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Q: I have an 1850 farmhouse in northern Vermont with a stone
foundation and a mud floor. I have put in a network of drainpipes, but
the basement stays wet and the humidity moves up into the house, causing
mildew and other headaches. Have you ever heard of putting down a
one-inch layer of lime on a wet mud floor before putting down a vapor
seal membrane? I am worried that, after I lay down the membrane, the
water will eventually get stinky and the scent will permeate the house.
To avert this, a friend suggested that I put down about an inch of
limestone first, then the membrane, then the pea stone. Is the smell
problem a real concern or not? If it is, and lime is not the way, how
would you care for it?
— Andrew, Vermont
A: Tom Silva replies: To make sure you have adequate cross-ventilation in the basement, put in an electric exhaust fan at one end connected to an electronic damper at the other. The fan will pull air out when it gets humid. When it goes on, it will trigger the damper, which will open to let air into the basement. This system pulls air across the basement, insuring that air gets in and out on a regular basis and moist air and smells don't get a chance to enter the rest of the house.
I've never heard of using lime. But if your basement floor is muddy, pea stone is a good idea. I would run a plastic vapor barrier (in large pieces so there are few joints for moisture to seep through) over the floor and up the wall covering the stone foundation. Before you reach the sill, run a thick bead of polyurethane or butyl caulking along it. Bring the vapor barrier up over the caulk and staple it to the sill. The combination of caulking and stapling will insure a tight seal that will keep moisture out. On top of the floor, I'd put two inches of sand and then pour a mud slab or concrete floor at least three inches thick.
Finally, I would insulate the ceiling of the basement. If you use fiberglass, put another vapor barrier up underneath the insulation (so you can see the insulation up through it). Also, weatherstrip the basement door to make it tight. These steps will keep any moisture that does occur from penetrating upstairs. Having heat in the basement in the winter will also help combat your moisture problem.
— Andrew, Vermont
A: Tom Silva replies: To make sure you have adequate cross-ventilation in the basement, put in an electric exhaust fan at one end connected to an electronic damper at the other. The fan will pull air out when it gets humid. When it goes on, it will trigger the damper, which will open to let air into the basement. This system pulls air across the basement, insuring that air gets in and out on a regular basis and moist air and smells don't get a chance to enter the rest of the house.
I've never heard of using lime. But if your basement floor is muddy, pea stone is a good idea. I would run a plastic vapor barrier (in large pieces so there are few joints for moisture to seep through) over the floor and up the wall covering the stone foundation. Before you reach the sill, run a thick bead of polyurethane or butyl caulking along it. Bring the vapor barrier up over the caulk and staple it to the sill. The combination of caulking and stapling will insure a tight seal that will keep moisture out. On top of the floor, I'd put two inches of sand and then pour a mud slab or concrete floor at least three inches thick.
Finally, I would insulate the ceiling of the basement. If you use fiberglass, put another vapor barrier up underneath the insulation (so you can see the insulation up through it). Also, weatherstrip the basement door to make it tight. These steps will keep any moisture that does occur from penetrating upstairs. Having heat in the basement in the winter will also help combat your moisture problem.
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