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Wood Paneling Is Rippling/Bubbling

Name: Deana  City: Baltimore

Question: We have a cinder block basement that had paneling on it. We replaced the paneling with new paneling that is now rippling/bubbling. How can we fix it? My husband is not the best handyman, but he tries really hard. The cinder blocks were painted with an anti-moisture sealer. The paneling is nailed onto firring strips with finishing nails. I think we didn't leave enough space for the paneling to expand but how do we fix it? The nails go through the paneling very easily if we try to take it off.

Name: joe | Date: August 7, 2005, 12:31
Answer: Several problems:.............1)Building codes do not allow for basement walls to be framed with furring strips requiring instead that standard stud walls be framed in front of the block by several inches.....2)It is a code violation to install paneling directly over studs. Instead, building codes require that paneling be placed over at least 1/2" drywall to (a)give the paneling rigidity and a surface to which the paneling can also be glued and (b)to provide a 1 hour fire proof wall so that if a fire starts, it can be contained within that room...Your best solution now is to at the very least remove the paneling, install draywall over the furring strips, then nail and glue the paneling to the drywall and studs.