the insulation boards.

To prevent condensation, I am inquiring about insulation between the floor slab and screed in all basement rooms.

Could there be issues at the party wall? There are only 5cm (2 inches) of mineral wool insulation between the basement walls. The neighbor will likely not insulate their basement.
Is it sufficient to cover the 5cm (2 inches) with the insulation boards and rely on the minimal insulating effect of the mineral wool?

Regards,
Ricardo