Insulation question

[lizziegrace]

I live in a 160 year old Antebellum. The basement is drafty, as expected. There's no finished ceiling in the basement. Just floor joists and the hardwood floor above. No carpet. Don't want any carpet. Just rugs.

The basement can get very damp when it rains and the water comes down from the surrounding fields. I have two sump pumps and a dehumidifier running.

Can I put insulation up in the basement ceiling between the floor joists? I don't want the stuff to rot or become moldy, as I'm very, very allergic to everything except maple trees and feathers. Oil prices are skyrocketing and I'm trying to find ways to tighten up the old place.

I'm renting, so installing an alternate heat source isn't an option.

Any thought?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Insulate and staple up plastic-industrial grade

Same as is done insulating floor Joyce's under a house that is built on pillar and post with no basement -built up over dirt.So you insulate than staple up plastic all across the Joyce's.you will need help on the install.Make sure that plastic is fastened real good -black is the right color, the thicker the mil,the better. Should cost ya about $100.00 for the plastic roughly. Your insulation should be the same in thickness and width between the floor Joyce's to save on heat.R values and all that.The insulation will be a bit spendy, but worth the expense if yer going to stay there a while-years.

Not sure about your particular situation with the basement but it shouldn't a problem. You can get a consult about it where you will buy insulation. You can figure the plastic is the moisture barrier.

And you might consider informing the ownner about your intentions to find out if the ownner/ownners have any reasons to reject your offer to take it upon yourself to insulate.

There is a insulation product-method for every situation.I don't know if your basement floods a lot or what.

[lizziegrace]

4. That's what I wanted to do

The moisture issue worried me, but the basement doesn't flood often and the sump pumps and dehumidifier help a lot. The house is so old that the 3 of the 4 rooms have floors that are brick on dirt with 5-6 ft ceilings. The room with the furnace and washer/dryer is concrete.

I'll see if the landlord will buy the materials if I help him install it. He will eventually be living here if the economy improves and he can sell his house.

[txlibdem]

5. Don't forget to tuck tape the seams

even a pinhole sized hole in the plastic can let in a pint of water a day or more so staple at the joists but also use the manufacturer recommended tuck tape to seal everything nice and tight.

One other thing, since you're doing all that work, have you thought about putting in some in-floor heating before putting in the insulation?

Also, if you use the expanding foam insulation you won't have to use the plastic or tape at all. It expands to fill all voids and is water proof. Even if you can't get the soy based foam it's still a good deal because of all the fuel oil you'll save by insulating!

[lizziegrace]

6. Thanks for the advice about the tape

the house is a rental and I don't think I'll go so far as to put in floor heating. If I owned this old lady, I'd definitely seal it much tighter.

:)

[quakerboy]

7. I am curious about that foam insulation

I just learned about it the other day. Have you worked with it? I wonder how the pricing compares to regular insulation.

[txlibdem]

8. I'm going to use it on the next house

Spray foam insulation is superior to batt insulation because it seals up all gaps so well. I saw a home improvement show that had a DIY version that comes in a canister about the size of a propane tank (like you use in an outdoor bbq) and two hoses connect at the sprayer nozzle. Everyone I talk to about it says you must use an approved breathing mask and wear a protective suit just the same as the "pros" do. Once it dries it's safe for your family but in the air it will be harmful (so no kiddies or pets around when spraying).

I'm afraid to tear out any of the drywall in the house we're at now because I'm about positive there are huge gaps in the insulation. If you stand on the back porch you can hear the tv in the master bedroom as plain as day (that'll be all I say about that BTW).

[Paper Roses]

2. Hi, I was just thinking of you today as I also put up some

insulation between the rafters in my attic. I stapled the pink stuff to the rafters where I could reach and hope it will be of some help. Got to love these old houses.
BTW, my fireplace covers are a godsend. Thanks so much for the idea. This is the second year for 2 of them and this year I decided to so the kitchen too. I don't build fires anymore so this is an extra saving. Wood is $375.00 a cord and for me, offers very little heat. The FP covers have made a difference in the rooms.

Good luck with the insulation I knew our 'in-house' expert, WsDJ would come to the rescue.

What about that pink foam-like stuff that comes in long sheets? Looked into that? Maybe you could use that and nail it across the floor joists?

[lizziegrace]

3. Hi Stranger!

I'm hoping my landlord will buy the materials and help me put the insulation up. He did when I insulated under the floor of a second floor bedroom that was over an old staircase. We put up the pink stuff and stapled plastic up so the fiberglass dust wouldn't end up all over the canned goods I store on the stairs.

So glad the fireplace covers worked for you. They work well here too. :)

[Paper Roses]

9. Hi lizzygrace, I thought of you yesterday as I finished my

annual insulate the windows chore. Seems like I just took it down from last year. This morning, I put the fireplace covers in place.
Have you done your 27 windows yet? That would be far beyond me. These old bones are too weary.

I hope you have a warm winter. Things in my area have been unseasonably mild but we all know what is coming.
I am hoping to do my Christmas shopping in the next few days.
The adults pulled a name out of a hat.
It is just my 9 and 11 year old grandchildren. I have NO idea what to buy. I'd like to get it right this year. Most of last years presents were too small or too underage for them.
Not sure I care much for the season any more. It has gotten too complicated.

My best to you and yours this holiday season.