Kristan writes from Senecaville, Ohio: "On a poured concrete wall basement 5 mos old, we used 1" foamular board insulation, built a 2x4 wall with a 1" air gap behind wall. Then we put r-13 papered insulation up. Why is it sweating? Its not running down wall just wet on the foamular board."

Answer: There are several potential contributors to the situation you describe, with several potential or contributing answers to your question.

1. Basements, especially with new construction components, will have high humidity levels. Higher humidity in a conditioned space with colder walls can help to promote condensation.

2. The foam is actually helping the issue; the insulation, at this time, is hurting. The foam is providing a warmer interior surface to the exterior wall than if you had concrete alone. The R-13 batts are making the exterior wall colder by keeping the warmth away from it. This is why it would not have sweat, or not as much, prior to adding the insulation.

3. Kraft paper is NOT an air barrier. While it is a vapor retarder, it does allow warm moisture-laden air to pass through it to a now colder solid surface - the foam - and condense.

4. You must get the air barrier in place, meaning the drywall. Once the air movement is restricted, the warm moist air will no longer be able to get to the cold surface and there will be no more condensation.

We see this often with new construction. Once the drywall is in place - or a suitable air barrier - the problem goes away.

At this point, DO NOT add the air barrier until the wall and its components are dry. Some moisture will still escape but it is better to have a dry cavity prior to sealing it up.