Frost forming in basement corner.

crazyman

Hello,

Just in the middle of conducting a laundry room reno when I noticed that one of the corners has developed some frost. The part that is frosty is above ground. What I'm concerned about is the foundation having a hair-line crack. I have looked and couldn't spot any visible cracks. The part that is frosty has no insulation. Would insulating it be the fix, or is it something a little more major? I do live in an area where it does get quite cold.

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

jklingel

frost, of course, does not form where it is warm, so i think you've answered your own question; insulate! i feel that the best insulation for basements is on the outside, and rigid foam; lots of it if you are in a cold zone. that is going to require flashing over the top of it and under your siding, if they are in the same plane, which is a pita, but necessary. you can insulate w/ rigid inside, too or instead, but make absolutely certain that there is no air going to run around the foam and hit that cold wall. if it does, you'll still have frost there. the hairline cracks? seal from the outside, if at all possible. they could be letting cold air in, if not water when it is warm. do a search here for "insulating basement" and you'll have plenty to read for a while. good luck.

crazyman

Thank you for the reply. That's helps out a lot! Unfortunately, I'm unable to put rigid foam on the outside, the part of the basement that is above ground has parging on it. What I was researching is spray foam for that corner. Do you think that is adviseable? I was looking at it again, and I don't think there's a crack anywhere, I just believe it's the extreme cold that we have had.

Thanks again for the advice and info!

jklingel

i'd defer the spraying foam question (now, anyway) to those that do it. i don't think it will adhere well at all now. with a dry wall, sure. rigid board will also work, and cost a lot less $, but more time. both need to be covered w/ sheetrock or appropriate fire block, as far as i know.

Windows on Wash

SPF will work if the wall is dried out.

Be sure to spray closed cell if you got that route and you will have to check code to see if an intumescent coverage of enough thickness will qualify as the thermal barrier.

Drywall is always a qualified thermal barrier.

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