[LazarusGXP]

I'm remodeling the master bath, so I have the walls open. During the 3" of sideways rain yesterday, I was shocked how wet the studs/wall got. I was planning on putting rockwool insulation in the walls to keep the street noise at bay. It is supposedly good with moisture issues as well.

How bad does this look to you? Would you place house wrap in each bay, tight to the back of the clapboards stapled to the studs, and then add the insulation, or just let it breathe as-is? I know caulking the horizontal joints is never recommended but it is temping. I need to tighten up some of the joints, and paint.

This type of storm is rare, and my eaves are huge, so a normal rain event barely hits the clapboards. But every weakness was infiltrated yesterday!

 

[Nealtw]

I wouldn't any more inside until the problem outside is solved and you can live thru a driving rain with out wet anything inside. That is mold and rot just waiting to get started.

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

That only way to fix the problem, is to fix the problem. There is no magic cure. Replace the worn clap boards, seal between them. If you can see light, water can get in. Also, so can rodents like mice.

 

[joecaption]

#1, You did not bother to post your location in your profile so it's hard for anyone to suggest just how much insulation will need.
No place is just 2 X 4's laying flat like that, no sheathing, no house wrap in an occupied space going to pass inspection.
There's just no room for proper wiring, insulation, and as you can see it's going to leak.
Guessing how old that framing looks it's also missing any air blocking at the top and bottom of the stud bays.

 

[LazarusGXP]

#1, You did not bother to post your location in your profile so it's hard for anyone to suggest just how much insulation will need.

Thanks for the comments guy, I appreciate it! I'm in Connecticut, yes this is an old timber framed house from 1900. There is no sheathing, and of course no house wrap. The bottom and top of the stud bays are hand hewn 7x7; I guess that would be an air block right? (see picture)

The house was gutted in the 80s with all interior plaster removed, and fiberglass insulation added with drywall. I've added about 10" of cellulose on top of the 6" of fiberglass in the attic, so my heating bills aren't bad at all, but obviously the walls could be better insulated. The studs are 3x3, so there is very little space to insulate! I am planning on padding out the studs 3/4" in the bathroom and master, and using rockwool instead of fiberglass. Maybe I should have it spray foamed with 1" rigid tight to the siding.

This side of the house (south facing) gets the windy rain, which is why the rest of the original clapboard around the house is in much better condition.

I'm ok with replacing the south wall clapboards, but I'd really hate to remove all of the corner boards and trim. Would it be possible to remove the clapboards, and add house wrap to the framing, then install either pine clapboards or hardi? I know this isn't ideal, but would be better than no wrap right?

Thanks for any help!