HOW TO INSTALL APRON INSULATION

Dig an 18 × 24" wide trench next to the wall being insulated. Make sure to have
your local utilities company flag any lines that may be in the area first.

INSULATION SOLUTION: EXTERIOR APRON INSULATION

Insulate foundation walls on the exterior side (and not the interior)
whenever you can. The easiest way to accomplish this is by installing
insulation in the apron area only, so you do not have to excavate all the
way to the bottom of the wall. By adding a layer of horizontal insulation in
the bottom of the trench, you can realize at least 70 percent of the energy
savings of insulating the whole wall, while limiting your digging to 18
inches down and 24 inches out.
Because you will be adding width to the foundation wall by installing
exterior insulation, you will need to install flashing to cover the top of the
insulation layer and whatever protective wall surface you cover it with.

HOW TO INSULATE BASEMENTS

Install rigid foam insulation in basements, both on the exterior and the interior.
Extruded polystyrene (sometimes called beadboard) is an economical choice for
larger areas, and it forms its own vapor retarding layer when properly installed and
sealed. High-density polystyrene and isocyanruate are denser insulation boards with
higher R-values. Isocyanurate usually has one or two foil faces. It is used to seal rim
joists but is a good choice for any basement wall location.

BASEMENTS: INSULATING

Insulating basements is a tricky topic. In colder climates, insulation is
necessary for the successful creation of a livable basement room. But the
practice is fraught with pitfalls that can cause a host of problems. But here
are two pieces of advice that are certain:
• The exterior wall is a far better location for new insulation than the
interior foundation walls.
• Never insulate a wall that is not dry and well drained.
Almost all of the issues surrounding basement wall insulation have to do
with moisture and water vapor. How these issues affect your plans will
depend a great deal on your climate, as well as on the specific
characteristics of your house, your building site, and whether or not your
home was built with foundation drains and a pumping system.

HOW TO REPAIR FLOOR CRACKS

Prepare the crack for the repair materials by knocking away any loose or
deteriorating material and beveling the edges down and outward with a cold chisel.
Sweep or vacuum the debris and thoroughly dampen the repair area. Do not allow any
water to pool, however.

BASEMENT FLOORS

Preparing a concrete floor for carpet, laminate, vinyl, or wood flooringhas been simplified by the introduction of new subfloor products that havebuilt-in vapor barriers and cleats that create a slight air gap between thesubfloor and the concrete slab. This system allows air to circulate,protecting the finished flooring from any slab moisture. The new dry-floorsubfloor systems are less than one inch thick and are very easy to install.