System and Method for Finishing Basement Walls

Abstract

Waterproof insulating panels 110 are attached to waterproof furring strips 112 installed on an interior surface 113 of a concrete basement wall 800 to create air cavities 150 enclosed therebetween which are in communication with the upper story of a house. A heating cable along the base of the air cavities 150 warms the air therein, such that moist air in the air cavities rises to the upper story of the house and away from the basement bringing the moisture with it, keeping the humidity level of the basement air lower. Finish panels 120 are connected to the insulating panels.

1 . A basement wall assembly comprising:
 an exterior masonry or concrete wall having an interior surface;   a first panel positioned with respect to the exterior wall to define an air cavity between the exterior wall interior surface and the first panel; and   a heated member positioned at the bottom of the air cavity to heat the air in the air cavity, such that air within the air cavity travels upwardly.   
     
     
         2 . A basement wall assembly of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of furring strips are fastened to the exterior wall at the interior surface, and wherein the first panel is attached between two of the plurality of furring strips. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  further comprising a trim panel fastened to the furring strips, such that the first panel is between the trim panel and the furring strips. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the furring strips and the first panel are waterproof. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the heated member comprises a heating cable. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein the heating cable is thermostatically controlled. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the heated member extends within a bed of mortar positioned beneath the air cavity. 
     
     
         8 . A basement wall assembly in a house comprising:
 a concrete exterior basement wall having an interior surface;   a first waterproof furring strip fastened to the interior surface of the exterior wall;   a second waterproof furring strip fastened to the interior surface of the exterior wall and spaced along the interior of the basement wall from the first furring strip;   a first panel fastened to extend between the first furring strip and the second furring strip so as to create air cavities between the furring strips, the exterior wall, and the first panel, the air cavities being in communication with an upper story of the house; and   a heating means positioned at the bottom of the air cavity to heat the air in the air cavity, such that air within the air cavity travels upwardly.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a trim panel fastened to the furring strips, such that the first panel is between the trim panel and the furring strips. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first panel is waterproof. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the heating means comprises a heating cable. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the heating cable is thermostatically controlled. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the heated means extends within a bed of mortar positioned beneath the air cavity. 
     
     
         14 . A method for finishing a basement wall in a house comprising the steps of:
 installing a first waterproof furring strip to an interior surface of the basement wall;   installing a second waterproof furring strip to the interior surface of the basement wall to be spaced sidewardly from the first furring strip;   attaching an insulating panel to extend between the first furring strip and the second furring strip so as to enclose air cavities between the furring strips, the exterior wall, and the insulating panel, the air cavities being in communication with an upper story of the house;   installing a heating means along a base of the air cavity; and   activating the heating means to heat air in the air cavity, such that air within the air cavity travels upwardly.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of activating the heating means comprises thermostatically controlling the heating means to generate heat within the air cavity.