james f graham

Bill, I don't think I asked that question properly, should have asked for example of how to build that wall in this existing structure. I figure you probably already understood that, but for the record.....

Bill, thanks for the reply and info. Can you point me to the ,"how to build", info on the hygrothermal wall? I have been researching, but if you have a good go to, I would appreciate that. Thanks again.
Jim

heavy blocks, covered with SBC inside and out, rubber coating on outside only, thin foam on outside only. Those are the walls under earth, the south wall is heavy block as well, SBC coated(1/8") and painted with water based paint. All walls are concrete filled cores. .Sorry, I don't know the perm ratings on the sbc or rubber. the sbc was a quickcrete product and I don't remember the rubber coating brand. Sweat only occurs on south open to air walls. As a side note, I inspect for mold and have never found any yet, anywhere.

Thanks Dillon for the reply. My thoughts as well. I thought about 2" foam, with wood siding on that. It would keep the look we were after.

Hello everyone, I am new here and there is so much stuff to learn and absorb, great info.

I built my underground home a little over two years ago and this is my second winter here. I live in middle Tennessee. Winter has really been a cold one here so far. Now that I have been here for two very cold winters, I am trying to figure out how to keep my south facing open wall from sweating. first some info. I built my home by using the stacked block method. filled with re-bar and concrete, on a monolithic foundation. I sprayed the walls inside and out with SBC concrete, trawled down to smooth, then coated two heavy layers of liquid rubber, then a layer of foam sheeting for wall protection, french drains, before backfilling the structure I have 4 windows across the south facing front with a large double door. the three other walls are underground. When it gets really cold, like below freezing, and I am cozy and warm inside, the South wall sweats like crazy. I also use a de-humidifier in the house, but it cannot keep up with the sweating even though it is designed to handle more than my 1320 sq ft home. None of the walls underground sweat, only the South exposed wall. Hind site suggests that maybe I should have built the Southern facing wall out of wood so that it could be insulated well and not sweat. Being block and concrete, it transfers the outside cold and the heat hits it and whamo, moisture. Now I am working on fixing this and could sure use some ideas. Summers are no problem at all. I have given thought to lining the outside wall with Styrofoam and overlaying it with wood, but I am not sure about this yet. Anyhow, I thought I would ask some of you if you have experience with this and if anyone had suggestions to remedy my problem. I hope I have given enough information, if not, ask away and I will answer to the best of my ability. Thanks everyone,
Jim