Foundation Waterproofing

      

FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING:
If regular inside wall waterproofing and crack patching doesn't solve a leaky foundation wall problem, the very best way to tackle it is to water proof the exterior of the foundation wall. It is costly to do this, and it is time-consuming. However, it is within a do-it-yourselfer's skills if the job is approached with lots of patience.

Dig a trench around the foundation wide enough for you to fit into the trench and deep enough to reach under the foundation footing. Clean off the foundation wall: use a wide scraper for this such as an ice scraper or a flat tiling spade. Scrub the wall down with water from a garden hose and a stiff broom or brush.

Lay a 3-inch bed of medium-sized gravel in the trench. Then lay a row of field tile on the gravel around the bottom of the foundation. The tile should have a slight pitch.

At one corner of the house, where the tile comes together in the downward pitch, run a length of tile out into the lawn about 10 feet. You will need to dig a trench for this, too. Lay the tile on 3 inches of gravel.

Coat the foundation walls, from the footing to grade level, with a thick application of asphalt roofing cement. You can apply this with a trowel and brush. Make sure all areas are covered thoroughly.

Embed a vapor barrier of black emulsified tar solution and asphalt felt. Be sure to overlap the joints of the felt about 4 inches. To prevent water seepage, stick the joints together with asphalt roofing cement.

Let the job dry for a couple of days. Then backfill the earth into the trench. Make sure the fill slopes away from the house at a rate of about 1 inch per foot. Save any leftover dirt. The ground will settle for some time and you will need this dirt to fill depressions.

Foundation waterproofing is expensive and time-consuming, but handled this way, you can usually say good-bye to wet basement walls and floors. You can paint an emulsified tar solution over the foundation; asphalt felt may also be added. The trick is to lap the felt onto the foundation like a roof shingle from bottom to top. The procedures are detailed.

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