Hello!
I am in the process of planning the renovation for my basement which is water-damaged and have scheduled drainage. The question is what to do after that and after removing all loose material, what type of mortar should be used to plaster the walls? Should I frame with an air gap? Is there any point in using gypsum boards in that case?
My first post here! Grateful for any answers
I am in the process of planning the renovation for my basement which is water-damaged and have scheduled drainage. The question is what to do after that and after removing all loose material, what type of mortar should be used to plaster the walls? Should I frame with an air gap? Is there any point in using gypsum boards in that case?
My first post here! Grateful for any answers
Hello and welcome to BH.
Ordinary plaster should work, but it may depend on what material is used in the basement walls.
Framed walls (and floors) should be avoided in basements. It is always a sure way to invite moisture problems/mold. There is no way to build that is not a risk construction, just more or less bad.
Drainage can help against moisture in the walls, but it never prevents ground moisture, which in older houses often migrates through the footing up into the lower parts of the walls, even interior walls. The only reasonable thing to do about it is to use moisture-permeable paint (silicate), and not to place any large non-breathable items/furniture against the walls, or block the floors. Closets and furniture with a base are two examples that should be avoided.
However, conditions are unique for each house/location, so it depends.
Ordinary plaster should work, but it may depend on what material is used in the basement walls.
Framed walls (and floors) should be avoided in basements. It is always a sure way to invite moisture problems/mold. There is no way to build that is not a risk construction, just more or less bad.
Drainage can help against moisture in the walls, but it never prevents ground moisture, which in older houses often migrates through the footing up into the lower parts of the walls, even interior walls. The only reasonable thing to do about it is to use moisture-permeable paint (silicate), and not to place any large non-breathable items/furniture against the walls, or block the floors. Closets and furniture with a base are two examples that should be avoided.
However, conditions are unique for each house/location, so it depends.
I did not have any moisture, for sure. But the previous owner had used wooden studs and insulation directly against the concrete wall. I tore it down right away to see if I could find the telecom cable there, but there was none =)
We tore down everything that was wood and insulation, tracked to hide the electrical wiring. Smoothed it out with fine concrete to get a flat surface. Then we used sto plaster with white color pigments. It turned out really nice =) And we definitely didn't need insulation in the basement.
I'm going to use the same method for the remaining rooms in the basement. Planning to have a bedroom in one of the rooms in the basement as well.
We tore down everything that was wood and insulation, tracked to hide the electrical wiring. Smoothed it out with fine concrete to get a flat surface. Then we used sto plaster with white color pigments. It turned out really nice =) And we definitely didn't need insulation in the basement.
I'm going to use the same method for the remaining rooms in the basement. Planning to have a bedroom in one of the rooms in the basement as well.
