Conproco Corporation - BELOW - GRADE WATERPROOFING

Buildings should have a grading and landscaping
plan that provides control of all surface water.
Surface drainage must be directed so that water
drains away from the foundation walls on all sides.
Expansive soils are clays that absorb moisture.
These soils expand with enough force to cause
significant damage to walls and slabs.
Expansive soils must be removed and replaced
by a backfill material consisting of stable soil
or gravel.
Concrete, mortar and block are porous building
materials that, if not properly treated, will absorb water.
Waterproofing of below-grade structures should be
continuous and wrap the entire foundation.
All construction joints in below-grade concrete
foundations should have an embedded waterstop.
Waterproofing should be applied to the exposed courses
of block and concrete walls to prevent water penetration
from the roof or run-off from the adjacent soil.
The substrate should be SSD (saturated
surface dry) prior to the application of any
cementitious waterproofing system.
A cove should be constructed at the intersection
of the wall and footing, prior to the application
of the waterproofing system, to direct water
to the drainage system.

Positive and Negative Side

It is always easier and less costly to prevent water
problems during construction, than it is to fix them later.
Dampproofing is the treatment of a surface
to retard the absorption of moisture in the absence
of hydrostatic pressure.
Waterproofing is the treatment of a surface
to prevent the passage of water in the presence
of hydrostatic pressure.
Asphalt dampproofing will break down
under UV and microbiological activity.
They also become brittle and crack with age.
Positive waterproofing is applied on the side
of the foundation at the source of the water and
negative waterproofing is on the opposite side.
A footing drain is an essential feature common
to all types of foundations. It should be installed
continuously around the entire perimeter of
the foundation.