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PWF Foundations

plumb_bob | Posted in General Questions on

There are many houses in my community that were built in the 80s and 90s using wood foundations, some good and some bad. The foundation walls are typically insulated with fiberglass batts with poly to the interior. Also typical is for the batts to be left up from the bottom plate 4″-6″, presumably to keep them from getting wet. This leaves the bottom portion of the stud cavity empty, which of course causes its own problems.

I am looking at several of these houses that need work, mainly to do with drainage to keep bulk water away from the foundations. But I will suggest upgrading the foundation insulation at the same time and ensuring a good air/vapour barrier at the foundation walls.

I have read the “Picasso does foundations” from BSC.

Anybody have experience retrofitting PWFs and care to share information?

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Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #1

    I don't have first-hand experience other than seeing my childhood friend's basement bedroom with PWF walls caving in.

    We had a BS+Beer show on the topic: https://youtu.be/VO0kFJm64S0.

    And some discussion in this episode: https://youtu.be/kV46nq-AkP4

  2. plumb_bob | | #2

    Great thanks, I will check those out.

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