Basement Construction Checklist: Five, Six and Seven

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Provided by TUFF-N-DRI

Open brick ledges provide a pathway for water to travel down the basement wall and are a potential source for basement wall leaks. All brick ledges should be sealed and waterproofed. In addition, for block construction, a solid capstone should be used to seal the brick ledges before waterproofing.

proper

After the utilities, drainage tile and the Tuff-N-Dri Waterproofing System have been installed, backfilling begins. Early backfilling against green (non-cured) concrete or block exerts great pressure on foundation walls and is one of the causes of structural cracking and failure. Delay backfilling until concrete has gained strength. Consult your mason or poured wall subcontractor regarding the strength of the foundation walls over time and coordinate with the backfilling crew.

When backfilling around the foundation walls, start slowly at the corners to evenly distribute soil pressures. Then fill the sides. Do not backfill until the top to the walls have adequate lateral support. Different methods of providing support can be used including diagonal bracing, floor joists cast into the top to the wall and floor joists attached on top of the wall with anchor bolts. Do not drive heavy equipment parallel to, or at right angles to the walls, before the walls have had sufficient time to cure. This can exert extra pressure and force structural cracks.

humidity

There are approximately 400 gallons of water in the cement necessary to build the walls of an average-sized poured wall basement. Also, the slab contains approximately 200 gallons of water. Most of the water will escape in the first 3 to 12 months, depending upon weather conditions and whether or not the basement is left open. If the basement is not allowed to dry out by circulating air or running a dehumidifier 1 to 2 months after completion, the water used in the construction can cause high humidity. The high humidity can lead to mildew.

The long term solution to condensation on the basement walls is the Warm-N-Dri insulation board. By insulating the outside of the foundation walls, the wall temperature will tend to be closer to the air temperature of the basement. This reduces condensation problems on the basement walls.