Damp proofing installation

Whether you choose roll-on, spray-on, sheeting, flashing, rods, or a combination of products, the best damp proofing materials are safe and effective. They should be completely inert without emitting dangerous VOCs, not require investment in expensive equipment, install in any weather, go on quickly and efficiently, and maximize water resistance.

You can request samples or simply get advice on damp proofing your next project. Search for: Search Button. Toggle navigation. Menu Skip to content. When Is Damp Proofing Necessary? How Does Damp Proofing Work? Damp Proofing With Flashing Material Damp proofing membranes can also be made from polyethylene foil. Damp Proofing Rods Rising damp happens when moisture wicks up through a masonry unit by capillary action. Damp Proof Sheeting Damp proof sheeting is a type of membrane used to prevent rising damp.

Retaining Wall Damp Proofing The purpose of a retaining wall is to hold back the soil when there is a change in ground level. Proper Preparation In order to keep your damp proofing membrane highly effective, always be sure to seal all penetrations prior to using a liquid damp proofing membrane, and overlap the seams in your sheet membrane. This has the potential to cause discoloration, creating a mottled appearance, giving the stone an uneven shading, whereas in normal conditions the limestone retains its even tonality.

Applied damp proofing creates a barrier between the stone and groundwater that also inhibits the development of efflorescence, a term often heard used in concrete, but also relevant to stone masonry. More about concrete vs natural stone here. Some contractors have experienced resistance from clients about damp proofing and might see it as a pain point: an extra day of work for them and extra cost for clients.

The actual process is not all that difficult. Before choosing the damp proofing product be sure to determine the square footage of the stone requiring treatment. Keep in mind that the back, and sometimes the edges of the stones will need an application. Typical coverage ranges from — square feet per 50 pound bag of product.

As with any other building material there are many damp proofing options on the market to choose from. Some products are two-part mixes with a dry and wet component that require mixing in specific proportions to achieve the right consistency, while others come premixed in dry form and only require the addition of water. One example is Masterseal , a portland cement-based coating for masonry that requires a polymer-modified liquid admixture of MasterEmaco A and water, which creates a low maintenance and highly durable waterproof barrier.

Typical Usage Rates: 4. Drill 12mm diameter holes at mm intervals in the mortar course or via the brickwork, angled down to meet the mortar course selected to be at least mm above outside or abutting ground level Fit the extension nozzle to the cartridge tube and load into the skeleton gun Inject cream from the bottom of the hole outwards until the hole is full. Replastering Concentrated Additive for Renders Replastering is an essential job after inserting a chemical damp proof course.

Use these suggested injection depths as a guide and drill the holes to the following depths: For mm walls half brick thick the holes should be mm deep mm walls 1 brick thick the holes should be mm deep mm wall should have mm deep holes mm walls should have mm deep holes The DPC cream that you use will have detailed instructions which you should follow.

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Follow us on Pinterest. Follow us on Tumblr. Rigid fiberglass allows water to drain through it; rigid polyurethane foam rated for soil contact is another option. A gravel layer is added to provide a good backfill for draining. This allows water to flow through the gravel toward the foundation footing where a perforated drain pipe will carry it away from the structure. Foundation wall water barriers help drain water away from the below-grade walls.

What this means to you is peace-of-mind knowing your home has a comprehensive set of measures that minimize the risk of water damage in your basement.

The Building America Field Kit allows you to save items to your profile for review or use on-site. Sign Up or Log In. Scope Images. Additional recommendations are as follows EPA : Poured concrete - If installing below-grade poured concrete, customize the mixture to make it more impermeable to water migration or apply a damp-proof coating directly to the exterior face of the concrete such as a brush or roller-applied asphalt emulsion or sprayed-on closed-cell polyurethane foam.

Masonry block - If applying a damp-proof coating to a rough surface such as concrete masonry block walls, coat the exterior surface of the walls with a layer of parging prior to applying the damp-proof coating. Insulated concrete forms - If installing below-grade insulated concrete forms, use manufacturer-approved materials for damp-proof coating. Wood: Use preservative-treated lumber and sheathing when installing wood products below-grade. Cover the entire exterior surface area with at least a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting that is attached to the wall with the appropriate adhesive.

Figure 1. Moisture infiltrates a concrete basement walls. Figure 2. A below-grade foundation wall is coated with a bitumen damp-proof coating then a dimpled-plastic drainage mat is attached to the wall. Figure 3. A paint-on waterproofing covers the exterior and tops of the concrete block foundation walls and piers to block moisture moving up through the concrete, while foil-faced R insulation lines the inside surface of the exterior walls.

Source: Addison Homes. Figure 4. Preparing Masonry Block Walls for Exterior Damp-Proof Coating The surfaces of concrete masonry block walls must be coated with a layer of parging before damp-proofing can be applied. Customize Below-Grade Concrete Mixture for More Water Impermeability With poured concrete walls, the concrete formula can be adjusted to increase the water-resistance of the concrete. If using wood as a below-grade wall, be sure to do the following for the exterior finish: First, refer to local and national codes and Authority Having Jurisdiction AHJ instructions regarding the required preservative-treated lumber and moisture barrier for your climate zone.

Select the materials that meet all regulations and are recommended for below-grade construction. Install per specifications. The following overall steps are to be considered within the specific code and AHJ instructions. Install preservative-treated lumber for all below-grade walls. This lumber is immersed in a liquid preservative and placed in a pressure chamber to force the chemical into the wood.

It is important to select wood for below-grade applications that has been pressure-treated with an appropriate and code- or jurisdiction-approved preservative for the specific climate zone and application. Ensure the lumber panel joints are sealed the full length with a caulking compound that produces a moisture-proof seal. Cover all below-grade lumber with a moisture barrier: Apply 6-mil-thick polyethylene sheeting or a self-adhesive waterproof membrane to the entire exterior side of the below-grade walls before backfilling.

Lap the joints by 6 inches and seal with manufacturer-recommended adhesive. Ensuring Success. Cold Climates In all climates, but especially in cold climates where there are concerns with frost heave and adfreeze, ensure the ground surface slopes away from the foundation.

Right and Wrong Images. Wrong — The below-grade concrete does not have the correct mixture to be impermeable to moisture. View Image Download. Right — Below-grade concrete has been properly sealed against moisture and is now having insulation installed.