Wet Basement Walls in New Construction

[msc180]

My new home under construction has poured basement walls. Right now interior paintwork has started...the drywallers finished last Friday.

For the first couple months it appeared that the basement walls were dry - there is a working sump pump. I have noticed in several areas of the basement now - the walls are wet.....mostly from the top of the wall about half way down the surface - not everywhere - but in several locations.

The builder says it is just condensation from the drywall installation and that it will dry out in the next couple weeks. We do have several inches of snow on the ground and it has rained several times - that is what worries me.

Is it normal for this much condensation to form on the basement walls due to drywall?

[Rich]

I would consider that pretty normal. If you have gypcrete floors it'll be much worse.

[roger g]

Gee...... I've never heard of that before. Why would the drywall be damp? The only possible damp places would be where it is taped and I sure hope they were dry when sanded and painted. What is there to "dry out" in a drywall wall? I hope your contractor is right.

roger

[Rich]

Read it again roger.. it's not the drywall that's damp it's the poured basement walls. Drywall mud gives off moisture as it's drying creating condensation.

[roger g]

Ahhh... point well taken.

roger

[Vector]

I've been in houses that felt like jungles right after the tapers did their work. Lots and lots of moisture.

[msc180]

Thanks for your responses....I stopped in again yesterday...the painters are now painting the drywall. The basement walls were a little better. You are right about the jungle feeling...It seemed very humid in the house when the drywallers were about done. I will keep my eye on it.