Insulating Paneled Basement Walls

Find out whether or not adding insulation to basement walls will increase the R factor. Learn which insulation is best to use to avoid mold when putting up insulation in your basement.

LESLIE: In Florida, Steve finds The Money Pit on WCOA. How can we help you?

STEVE: Hey, I just redid my bathroom in the basement. It’s a half basement; maybe four feet deep.

TOM: OK.

STEVE: There’s a block wall and the paneling was right up against it. If I added tan insulation foam inside the block, would that add an r factor or would it be worth my trouble?

TOM: Well, if it’s below grade, you probably don’t need to put that much insulation in there. It’s better to use a bat insulation along those walls. That’s what they do in the new homes that are constructed to the current model energy code. It’s sort of a silver-face bat insulation that covers the entire wall. You want to be careful putting anything directly against the foundation like that because you could be asking for troubles with mold and moisture and things like that.

LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Well, because moisture’s going to wick right through that concrete whether the foam is in it or not and then that’s going to go right to your paneling.

STEVE: That’s why I want to know – I’m going to keep the water out from the outside and I wanted to know (audio gap). That’s a good idea. Thank you.

TOM: You’re welcome, Steve. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.