Basement Bathroom Need Help!

[glockandhammer]

Hello! I'm brand new here. I hope I have a very easy question for someone to answer. I am finishing my basement. It is framed, pre-wired for electrical (somewhat), and pre-plumbed. The bathroom looks to be framed for a standard 60'' tub or shower insert. The issue is that the back wall is concrete from the floor to about 5 feet up. That part is below grade. The upper 4 feet of the wall is wood framed for exterior. So here is the question? Do have have to put an air barrier and insulation on that concrete before I put the shower or tub insert in? Or can I attach that insert directly to the concrete? The reason this is an issue is that if I frame the wall so I can put the air and insulation I loose roughly 4 inches and the standard insert will not fit anymore. So then I'm left with this oddly shaped wall or something to fit a 48'' insert. FYI I'm trying to use the insert that has both the bottom and side panels. I'm not set on that, it was just the initial idea.

 

[redeyedfly]

Do you have insulation outside your foundation?

 

[glockandhammer]

Not sure. It’s below grade. I’m guessing it’s just concrete and then the actual ground on the other side

 

[BN4537]

Hello! I'm brand new here. I hope I have a very easy question for someone to answer. I am finishing my basement. It is framed, pre-wired for electrical (somewhat), and pre-plumbed. The bathroom looks to be framed for a standard 60'' tub or shower insert. The issue is that the back wall is concrete from the floor to about 5 feet up. That part is below grade. The upper 4 feet of the wall is wood framed for exterior. So here is the question? Do have have to put an air barrier and insulation on that concrete before I put the shower or tub insert in? Or can I attach that insert directly to the concrete? The reason this is an issue is that if I frame the wall so I can put the air and insulation I loose roughly 4 inches and the standard insert will not fit anymore. So then I'm left with this oddly shaped wall or something to fit a 48'' insert. FYI I'm trying to use the insert that has both the bottom and side panels. I'm not set on that, it was just the initial idea.

If it were my house, I would not even think twice about leaving out the air barrier and insulation, especially if you live in Georgia. The concrete wall has enough mass that you would never notice on your energy bill - the concrete is probably more effective at stopping temperature changes than the above grade walls of your house.

If you are trying to comply with energy codes, however, that may not be the correct approach.

Others may comment here, is there any concern with moisture coming through the concrete wall via capillary action (or some other term, I'm not well versed on this subject), and then being trapped behind the shower? I don't think that would be a problem where I am, but don't know if it is different in Georgia?

 

[SCBO1]

Do you know what climate zone your in? You'll have to see if insulation is required? Warm-Humid area? Need to know your adopted code also.

 

[classicT]

I would insulate, but never install a moisture impermeable air barrier on a basement wall. While air does not move through concrete, moisture does. Concrete will always have some moisture in it, and trapping that moisture will lead to mold and rot.