Finished Basement Walls – Which Ones Survive the Flood

February 1st, 2010 | Posted in Basement Walls

Benjamin Franklin once said that “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Of course, if you’re a homeowner with a basement, you can add one more to the list: flooding.

Are you renovating your basement? Did you consult your plans to Engineering Services provider? If not then better ask first because renovating is also a very sensitive matter especially when the concern part of the house is your basement. Your basement is have the following to be look into before experiencing leakage:

* Pipes
* Washing Machine Hoses
* Water Heaters and Water Storage Tanks
* Sinks
* Tubs and Showers
* Toilets

When this happens, if you’ve remodeled the basement walls with anything that can be ruined by water, you can expect enormous damage and expensive removal and replacement in your future.

So which products should you use when you finish your basement walls? (Hint- it’s not wood wall panels!) Let’s see how a few types measure up to the flood:

Drywall and Stud Basement Refinishing

Verdict: Destroyed by water.

Most contractors recommend tearing out drywall once it’s become wet. Wet drywall will eventually dissolve, releasing hydrogen sulfide, which gives the space the smell of rotten eggs. Additionally, damp drywall and wood will grow mold very quickly, usually within 24 hours.

Even when you can’t see the mold, you can be sure it’s there. Drywall can grow mold on both sides- so even if you clean or remove mold on the visible side, mold spores can still be adding allergens (and potential mycotoxins) as it thrives on the other side.

Fiberglass Remodeled Wall Panel Systems

Verdict: Destroyed by water.

Fiberglass, and other open-celled insulations are porous, and just as they can “breathe”, they can also drown. Fiberglass soaks up water like a sponge, and as it does, it sags and loses its value as insulation.

Bear in mind: Fiberglass isn’t naturally pink. When you receive it, many things have been added to it, including dyes, paper backings, and fiberglass resins. Fiberglass may be inorganic, but these things can- and do- grow mold. To make matters worse, if you’re using a fiberglass wall panel with a fabric backing, these dyes will leak when the panels are wet, leaving stains on the visible surface of the wall.

Cementitious Board and Polystyrene Insulated Wall Panels

Verdict: Survives a Flood!

Cementitious board is a new basement remodeling wall product on the industry- one that’s waterproof and won’t be ruined by basement flooding. Polystyrene insulation is a closed-cell insulation that will never soak up water. Neither material supports any mold growth, and its insulation will never leak dyes onto the wall panels.

As an added benefit, polystyrene is denser than fiberglass insulation will ever be, and when combined with a cementitious board, it can support significant weights without a problem- enough for cabinets, bookshelves, artwork, and other objects.