Insulation’s great, but if the water’s still sneaking in, it just makes things worse.
Totally agree—insulation’s not a magic fix if you’ve got water issues. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- French drains > fancy paint. Paint just flakes off, like you said.
- Rigid foam boards don’t soak up water like fiberglass batts do.
- Vapor barriers on the *warm* side, not the cold side, or you’ll trap moisture.
- If your sump pump isn’t on a battery backup, you’re rolling the dice.
It’s not glamorous, but neither is mold.
Couldn’t agree more about the battery backup for the sump pump—lost power during a storm once and the basement turned into a wading pool. One thing I’d add: check your grading outside. Even the best drains won’t help if water’s pooling against your foundation. Ever tried mineral wool for insulation? It holds up better than fiberglass, but I’m not sure it beats rigid foam for flood-prone spots. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those new “smart” vapor barriers... seems like overkill, but maybe there’s something to it.
