Archive for September, 2009.

Finishing basement walls best way to do it?

I plan to sheet the entire walls with 2 inch foam board then I plan to tapcon screw pressure treated decking on top of the insulation and run screws thru the insulatioin and into the block wall. Then putting drywall into the decking This seems like the easiest way of doing it to me but what thickness decking or whatever I use for studding do i need the smaler the better just so I have more space. Is this the beetst way to insulate or is there a better way? The concrete block is very old but I just resurface everything should I worry about the tapcons in the block? Could they leak water where the screws go thru or anything like that how far do they have to go into the block?

If they are solid walls ( no windows, I prefer to build a wall in front of it. There are several reasons. You can use regular bat insulation. It is much cheaper than foam. Second you have plenty of room to run electrical. Third, screwing studs into the wall on top of the foam is bound to give an uneven wall as the foam will likely compress in areas and your studs will not all be plumb.

Spray foam insulation to get off hands?

I had to use that spray insulation today in my home and now I can not get that sticky off of my hands any suggestions??

Mineral oil or baby oil is the only thing I’ve found to take the stuff off. I use disposable gloves now:)

Hoped it helped

Blocking draft from front door?

Hi,

I am trying to seal the gap around the side of my front door so as to stop the draft coming in. Is there any way I can do this bearing in mind that i’m hopeless at DIY!!!

I’ve heard about self stick insulation foam and non expanding insulation spray foam but i’ve no idea which would be better? Also, I’ve no idea where I could find either????

Thanks,

Gary

Leave the spray foam alone, it’s very messy and you may regret using it.
You can buy self adhesive foam strips to stick where the door meets the frame. It’s easy and can be removed if you get it wrong!
Try hardware shops. DIY, even Woolworths and Wilkinsons stock it.
I’m guessing that you mean between the door and frame not frame and wall which would have to be sealed with mastic.