Mould-proof insulation is easy to install
Spray foam kits are perfect for small jobs
Q: What are your thoughts about spraying foam insulation in my basement where the floor frame above meets the outside walls? Should I do the walls, too? A: I’m glad you wrote because conventional basement insulation strategies often lead to moisture problems, condensation, hidden mould and poor indoor air quality.
You’re wise to pay attention to the place where the ends of floor joists above the basement meet outside walls. This is often insulated in a way that leads to mould growth. In fact, I’ve never examined a house where fibre-based insulation stuffed into this space did not show some signs of black or grey mould behind the insulation.
Besides excellent insulation properties, the right kind of spray foam also prevents air infiltration and the formation of condensation on the cold side of the insulation.
I’ve had the most experience with do-it-yourself spray foam kits from a Canadian company called Tiger Foam (tigerfoam.ca, 1-888-8443736). Besides providing the product itself, they also staff a responsive technical support service that offers information on how to best use the product.
Insulating the ends of floor joists is a relatively small job and it can be expensive to call in the spray foam contractor just for this little task. That’s why spray foam kits make more sense. In the case of Tiger Foam, you’ll need to apply at least three inches of foam thickness to meet code requirements for keeping indoor air from condensing behind the insulation.
Spray foam insulation is a good option for basements
An added bonus to this spray foam is the way it expands and seals all cracks and gaps. I don’t know of a better way of keeping drafts out. And yes, it works very well on wall frames, too.
SIMPLE BASEMENT FLOORING
Q: What kind of basement flooring should I install? I’ve torn out 25year-old shag carpet and I’m looking for something that’s economical and durable. Laminate, carpet, wood, tile? I’ve never had any water problems. A: You have many choices and the one that makes the most sense depends on how fancy you want to get. The least expensive and most serviceable option I know of is also the starting point for almost any other kind of floor I’d recommend for a basement. Every home improvement supply store carries subfloor tiles these days, and while these are very effective at creating a warm, dry and comfortable foundation for carpet, click flooring and other products, many subfloor systems can also function as a simple and decent finished basement floor all on their own. I’m thinking in particular of those subfloor products that include oriented strand board (OSB) as the top layer. Protect this material with two or three coats of urethane after installation and it looks surprisingly good. If you ever decide you want something more formal, simply install your new finished flooring on top.
PREVENTING FROZEN CAR DOORS
Q: How can I stop my car doors from freezing shut this winter? Last year I had to climb in the passenger side and use my feet to push the driver’s door open from the inside since I was afraid I’d pull the door handle off if I kept yanking at it. A: Vehicle doors freezing shut are a typically Canadian problem. The root of the difficulty is the same: Liquid moisture between the door itself and the weather stripping freezes as temperatures drop, effectively gluing the door closed. And you’re right to be concerned about pulling too hard on the door handle. I’ve seen them come right off a few times. Pushing from the inside out (assuming you can get into the vehicle at all) is a good way to open a door that’s frozen shut. The best way to prevent the problem from happening in the first place involves regular applications of silicone spray or grease onto the working face of the rubber weather stripping itself. Both are available at auto supply outlets. On my own vehicles I’ve found that a thin application of grease works for a longer period of time than the spray, though the spray is easier to apply. Unfortunately, neither of these products works for a whole winter in my experience. Count on reapplying the silicone during warm spells a couple of times each winter. Some automotive weather stripping is damaged by conventional oil and grease, so use only silicone. Steve Maxwell, syndicated home improvement and woodworking columnist, has shared his DIY tips, how-to videos and product reviews since 1988. Send questions through stevemaxwell.ca/ ask-steve, connect with him on Facebook at Canada’s Handiest Man or follow him on Twitter at @Maxwells_Tips.