House Build 2023

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I have a 20x30 garage that I work in. I dug 2 feet down all around the outside and installed 2 inch closed cell foam. It was well worth it. The floor is a lot warmer. It probably helped a lot that I sealed the foam to the house wrap.

There will be brick all the way down to the footers, so dirt will not actually contact the blocks at all. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Buy the low expansion foam made for windows and take it easy with it. Excessive use of expanding foam will bow the windows.

So I really just need to make a small air dam, not try to fill the whole void?

 

[drumminj]

So I really just need to make a small air dam, not try to fill the whole void?

It does function as insulation, so thicker is theoretically better, but I believe filling the gap/stopping air flow is the primary goal

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Watched a video today Matt Risinger, where they used backer rod, then caulk to seal inside of window, taped outside. Less mess than foam. One point was to shim under the window, to leave a gap big enough to seal.
Wished I’d known all this when I built my house 26 yrs ago.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I foamed all the gaps that were big enough for the foam straw to get to tonight. I have foam all over me...

 

[4570Man]

So I really just need to make a small air dam, not try to fill the whole void?

That’s what I do. If it stops the air gap it’s done 99 percent of its job. Filling the gap completely full won’t help much more and runs a higher chance of warping the window.

 

[4570Man]

Your window/door installer should have done this? (at least mine did).

Definitely recommend this to stop air leaks. Use the yellow great stuff (window and door) vs the white loctite stuff...it's SOO much easier to use. Make sure to use the low-expansion window and door foam though.

(I feel I should always caveat -- I'm not a builder/trade at alll, but on the tail end of my house build and have read/researched a ton along the way)

The framers usually set the windows. They tape the outside but I’ve never seen them foam the inside. That along with the rest of the air sealing is the insulation crews job.

 

[caver]

Watched a video today Matt Risinger, where they used backer rod, then caulk to seal inside of window, taped outside. Less mess than foam. One point was to shim under the window, to leave a gap big enough to seal.
Wished I’d known all this when I built my house 26 yrs ago.

I saw that same video.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Insulation!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

More insulation.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I never really got any solid info here or in real life if the foam around the foundation would be beneficial enough to justify the cost. I went ahead and added it.

It stops below where the final dirt grade will be.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Also added it around the safe room.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I’ve read the best place for basement wall foam is on the outside.

 

[EddieWalker]

Also added it around the safe room.

View attachment 828526

I've never seen electrical lines run outside a house. Am I seeing this right? Are those electrical lines over the window to the left in the picture?

 

[JasperFrank]

Best thing anyone can do before drywall, is a video walk through and to long term print photographs of everything with reference measurements. And save every receipt, for fixtures, and every manual on the white goods. 20 years later, this reference becomes priceless and a huge selling point if you later sell the property.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I've never seen electrical lines run outside a house. Am I seeing this right? Are those electrical lines over the window to the left in the picture?

It is. It was new for me too. I guess it's a thing they do? I assume they did it that way because i really don't have an attic connecting both sides of the house. If the bricklayers ever get here it will all be hidden in the void between wall and brick.

 

[4570Man]

It is. It was new for me too. I guess it's a thing they do? I assume they did it that way because i really don't have an attic connecting both sides of the house. If the bricklayers ever get here it will all be hidden in the void between wall and brick.

I’m surprised the electric inspector went for that idea.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Any idea how to stiffen up this little short wall without having to add an upright to the cieling? I plan on adding an upright if i can't figure out a better solution. I added some concrete anchors and it's still not stiff at all on the exposed corner. This is the only pic i have of the inner structure. It's been sheetrocked and i gotta get it fixed after work today so i can beat the finishers. It's the back of the shower and will be glass the rest of the way up.

 

[EddieWalker]

Fit a 2x6 or bigger board into there, and make an L with it, and the studs at the end. Use screws to tie it into the studs, bottom and top plates. Structural screws are even better!

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I think i see what you are saying. I'll try that first.