waterproof-foundation

A basement waterproofing sealant is applied to the outside surface of the foundation before backfilling around the house. This acts as a basement sealer for your home. Some people might refer to it as "damp-proofing" the basement.

You can see the tar sealant on the foundation in this picture before the backfilling has been done. Notice, in the front left hand corner, no sealant is applied to the garage wall which has no basement under it.

You can see this better in the "before" picture of the footings HERE. This footings picture shows the dirt that supports the garage floor before pouring the footings.

Who is going to apply the sealant? When I was asked that question, I was dumbfounded. Sealant? Well, I was brought up to speed quickly.

Be sure the sealant sub specifies that he will supply the sealant, unless you are supplying it. Check the pricing that you can get it for as opposed to what your sealant contractor bids for it. Your contractor will also have to tell you how much sealant you will need if you supply it.

The reality is, if you have leftover tar sealant, what are you going to do with it? Give it to the contractor? Or save it till you build again in 2 years when it would be all hard? This one I opted for letting the sealant contractor supply himself. That way he could use up any leftovers in another job.

You'll need to coordinate with your sealant sub. The sealant is done before the backfilling is done. Be sure you sign a contract with your sealant contractor via the fax line BEFORE he begins. Indicate whether he is providing the sealant and the labor and materials costs. (See Fax line page)

window well on foundation
before pouring flatwork cement

Sealant is either rolled on or if the contractor has the equipment he will spray it on.

The only thing is he has to make sure and get a thick enough coating and not get it above where the dirt meets the cement. It would be impossible to apply stucco if it did.

The sealant for waterproof-foundation needs to be spread clear to the footings with an extra amount where the footings meet the foundation. RL just informed me that had that been done in our case, we wouldn't have had the leakage into the basement. SEE flood in our basement.

MORE
• backfilling around foundation of home
  
  
• window bucks and window wells
  
  
• Building your home as owner/contractor
  
  CEMENT
• Footings
  
  
• Foundations
  
  
• Cement Flatwork
  
  
• Pouring cement steps

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waterproof-foundation
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