Below Ground Waterproofing – Overview I have compiled the following information based upon my personal experience as a Registered Building Practitioner in Indiana specializing in basement waterproofing applications and with over 30 years in the construction industry. My aim is to inform about the choices of below ground tanking methods, factors involved when selecting foundation repair and basement waterproofing materials and hopefully by knowing this information may also help to identify experienced and knowledgeable applicators. I have witnessed some appalling mistakes in regard to waterproofing and in particular below ground systems. As a builder I truly believe below ground waterproofing is as important as your foundations supporting the entire structure. Without the combination of sound footings and waterproof structures a building will deteriorate rapidly. Unlike some other building components that might be designed to be replaced several times within the overall building service life, below grade systems need to be built to approximate overall service life. Below grade systems are often inaccessible for repairs and extremely costly if modifications are necessary at a future date.
This may go some way to explain some of the hasty decisions made in relation to below ground tanking. Lack of planning has the potential to lead to some very expensive and time consuming future waterproofing rectification projects. Without due diligence and correct time and attention given to the task of planning the below ground waterproof system, corners maybe cut at the time of construction due to the necessity of “on the fly” decisions. It is critical to select the appropriate foundation waterproofing method as a case-by-case project and it is at the planning stage which is the appropriate time for these decisions. Below ground waterproofing is not a generic “one size fits all” scenario and design should be as required by the respective project. For below grade waterproofing design, the sole focus should not be on the initial cost of materials but rather consideration to the life cycle costs of various design options. This is especially important as costs to repair or replace systems that are buried can be exorbitant. The following section provides specific description of waterproofing materials and systems common in foundation walls and below grade building enclosure systems.
Basement Waterproofing Indianapolis has multiple membrane systems are available as either post-applied or preapplied products for use in either positive-side, negative-side, or blind-side applications. Positive-side waterproofing systems are post-applied to the surface of the element that is directly exposed to moisture, typically the exterior side of the foundation wall.Negative-side waterproofing systems are post-applied to the surface of the element opposite the surface exposed to moisture, typically the interior of the foundation wall. Blind-side waterproofing systems are pre-applied to the area where the concrete element will be placed that is directly exposed to moisture. Positive-side systems are available in numerous materials and forms. Negative concrete foundation systems are generally limited to cementitious systems. A blind-side system designed by F.E.W Waterproofing is called F.E.W CLOAKING SYSTEM which is a polyethylene pin punched fabric draped and bonded at the base of footing or top edge of slab to beyond the height of site cut. This “cloak of fabric” is then sprayed with LIQUID RUBBER to completely saturate the fabric forming one continuous seamless barrier or a flexible waterproof screen which is then encouraged into place once the wall has been placed. Design is specific to each project. Waterproofing membranes can be categorized into four types.