Basement / Below Grade Waterproofing

Basement / Below Grade Waterproofing

A further important topic is below grade waterproofing, where we will concentrate on basement waterproofing.

As suggested by the name, below grade waterproofing refers to the process of applying coatings or membranes to the walls of a house or building below ground level in order to prevent water ingress. The importance of waterproofing has already been mentioned, but why basements, why below grade structures? For one thing, good waterproofing serves as a protective barrier between the concrete structure and the ground water, which is especially important in areas where the water table is high because water can contain chemicals that could lead to corrosion and eventually high maintenance costs. Another reason is that below grade structures face a variety of challenges including temperature variations, underground gases, earth movement, pressure from the weight of the building itself and fungal or bacterial attack.

To keep basements or below grade spaces dry, the best option is always to waterproof the positive side (i.e. the side which is in contact with soil) of the basement walls. An example is our pre-applied FPO waterproofing membrane MasterSeal 754 which is highly effective on below ground concrete structures. Consisting of highly flexible polyolefin membrane and a designed non-woven fleece, it provides a durable mechanical bond and saves both time and labor during the application process. If positive-side waterproofing cannot be carried out, especially in remedial jobs, negative-side (i.e. from the inside) waterproofing can be applied. This is not ideal as this method leaves the concrete walls and floors exposed to penetration by humidity and water but can solve the humidity problem on the inside of the below grade room.

Concrete protection against Radon

In addition to preventing water from penetrating or damaging concrete, we should also take Radon gas into account. After smoking, Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer in the general population. Being colorless, odorless, and tasteless, Randon typically moves up through the ground into buildings through cracks, pores and other holes in the foundation. It tends to remain in those houses or buildings where we spend long periods of time like schools or offices. Therefore, its mitigation by the application of waterproofing membranes is especially vital for our health and well-being as well as that of the building themselves. Research has shown that our products offer effective protection again both water and Radon. Find out more about this topic contacting our colleague for further information.

Read more about waterproofing below grade in our blog:

4.3 Our waterproofing systems for below grade constructions

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