What to do about ice on a concrete basement wall?
2/1/2021 at 12:09:49 PM
The majority of my basement is finished, except an open mechanical room leading from a finished laundry room. Earlier last week while cleaning I found a puddle of water coming from the walls in the mechanical room and gathering into a covered plumbing access door on the floor. Pulling back some drywall, vapor barrier and insulation I found the bottom of the insulation wet from water gathering and flowing within the steel channel studs. I eventually found the source which is ice accumulated on a section of the concrete wall about 2 feet down from the joists.
I've been in this house for over 16 years and this is the first I've seen this happen. I'm not sure what to do about it.
This seems to be from condensation but I think this is a lot of water and ice to be only condensation and its gathered behind insulation and a vapor barrier.
Suggestions?
2/1/2021 at 4:16:14 PM
Hi Angelo. There could be a few reasons for the ice build up inside the basement. One could be moisture seeping into the basement from outside and freezing due to the temperature being below freezing. Some of the others may involve a cracked foundation, or void in the insulation most likely near the sill plate where lack of insulation is letting moisture or even an open cavity therein. Make sure you remove that wet insulation before mold and mildew sets in. I would also check the exterior foundation wall where that build up was to determine if there are any issues visible from outside as well.
Remi's Reno Team Ltd
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