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#701: Basement Waterproofing, Wet Floors and Indoor Humidity

⏱️ 55:02 🎀 Patrick McCombe, Grant Baver, Ian Schwandt, Cari Delahanty
AUDIO EPISODE
#701: Basement Waterproofing, Wet Floors and Indoor Humidity
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Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Redwood for building
    The hosts promote redwood as a sustainable and durable option for various building applications.
  • 0:54
    Fine Homebuilding Summit
    An announcement for the Fine Homebuilding Summit, a two-day event for professionals in residential design and construction.
  • 3:42
    Podcast 701st Episode
    The hosts celebrate the milestone of their 701st episode, thanking listeners and discussing the podcast's history.
  • 10:56
    Concrete Pour Experience
    Grant shares his recent experience with a concrete patio placement and the importance of skilled contractors.
  • 18:49
    Truck Tire Woes
    Ian recounts his ongoing saga with balancing and replacing tires on his Ford Maverick.
  • 28:35
    Brick Production History
    The hosts discuss the history of local brick production in Kingston, NY, and Reading, PA, in response to a listener letter.
  • 42:57
    Basement Flood Saga
    A listener shares a harrowing tale of repeated basement flooding and the critical importance of proper waterproofing.
  • 1:04:59
    Detailed Foundation Waterproofing
    Ian explains his meticulous approach to foundation waterproofing, including detailing footings and using commercial-grade drain tile.
  • 1:14:47
    Damp Ball Cap Mystery
    A listener asks for help solving the mystery of why his cotton ball caps are consistently damp above an HVAC vent.
  • 1:48:09
    Humidity Control Challenges
    The hosts discuss the difficulties of maintaining optimal indoor humidity levels in energy-efficient homes.

Speakers

P
Patrick McCombe
Host β€” senior editor
G
Grant Baver
Host β€” Associate Editor
I
Ian Schwandt
Host β€” Contributing Editor and production manager for TDS Custom Construction
C
Cari Delahanty
Host β€” producer

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize basement waterproofing during new construction or remodeling; the upfront cost is significantly less than addressing future water damage, especially with high water tables.

✦

Inspect and maintain gutters and downspouts regularly, even with leaf filters, as clogs can lead to significant water intrusion around foundations.

✦

When installing a sump pump, ensure all plumbing is correctly routed and securely fitted to prevent discharge back into foundation areas.

✦

For superior foundation drainage, consider wrapping footings with waterproofing membrane and using commercial-grade PVC perforated pipe for drain tile instead of flexible black tubing.

✦

For homes with high indoor humidity, rely on dedicated whole-house dehumidification systems rather than expecting HVAC to solely manage latent loads, especially in well-sealed, low-load homes.

✦

When facing mysterious indoor moisture, consider using a thermal imager to trace potential plumbing leaks, which can travel far from their source.

✦

Be mindful of air circulation around stored items, particularly natural fibers, in humid environments to prevent moisture absorption and dampness.

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