Waterproofing

Waterproofing Your Basement Inside with a Gravity Drain Discharge

We cut linear feet of concrete approximately 10 inches wide near the outside wall, remove the concrete where it was cut and replace it with new concrete after the drainage system is installed.

We then dig a trench and approximately 10 inches wide and the depth will be down to the footing.

This trench includes around the perimeter inside plus any cross trenching needed, it will extend to the foundation wall at the rear, then under the footing and across the yard to a suitable drain area or termination point.

If a block foundation wall is used drill small holes between the ditch and the cavity of the blocks. All the trenching from the beginning to the end will have a free, positive, and gravity drain flow.  To make the waterproofing permanent and safe we do the following:

• Put about one inch of #57 gravel in the bottom of all the inside trenches.
• Place a 4 inch perforated pipe into all the inside trenches.
• Fill the trenches with #57 gravel this includes around the 4 inch perforated pipe and up to the top of the trench.

Instead of the 4 inch perforated pipe, if concrete is covering all or part of the inside use the square piping with the lip on the side, this lip directs surface water into the drain system. All other aspects are applied as with the 4 inch perforated drains.

• Then on the outside from the house to the lower drain or discharge area, connect a 4 inch schedule 40 PVC to the square piping with the lip, or to the 4 inch perforated pipe whichever is used, and extend it to the discharge area at lower ground at the rear.
• Cover the 4 inch schedule 40 PVC with dirt.
• Pack the dirt.
• Seed and straw the non-grass exposed area.
• Cover the end of the schedule 40 PVC with mesh or hardware cloth to prevent small animals from nesting inside the pipe.

Waterproofing Outside the House or Building

This is our typical work when we waterproof the outside of a basement to ensure that water no longer enters the property building.

Preparing To Dig:

1. Install plastic sheeting or plywood on the nearby sidewalks or driveways to protect them.
2. Remove and replace, or work around any fixtures or equipment near the house.
3. Remove all the shrubbery near the house in the areas where we dig.

 Underground Drain From The House To Lower Ground:

Dig across the yard and extend the drain pipe from the corner of the house across the yard to lower ground.  Using a pick and shovel, hand dig around and be mindful of all known utility lines.

Preparing For Drain Pipes:

• Clean the foundation wall of all dirt and install debris type “S” water resistant mortar over the deteriorated blocks and any holes, cracks or any other imperfections.
• Install waterproofing tar over the foundation walls that will be underground.
• Install 6 mill waterproofing membrane over the tar.
• Install 1 inch of #57 gravel in bottom of the trench.

Laying The Drain Pipe And Covering With Gravel And Dirt:

• Install 4 inch perforated drain pipe in the ditch to terminate at the rear corner of the house.
• Install more gravel until the 4 inch drain line is completely covered with several inches of gravel.
• Install biodegradable paper over the top of gravel.
• Backfill the trench with dirt.

 Check Condition Of The Grounds After The Waterproofing Is Complete:

• Replace the dirt to the proper height.
• Bank the dirt at the house with an incline so the surface water will freely flow away from the house.
• The dirt will be smooth and free of rocks or large clods of dirt.
• Seed the areas where we dig and install wheat straw over the seeded area.