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Finishing an existing basement built c.1899

radioatlas

radioatlas

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Joined
Sep 27, 2018
Messages
25
Location
North Carolina
Daylight basement built c.1899 in a national historic district. Looking for a code reference that dictates finishing existing basement walls with respect to damp-proofing interior walls. Thanks!
 
If it is an "existing" basement, likely not.....Even in current code those requirements are based on either the existence of the foundation itself or "habitable or usable space below grade" which all basements are IMO.....So, finishing it would not be a change to usable and would not require an upgrade by code. If t is going to be finished, it would make sense to solve a moisture issue as to not create a mold issue, but no technically a foundation dampproofing issue
 
I suggest you get a copy of this book and follow its recommendations for basements for the climate you are in

Builder's Guide to Cold Climates

Joseph Lstiburek's Cold Climate version of the Builder's Guide is tailored towards helping contractors apply building science principles to cold regions.
www.buildingscience.com www.buildingscience.com
The North American Cold Climate edition of the Builder's Guide is augmented to provide the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in colder regions.

The code is not always the best place to find the best answer to a question. Remember the code is the worst building you can legally build you can always choose to do better with "best practices"
 
I don't know of any code requirements, but footing drains, under-slab vapor barriers, and a lot of things we do now to keep moisture out of a basement weren't done then. You probably won't be able to keep the walls from getting damp, especially if they are brick, so use treated furring and other materials that are less likely to be damaged by moisture, and keep a dehumidifier running.
 
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