[PapaHepcat]

We're working on finishing our basement. We've never had trouble with water, dampness, musty smell, etc., at all. We finished the framing and drywall a few weeks ago. This last weekend, I noticed a couple of damp spots in the corner. It's looked like this for a few days now.

Local waterproofing place gave us an estimate on installing a WaterGuard system, but we'd have to rip out all the drywall & framing we just put in.

Water my options (see what I did there)? Has anyone else had something similar?

Did this start happening because I put drywall up?

We attached the framing to the concrete using anchors in the wall, and masonry nails in the floor, but not much and not near that corner.

There used to be a drain in the wall right at that corner. I blocked it off some. Should I have not done that?

 

[PapaHepcat]

Or what about pvc/plastic wall panels instead of drywall?

 

[joecaption]

Sure sounds like for one thing you did it wrong.
There should have been a vapor barrier, foam insulation against the foundation then a 2 X 4 framed wall build, insulate with R-13 insulation then the sheet rock.
There has to be a couple thousand post in the insulation forum on this one subject.
Water proofing needs to be done outside not inside.

 

[oh'mike]

Is this a leak or could it be that the humidity is way high from the drywall mud work?

If you have a leak--you will need to removed drywall in the area of the leak and maybe a stud or two.

 

[PapaHepcat]

Is this a leak or could it be that the humidity is way high from the drywall mud work?

If you have a leak--you will need to removed drywall in the area of the leak and maybe a stud or two.

We've never had a leak down there that I know if. This did appear right after we did mud and texture. Maybe that's it?

But it's only in that one corner. Maybe I'll dry it for now and see if it reappears.

 

[oh'mike]

Put some fans on for a few days---that drywall mud puts a lot of humidity into the air--and that corner is the most likely place to remain moist.

 

[PapaHepcat]

Well, it's been a couple of weeks now. I dried the spot, stuck fans on it for a day, and sprinkled some flour In the corner to see if it'd soak up any water / moisture. No change.

I'm wondering if putting in a dehumidifier would be adequate? Maybe also make a couple of vent-sized holes and cover them with grills to help pull moisture from the back side of the drywall?

 

[Bud9051]

Hi Papa,
"Maybe also make a couple of vent-sized holes and cover them with grills to help pull moisture from the back side of the drywall?"
You are stumbling from bad to worse. I'm afraid what you have is in trouble. Go with a dehumidifier for now to see if you can dry up those areas. The fans as suggested should have helped and if the moisture is from the drywall/mud a couple of weeks is long enough to have seen some progress.

As for how you built what you have I'll add a link that may explain how things should and should not be. If the dehumidifier isn't enough, the next step could be to start over. Even if the dehumidifier works, wood and insulation against the cocrete (I'm assuming) can be a problem.

I'll let you read.
http://buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-103-understanding-basements?full_view=1

Bud

 

[PapaHepcat]

Not sure if it matters, but when I said there was no change, I meant that it's been dry this whole time. Oh, and there are several coats of Drylok as well.

 

[Bud9051]

If it has been dry for 2 weeks, then Mike had the answer, moisture from the drywall.

Pick up a moisture meter and monitor the RH down there through a full year, summer and winter moisture levels. If it rises above 45 or 50% then run a dehumidifier. Measure close to the walls and also measure the temperature same location.

Drylock is supposed to stop water, but it does not stop moisture vapor. Their advertising is good, but their product doesn't always do what people expect.

Bud

 

[PapaHepcat]

Thanks for the input everyone. I appreciate it. This has been stressing the crap out of me.

 

[stadry]

bud's opinion & comment about 'drylock' is most generous & very kind,,, i never thought it was good for much unless i were the owner & wanted a bigger boat,,, never saw any of their advertising other than seeing it on apron/vest store shelving