Need advise on walls of garden floor

Our contractor started sheet rocking the garden floor but did not put the vapor sheet or insulation behind the sheet rock. Please advise on what to do? The garden floor is the 1st floor but also halfway into the ground so it is kind off a basement I guess as well. Not sure if the vapor sheet is needed. What do you think?

homebuyer

in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years and 11 months ago

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dorkofwindsor | 11 years and 11 months ago

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just a homeowner here – as a practical matter, and as a general statement given all the old houses and water, termite, other pest problems out there, below ground lack of a vapor barrier and insulation is not uncommon. If you have outside walls fully waterproofed from the outside, an interior trench with sumps, and no gutter / yard drainage problems then it is much safer to properly insulate and provide for vapor barrier. Risk of mold is great in these old basements not to mention excellent support and pathways for termites, carpenter ants etc. So i would say without all modern precautions letting the structure breathe is not a bad thing. I have had this very same construction as you and only encounter mold on green board when there is leak or eggregious moisture, and being only drywall instead of insulation holding water like a sponge does not turn into a major disaster. (still working on the water / backyard drain / damp corner / pest issues myself…..) Despite the cold air hitting the warm inside air, the low winter humidity combined with sufficient “leaky house” that it does not condensate on the drywall. Having said that, the interior drywall should have a decent 6-12 inches between the exterior brick to insure proper circulation.

arch007 | 11 years and 11 months ago

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maybe better to use rigid insul. instead of F’glass

arch007 | 11 years and 11 months ago

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IF you were trying to follow the code, insulation would be needed. IF insulated, then a VB is required on the warm side of the insul to prevent it from becoming damp and thus useless or worse. But you are going to have dampness coming into the insul from the exter. from the below ground wall. This is where the code does not provide all the answers. I would put a VB on both sides of the insul. ps. use metal studs so mold can not grow. http://nyc-dob.com

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 11 months ago

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It depends on what kind of insulation was used.