Rigid foam panels are definitely a solid choice for flood-prone areas. I've seen too many basements ruined by insulation that holds moisture—fiberglass, wool, cellulose, you name it. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're sealing the seams properly with waterproof tape or caulk. Even small gaps can let moisture sneak in over time... learned that lesson the hard way on a client's project a few years back.
Good points on sealing the seams. A couple other details worth mentioning:
- Consider using closed-cell spray foam as an alternative or complement to rigid panels. It expands into cracks and gaps, creating a solid moisture barrier.
- Don't forget the floor-to-wall joint—often overlooked but critical for moisture control.
- If you're framing walls afterward, use metal studs or treated lumber instead of standard wood. Learned that one after seeing mold creep up untreated studs post-flood.
"Even small gaps can let moisture sneak in over time... learned that lesson the hard way on a client's project a few years back."
Yep, moisture always finds a way in eventually...
Totally agree about the closed-cell foam—it's pricey but worth every penny, especially in older homes like mine where nothing lines up perfectly. One more thing I'd suggest is installing a moisture-resistant barrier beneath your flooring. Even treated framing won't save your floors if moisture wicks upwards. Learned this after dealing with warped hardwood in my historic basement... expensive lesson, trust me. Also, keep an eye on humidity levels; even small fluctuations can cause issues over time.
Good call on the moisture barrier—I hadn't thought about moisture wicking up from below. My basement's concrete slab always feels a bit damp, even though there's no visible water. Now I'm wondering if that's what's causing my laminate to buckle slightly at the edges... might have to look into this more closely. Thanks for the heads-up, sounds like you saved me from a pricey mistake down the road.
Had a similar issue in a client's basement last year—laminate edges started curling slightly even though it looked dry. Turned out moisture was sneaking up through the slab. Moisture barrier made all the difference. Might wanna test humidity levels just to be sure...
