"Wonder if it's actually worth the extra cost, though... closed-cell foam sounds great but the price tag makes me hesitate."
I get your hesitation—closed-cell foam is pricey. After our basement flooded twice, I switched to rigid foam board insulation. It's not as expensive as spray foam, and it doesn't soak up water like fiberglass. Installation was straightforward: cut panels to size, seal edges with waterproof tape, done. Held up pretty well during the last minor flood we had. Might be worth looking into as a middle-ground option.
Rigid foam board worked fine in our garage too, but I found sealing the edges properly was key—missed a spot once and water seeped right in. Did you use any particular brand of waterproof tape or just standard stuff?
"Did you use any particular brand of waterproof tape or just standard stuff?"
Used standard waterproof tape at first... but after similar issues, I switched to that Gorilla waterproof patch & seal stuff. A bit pricier, but it sticks like crazy and hasn't let me down yet, even in heavy rain.
"Used standard waterproof tape at first... but after similar issues, I switched to that Gorilla waterproof patch & seal stuff. A bit pricier, but it sticks like crazy and hasn't let me down yet, even in heavy rain."
I've heard good things about the Gorilla stuff too, but honestly, tape solutions always feel a bit temporary to me. If you're dealing with regular flooding or heavy rains, maybe consider a more permanent fix like sealant paint or waterproof membranes? I tried Drylok in my basement last year and haven't had any moisture issues since... might save you hassle in the long run.
"I've heard good things about the Gorilla stuff too, but honestly, tape solutions always feel a bit temporary to me."
Yeah, I get what you're saying about tape feeling temporary... but sometimes temporary is exactly what you need, right? Like when you're still figuring out exactly where the water's coming from or if you're planning bigger renovations down the line. I've been using Gorilla tape as a quick fix around my windows (first-time homeowner here, still learning as I go 😅), and it's held up surprisingly well through some nasty storms.
But now you've got me curious about Drylok—was it tricky to apply? Did you have to do a lot of prep work beforehand? I'm thinking about tackling my basement next summer, and honestly, anything that saves me from another weekend of mopping up puddles sounds pretty appealing right now...
