• Foundation sidewall infiltration
• Standing water or wet basements
• Additional pressures on foundation wall
• Cracks and structural defects
• Sources for mold
• Decay of porous building products

There can be several methods to deal with ground water infiltration. I’ll share with you some common remedies and methods that, when applied correctly, can help reduce or eliminate the negative side effects of ground water infiltration.

When trying to remedy Sidewall water infiltration it is important to have a waterproofing on the exterior of the foundation wall. A common and cost effective method is to apply a mortar based coating called Parging. While mortar/parging is a porous product, it can help seal and even more porous concrete block foundation. When using this method, typically an additional coat or two of asphaltic paint is applied to all areas of the parged foundation that are below grade. Some pre-manufactured foundation systems have warranties against sidewall water infiltration.

There are additional methods and products used in the prevention of water infiltration. The use of a membrane and or a drainage board can also be applied to the foundation wall. These remedies can be a little more expensive however, often create a non porous barrier that is almost impossible for water to penetrate. These products are manufactured specifically for the purpose of waterproofing your basement and if applied correctly, they will offer a manufacturers’ warranty.

Whether an applied masonry and coating method or an applied membrane/drainage board it is essential to pair these methods with an exterior perimeter drain, also known as a French Drain. A French drain is typically a 4” PVC pipe with perforations that is laid in place around the perimeter of your foundation. The installation must be done properly for the drain to do it’s job now and in the future. Some essential installation requirements include…

• Placement of the pipe below the level of the basement concrete slab so that the pipe is at the lowest point possible
• The pipe must be installed on a layer of clean, crushed aggregate or stone and then additional stone surrounding the pipe on all sides. Typically this stone is wrapped with a fabric that serves as a filter to prevent silt from clogging the tiny perforations in the pipe
• Backfilling the side of the foundation wall with clean aggregate also promotes the proper routing of the ground water to the drain pipe and helps to keep saturated soils from creating additional pressure on the foundation and thus preventing cracks and structural failures and defects.

Sometimes water can make its way into a basement from the underside of the basement slab. The most popular way to combat this type of infiltration is to install and interior perimeter drain. An interior perimeter drain is installed below the basement slab and is not unlike a French drain. It is typically a 4” perforated pipe installed around the inside perimeter of the basement wall. The big difference between the interior and exterior drains is that inside, the excess water is channeled to a basin or sump pit and then pumped away from the building using a sump pump. The exterior drain typically diverts water away from the building using gravity and grade allowing the water to flow downhill where it is collected in a drywell simply allowed to surface drain at the proper grade. A drywell is more or less an excavated pit of various sizes filled with clean gravel and again, wrapped with a filter fabric where the excess water is able to percolate into the ground away from the building.

Part two of your home and the water around it will give insight on how to deal with surface water.

Thanks for reading,

Toby

Let Cisney & O’Donnell help you keep your basement dry. We’re here for all of your home remodeling needs. No job is too big or too small. Call Cisney & O’Donnell today!! 800-523-0300