The below-grade foundation is a waterproofing system by the concrete Seattle WA. They have more than one side, which is crucial to managing the healthy structure of your building and controlling both the cost of maintenance and repair because of the moisture percolation. You will require the below-grade water-resistant and drainage solutions of the foundation for the below-grade walls.
As the concrete pores may create cracks from the pressure of the water, the building settles. It will allow the polluted soil vapors or groundwater to get into the structure. But if you can place a barrier between the ground around it and the concrete, it will protect the foundation’s solidity. Ultimately you can save the expensive maintenance and repair services. Surely you will want to stop water and other harmful materials from getting into the structure. So, you will need a top-quality drainboard waterproofing and below-grade waterproofing membrane such as:
- Poly guard below-grade waterproofing
- Drainage board for foundation walls
Advantages Of a Below-Grade Waterproofing System
You will get many significant advantages from utilizing an efficient basement waterproofing drainboard and applying the below-grade waterproofing to the wall of the foundation. Both of them can keep the envelope of the building humidity-free, protecting the natural form of the structure, and finally reducing the repair and maintenance expenses. This will assist you in averting the following below-grade moisture-related issues:
Unexpected major and minor cracks in your walls
- The efflorescence or crystalline form of the salt on the floors and walls of your crawlspace and basement
- Moisture found in the basement or crawlspace may bring an unclean environment and damage by the mold.
- Get odd and offensive odors from the crawlspace and basement
- Bowing walls from both the internal and external sides
The Scientific Explanation Behind the Below-Grade Waterproofing
The waterproof membrane will have the traits to resist any kinds of chemicals which may harm the membrane. Besides, it will also maintain the watertight characteristics of the living things of the structure regularly. The damp environment will work against the constant pressure of the intermittent hydrostatic. You need to think about wicking, which will increase the waterproof power of the below-grade wall.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is mainly the gravitational pull on stagnant and compact water, which can push against your foundation’s below-grade walls. It can happen wholly or partially under the water of the hillside. In addition, the hydrostatic pressure can pressurize the water to any damage or crack in the building. Thus, it makes the water-resistance feature more complex and adds a lot of structural material to your building. Besides, the hydrostatic pressure can find cracks in any foundation, flood a crawlspace or basement, and cause a lot of damage to the structure.
Capillary Action
Capillary action can assist in entering water into the structure only then when the concrete residing below-grade wall will cure evenly. It will form microscopic air tubes, which will let the water penetrate your system. Wicking or capillary action means the capability to flow the water through narrow ways between the penetrable materials of the building like sand, concrete, and aggregates. There is no pressure of gravity. But the tube forms because of cohesive and adhesive forces which will connect the surface and the water. Because of wicking, you can experience dampness like a ring at the base of the building and lateral walls. The capillary water has ingredients like minerals of ammonium compounds, chlorides, sulfates, and salts. All of them can weaken your structure very well.
Halting The Infiltrations of Water to Below-Grade Walls
Between your structure and soil, you can block the water infiltration to the below-grade walls with the help of capillary action and hydrostatic pressure. You have to complete it by applying the drainboard foundation waterproofing and the impermeable membrane.
Various Kinds of Below-Grade Waterproofing Membranes
The two major membrane systems for the waterproofing below-grade walls are:
- Prefabricated sheet membrane systems
- Fluid-applied membrane systems.
Prefabricated Sheet Membrane Systems
Usually, you will find them as modified bitumen, bentonite, thermoplastic membranes, and elastomeric. You can quickly go for the application of the prefabricated membranes like the elastomeric, modified bitumen, and thermoplastic sheets on the surface.
Fluid-Applied Membrane Systems
You will see hot liquid-applied, cold liquid-applied, and single components among fluid-applied membrane systems. You can apply hot and cold liquid waterproofing to prepare the raw surface.
Application Of the Below-Grade Waterproofing
You can apply the waterproofing membranes in three ways. They are:
- Positive-side waterproofing
- Blind-side waterproofing
- Negative-side waterproofing
Positive-Side or Post-Applied Waterproofing
It will happen when you build your wall, and it will need access to the outer part of the building.
Blind-Side Waterproofing
It is pre-applied on the outer part of your foundation even before building the foundation wall.
Negative-Side Waterproofing Membranes
The negative-side waterproofing membranes involve applying water-resistant materials to the inner or dry side of your building. It is done when you won’t be able to use any positive side or blind-side waterproofing.
Conclusions
Building a foundation with concrete Seattle WA will make the thing complex because of so many things. But each time, there is a solution to the problems. So, you need not worry at all. Just contact the contractors with your basic idea, and they will handle the rest.
