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Just insulated, how long can house sit safely without sheetrock?

Joe Norm| Posted inGeneral Questionson

Hello,

I just finished insulation on Friday, now waiting on the sheetrock.

With the current state of the world, and being in a remote, rural area there is a question of supply chain/available workers for the drywall install.

I am wondering if there will be a problem if the house has to sit for a little bit while we wait this out? Blown-in fiberglass in walls and batts in a ventilated cathedral ceiling. Moisture accumulation within the cavities would be my concern. Not sure if I have any reason to be concerned. Climate 4C.

thanks

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Replies

  1. DCContrarian||#1

    With the HVAC off, if you crack the windows the inside and outside temperatures will equalize and there will be no force driving moisture into the walls. This is what the National Park Service does when they mothball a historic building.

    Make sure you have screens to keep critters out.

  2. Joe Norm||#2

    What would the timeframe be? If they can start in the next couple weeks probably fine, right?

    Climate is pretty mild for vapor drive.

  3. Expert Member
    Rick Evans||#3

    If it were my house, I too would keep the HVAC off and maybe crack a window. You could also tack up some Certainteed Membrain and keep the heat on/windows closed.

  4. Expert Member
    Malcolm Taylor||#4

    Joe,

    You are fine. There is no moisture source except the construction materials themselves in the un-finished house, and no heat. Buildings in the PNW are left like that for years. Crack a couple of windows for a bit of airflow.

    1. Joe Norm||#5

      Thanks Malcom. I'll take your word for it as I know we're in similar climates

      1. Expert Member
        Malcolm Taylor||#6

        Hope you manage to get things back on track before too long. All my projects are shut down too.

        1. Expert Member
          Zephyr7||#7

          Same for me, I’m hoping for no more than a pause of 1-2 months. It’s lost time, but since everyone, everywhere, is affected all my customers and vendors have been very understanding. I’m just hoping we don’t have any nasty unforeseen surprises.

          Bill

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