The foundation is where you get most of your moisture from. The base of
your foundation should be either crushed rock, or 6 inches of compacted
sand to make a floating foundation. Crushed rock is the least labor
intensive as you do not need to compact it. Compacted sand is best if
you live in an area where there is severe ground freezing and heaving.
On top of the sand pad place 6-mil plastic/vinyl barrier and on top of
that rigid-foam insulation. Use Dow Blue Styrofoam under the footings as
only Blue Styrofoam has the necessary resistance against compression
under the footings. On top of this pour your concrete foundation. You
now have a warm, dry floor that will NOT suck the heat out of your house
in winter nor will it be damp.
You can dry stack concrete block and surface bond it which is easier and
has greater strength against lateral loads then morter between the
blocks . Fill the block cavities with sand for increased thermal mass.
Most insulation, especially fiberglass, are mold breeding grounds unless
you keep them dry, and mass will keep the temperature of the house
stable.
Mold will grow on everything, even metal so it is a matter of keeping
things clean and dry. Adding salt to paint also inhibits mold growth.
