How tight is too tight for a new basement wall?

**Gary in WA** · 01-07-2010, 09:01 PM

" They then sealed the outside with silicone caulk and filled the pipe with insulation" --------------- If they filled it with foam, you should be fine. If it ever needs replacing, Because it's an outside hose-bib, frost-free, to replace needs a wrench on the fitting or sweat it on with a torch. Examine the bib- silver, about 12-16", where it connects to the copper pipe or PEX tubing. Never mind, either way, if it needs swapping out you will have top access it later, at that union. Take a picture of it for future reference, if needed.
The glass batts do almost nothing against air leaks at the rim. Here is some reading for you during all your spare time, lol: http://www.finehomebuilding.com/PDF/Free/021174058.pdf http://bestdrywall.com/files/ReduceCallbacks.pdf
Floating corners, prime before and after texture, etc.: http://www.gypsum.org/pdf/GA-216-07.pdf

Doing a good job!

Be safe, Gary

vseven · 01-07-2010, 09:50 PM

It's filled with regular bat insulation but I can probably pull it out and fill it with foam. In fact I have a little more that needs fire blocked so maybe I'll fill the pipe with the fire block (from what I can tell it's just great stuff that is orange and has a UL listing so it should be fine).

I actually bought a book for the drywall called "Drywall 3rd Edition" by Myron Ferguson, it seems pretty decent. The issue I'm having is the main support is a steel I beam from one side of the house to the other then there is a return duct on one side and a supply duct on the other. There is a gap of 10 - 12" between the supply and the beam and they ran a cold/hot water supply, a gas supply, and a couple other things through this gap. So I really don't want to seal the entire thing as a soffit....I was going to attempt to make two separate soffits and then put in a mini 8" drop ceiling in between them for access to the stuff. I mean the "easy" thing would to make a big soffit but it would be almost 4" wide then. I have a bad feeling that the walls were the easy part.