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Insulating the Interior of Poured Basement Walls

Brian W| Posted inBuilding Code Questionson

This picture is from building science.com and shows an ICF foundation with insulation under the slab. My question relates to the interior wall plane where the floor slab meets it. Does the code require that the slab make physical contact with the concrete wall? If it does, how do code officials deal with situations like this one with ICF foundations? I wanted to have a similar insulation setup on the interior with poured walls. Prior to pouring the floor I would lay rigid foam along the ground and up the wall – thermally isolating the slab. Would the vapor retarder on top of the floor foam be wrapped part way up the wall prior to pouring the floor? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Replies

  1. Brian W||#1

    Here's the attachment from my post above.

  2. Brian W||#2

    Also, does the capillary break between the footing and the wall get lined with the same WRB that is wrapped or sprayed on the exterior of the wall?

  3. Andy CD Zone 5 - NW Ohio||#3

    Code does not require contact between slab and wall. Thermal isolation of the slab edge as shown in the BSC detail is important, but it doesn't show the critical detail of the vapor retarder. Yes, the poly sheet should be lapped up the foundation wall a ways, and made airtight with sealant before applying the wall insulation. This is best practice for preventing radon entry at the slab edge. After the floor is poured, the crack between it and the wall insulation should also be caulked for the same reason.

  4. Expert Member
    Malcolm Taylor||#4

    Brian,
    I'm not that familiar with your codes, but the IRC does appear to have lateral support requirements for foundation walls. Maybe someone can chime in on how they work.
    http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_4_sec004.htm

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