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Moisture concerns with adding framing to old brick house

4K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  Stemboat 
#1 ·
I'm concerned about potential future moisture problems.

I bought an 80-90 year old double brick house in Pittsburgh. I began removing the horsehair plaster and lathes in some sections due to water damage, then continued around the house after I found knob & tube wiring and decided to gut it.

I'm going to add framing to the exterior walls (which will also allow me to insulate well). Assuming any cracks in the brick/mortar have been repaired:

1. Can my studs touch the brick wall, or should I leave a space to prevent wicking water?
2. Do I need to add a plastic vapor barrier between the wood and the brick?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide!
 
#2 ·
There are a lot of houses with solid bricks walls in the UK, and many of them have been insulated by fixing studs, either metal or timber to the walls. A vapour check is used on the warm side of the insulation.
However insulated plasterboard(sheetrock) with a built in vapour check is often used instead and can be put up using the dot and dab method.
These sites may help.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk...Home-insulation-glazing/Solid-wall-insulation

http://www.british-gypsum.com/products/plasterboard___accessories/gyproc_thermal.aspx

You do need to be aware that changing the way an old house breathes can sometimes upset the balance of it's moisture control and cause problems.
 
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