Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com, writes: The short answer is: Don’t use a vapor barrier in a finished basement. This is asking for trouble, especially with a full bathroom, which generates a lot of humid air. Rigid foam board on the interior, like you have, is the ideal insulation.
Does a bathroom need a vapor barrier?
A bathroom is generally a very warm place. This is because whenever warm air meets colder air, the formation of moisture is therefore guaranteed. The vapor barrier is vital as it screens the place where the moisture could definitely form.
Do I need a vapor barrier behind shower?
Moisture barriers stop that water or vapor from getting any farther and potentially rotting your studs, the drywall or greenboard installed behind the enclosure. They are required beneath your shower pan and behind your shower walls.
What happens if you don’t install vapor barrier?
Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage.
Do vapor barriers cause mold?
One of the more common problems with crawl spaces that do not have a crawl space vapor barrier system is that they create high moisture levels, which may result in mold growth – as dampness creates the ideal environment for mold growth.
Should I insulate my bathroom walls?
Insulating behind shower walls improves moisture control, which in turn reduces the chances of mold growth. Apart from retaining heat and minimizing condensation, insulating behind shower walls also provides better acoustics by reducing annoying sounds from outdoors or between rooms.
How do you install a bathroom vapor barrier?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It's insulated behind it all the way down and then your vapor barrier or then go from ceiling. All the way down overlapping about two inches above I keep it off the floor.
Do you need green board behind shower surround?
Paper-faced gypsum board will not prevent moisture penetration and should not be used in wet areas (BSC 2009a). Non-paper-faced fiber-reinforced gypsum board, moisture-resistant gypsum board, or “green board” products are also not recommended behind tub surrounds (BSC 2009a).
Is RedGard a vapor barrier?
It bonds directly to clean metal drains, PVC, stainless steel and ABS drain assemblies and can be used as a slab-on-grade moisture vapor barrier under all types of floor coverings. RedGard® is a liquid-applied elastomeric waterproofing material that cures to form a monolithic membrane.
When should you not use a vapor barrier?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If you're in climate zone. One two or three you don't want any kind of vapor retarder on the inside of the house whatsoever. On the outside of the house you might have a low perm house rap.
Why are vapor barriers bad?
Vapor barriers are supposed to stop vapor diffusion through roofs, walls, and floors. But they can also can trap moisture, causing rot and mold. Where moisture comes from: Water vapor can be forced into wall assemblies from the warm side of the house.
Does mold grow behind vapor barrier in basement?
Commonly installed vapor barriers often cause mold infestations. The real functional reason for most of these installations is to channel water down the inside of the wall into an evacuation system below.
How do you insulate a basement bathroom wall?
Fiberglass insulation should NEVER be used in your basement as a primary source of insulation. A plastic vapor barrier against concrete followed by fiberglass insulation is NEVER a good solution. In order to properly insulate a foundation wall you’ll need some type of foam insulation (spray or board).
Should you insulate interior basement walls?
Walls. Basement walls should be insulated with non-water sensitive insulation that prevents interior air from contacting cold basement surfaces—the concrete structural elements and the rim joist framing.
What type of insulation is best for bathrooms?
When it comes to finding the best insulation for your bathroom walls, spray foam and fiberglass-based insulation materials are both good choices. In terms of pricing, fiberglass insulation is more budget-friendly to use than spray foam insulation.
Do I need to insulate a bathroom?
What needs to be insulated? Properly insulated bathroom reduces energy consumption and saves money. To accomplish this, you have to insulate interior walls and hot water pipes, to minimize heat loss.
Should you put insulation behind shower walls?
When tubs and showers are installed on exterior walls, builders may forget to insulate and air seal the exterior wall behind the tub or shower surround. Neglecting to insulate and air seal here can result in significant heat loss and complaints from homeowners about tubs, showers, and bathrooms that are always cold.
How do you insulate a cold bathroom?
Improving insulation within the bathroom
- Replace silicone sealant on the window edges. …
- Install weather stripping on window or door edges. …
- Window insulation film. …
- Installing proper ventilation. …
- Bleeding a bathroom radiator. …
- Installing a more efficient radiator or towel rail. …
- Water saving shower heads.
How do you insulate interior bathroom walls?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: For years we accomplished this by using a six mil vapor retarder over fiberglass insulation. And it works it works ok vapor barriers need a lot of questions about them.
Why is my bathroom so cold in the winter?
The room feels much cooler than other rooms. All of these hard surfaces actually reflect the cold that’s in the room. In other words, when you’re standing in front of them, they actually make you feel cold because they’re colder than the air temperature typically.
