How to finish your basement and avoid toxic MOLD problems

I'M incredibly happy to hear about this all from someone who isn't trying to sell me expensive basement products at the same time. thanks.

This gentleman knows what he's doing. What a great explanation no other contractor explained this subject so well. Great work thank's

This is the best video ive found on basement design and moisture mitigation. Thanks for sharing.

Dude I really appreciate you explaining this stuff, Im not a contractor and do not have the benefit of exposure to typical best practices etc so I have to seek out understanding and it is difficult to find people that know what they are talking about that can break down what processes are in play versus just giving advice as to what you should do. That does not do me much good, I am the type that likes to get a firm grasp of a concept versus following orders and then down the road not knowing how to fix a problem because I did what I was told and not because I understood why. so thanks man!

Five years later, I'm watching this as I'm getting my half-finished basement demolished for mold remediation. I couldn't have found this at a better time. Thank you!

I'm planning to finish my basement in the coming year. I'm working on the exterior (gutters and grading) now since I do get some infiltration during heavy rains. Although you've given me a lot to think about, you completely converted me to metal studs. Great info. Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience!

So glad I came across your video. We are about to finish off a crawlspace. Using metal studs and keeping an air space makes a lot of sense. Appreciate your expertise on preventing mold.

Thank you for this information. I REALLY needed to learn this information and have not found anyone else with your expertise.

I'm also a mold professional. Your video is spot on. Thanks for the info!

So glad I found your video! We just purchased a house and I’m looking into finishing it and your video was so helpful.

Thanks for this informative video. I live in PA as well (Westmoreland Co). We just bought a house out in the sticks too. First order of business was gutting the finished basement. It was a disaster. They firred out the block walls with 2x4’s tapconed flat. Then finished the walls- and ceiling with 7/16” OSB. They used “great stuff” in every conceivable gap- even along the floor where the OSB was flush. This house has a good internal French drain system with dual sump pumps. But they totally sealed off the venting that runs around the perimeter. Some of the spray foam even got into these vents in areas. To make matters worse, the rim joists and sill plates were never flashed and they even had decks on the front and rear with the ledger boards lagged directly to the rim joists with zero flashing! So several feet of the rim joists and mud sills need replacing as well due to rot. With the basement ceiling being “finished “ with the OSB, these areas were actively wet and allowing for a perfect atmosphere for mold to grow. The bottom 20” or so of all the OSB had mold on the inside as well as behind several of the 2x4 firring. The walls would sweat but no place for the water to go along with the rotting rim joists the mold was thriving. We remediated the mold with the best stuff I could find. We did paint with 2 coats of industrial strength dry lock. We are in the process of replacing all the rotted rim joists and sill plates right now. The house will be properly flashed and house wrapped before we install the new vinyl siding. Future plans do call for finishing part of the basement, and I will be utilizing your methods shown here. This is the only video I’ve seen that really addresses these issues properly. Thanks again for sharing!

Wow! Thank you. We’re grateful for all your time, expertise and generosity. We finally decided to finish our basement. Been watching a bazillion videos. So fortunate to find this incredible video.

This video is super for a complete finished basement remodel! He is also the first person out of all basement video to address....you have to fix the water problem on the outside/exterior FIRST!

I was randomly looking at some videos on finishing the basement, happened to click on yours and how pleasantly surprised was I to find a fellow Penn Stater! We Are... Thanks for the video brother!

We are moving and one of projects I will be doing is our basement. This video found me at the prefect time. Thank you

You have an amazingly wide variety of skills and knowledge and the fact that you share your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Wow! I honestly did not want the video to end! It was so insightful and you just seem like a good dude. God bless and thank you for all the tips!

An excellent video on the topic. The best one I've seen on the topic. Five 👍's up! Ron

Thank you soo much, first time home owner which is in Pittsburgh and we were soo excited that we almost looked over mold caught between plastic and the mason wall where they . . . were trying to get every inch.... on their floor space in the basement. Ima need to watch this multiple times to get all the info you share but I am greatly appreciative for this video, God bless

Hey Sean! I am in Maryland and working on a basement, this is super great information. I was planning on doing metal studs and going with the tile as well. I love the idea of space between the studs and the exterior wall, thanks so much!