"I've always thought rigid foam was underrated too, especially for DIYers on a budget."
Rigid foam is definitely budget-friendly, but honestly I found spray foam easier to maneuver around tricky corners and irregular spaces. Yeah, it's messy at first...but once you get the hang of it, coverage feels more reliable long-term.
Yeah, it's messy at first...but once you get the hang of it, coverage feels more reliable long-term.
Rigid foam's great for flat surfaces, but yeah, spray foam saved me when insulating around old pipes and uneven stone foundations. Curious though—anyone notice if spray foam holds up better after flooding? Seems like it'd handle moisture differently...
I've found spray foam to be pretty resilient after minor flooding, actually. Had a basement project a few years back where we used closed-cell spray foam around some tricky foundation areas. When we had a heavy storm and some water seeped in, the foam didn't absorb moisture or degrade noticeably. It dried out quickly and seemed unaffected structurally.
But one thing to keep in mind—while spray foam itself handles moisture well, it can sometimes trap water behind it if there's a significant leak or flooding event. That trapped moisture can lead to mold or rot issues down the line if not properly addressed. So it's crucial to have good drainage and waterproofing measures in place alongside insulation.
Has anyone experimented with natural insulation materials like wool or cork in flood-prone areas? I've been curious about their moisture-handling capabilities and long-term durability...
I've been curious about wool insulation myself, especially since it's supposed to naturally wick moisture and resist mold growth. But I wonder how it holds up over time if it gets repeatedly damp—wouldn't it eventually lose some insulating properties or start to degrade? Cork seems promising too, but I'm guessing you'd need to seal it somehow to prevent water absorption. Has anyone seen how these materials actually perform after a few years in a damp basement or crawlspace?
I've used wool insulation in a couple of basement renos, and honestly, it does pretty well—but it's not bulletproof. One project had recurring dampness issues (old house, stubborn foundation leaks), and after about three years, I noticed the wool had compressed slightly and lost a bit of fluffiness. Still insulating, but not as effectively as when fresh. Didn't see mold, though, which was a relief.
Cork, on the other hand... I haven't personally tried it in damp areas, but a buddy of mine did his basement floor with cork tiles. He sealed them thoroughly, but moisture still managed to creep in over time, causing some tiles to warp and lift. Might be different if you're using cork insulation behind walls, but I'd definitely be cautious about relying solely on sealing. Maybe pairing cork with a vapor barrier would help?
Either way, if your basement or crawlspace is consistently damp, fixing the moisture issue first (if possible) is probably your best bet. Insulation can only do so much.
