WATERPROOFING

WATERPROOFING

DAMP BASEMENT - WE’RE NOT TALKING AN ACTIVE LEAK HERE. RATHER, WE’RE TALKING DAMP WALLS OR FLOORS OR JUST THAT NAGGING, SORT OF DAMPY ATMOSPHERE.

DIAGNOSIS - TAPE A 12" SQUARE PIECE OF PLASTIC TO BOTH AN INTERIOR FOUNDATION WALL AND ANOTHER ONE ON THE FLOOR. 

  1. IF MOISTURE COLLECTS UNDER THE PLASTIC, IT’S COMING FROM OUTSIDE. 
  2.  IF WATER COLLECTS ON TOP OF THE PLASTIC, IT’S CONDENSING OUT OF THE AMBIENT AIR ONTO THE COLD WALL.

IN THE CASE OF RESULT #1, DO ALL THE WATER CONTROL STUFF LIKE:

1- INSPECTING GUTTERS / DOWNSPOUTS FOR PROPER FUNCTION & EXTEND DOWNSPOUTS.

2- INSURE SLOPE OF SOIL AWAY FROM HOUSE IS AT LEAST 6 INCHES IN 10 FEET.

3- KEEP EXCESSIVE FOLIAGE AWAY FROM FOUNDATION SO SOIL CAN DRY PROPERLY.

4- FILL CRACKS IN FLOOR AND WALLS WITH HYDRAULIC CEMENT IF WATER IS SEEPING THROUGH AS FOLLOWS:
  • A) UNDERCUT THE CRACK TO PROVIDE A "KEY" THAT WILL HOLD THE PATCH MATERIAL.
  • B) CLEAN THE CRACK THOROUGHLY.
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  • C) WASH CRACK OUT WITH WATER AND STIFF BRUSH UNTIL WATER RUNS CLEAR.
  • D) FORCE HYDRAULIC CEMENT CONCRETE MATCH MATERIAL INTO CRACK, SMOOTHING IT WITH SURFACE OF EXISTING FLOOR / WALL.
  • E) USE STIFF BRUSH / TROWEL TO APPROXIMATE NEW FINISH TO THAT OF EXISTING.

5- IF PROBLEM PERSISTS, GET IN TO EXCAVATION, PERFORATED PIPE, LAYERS OF 6-MIL POLY SANDWICHED IN A LIQUID PETROCHEMICAL VAPOR BARRIER, WELL-COMPACTED BACKFILL, AND APPLYING WATERPROOFING COATINGS TO INSIDE OF FOUNDATION WALL, EXAMPLE, DRYLOCK BY UGL.

CAUTION- BEFORE FINISHING OUT A BASEMENT, LET IT SIT THROUGH A CYCLE OF SEASONS TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE THERE ARE NO WATER PROBLEMS.

IN THE CASE OF RESULT #2, TRY THE FOLLOWING:

  1. RUN HUMIDIFIER.
  2. VENTILATE BASEMENT WITH OPEN WINDOWS AND A BOX FAN.
  3. INSULATE COLD WATER PIPES TO KEEP THEM FROM "SWEATING".
  4. FRAME UP WALLS INSIDE FOUNDATION WALLS TO KEEP AMBIENT AIR FROM GETTING TO THEM.