Foundation waterproofing
During the construction of any building, it is especially important how correctly the foundation is installed, taking on the main load from the object from above. But foundation waterproofing is no less important, since the base will subsequently be affected by the ingress of moisture, which can cause rot and mold to form on the structural material, which can ultimately lead to the entire building becoming in disrepair.
In addition, waterproofing is of great importance when it is supposed to arrange a basement or a basement in the building, it does not allow melt, ground or rain water to get there.
Do-it-yourself waterproofing the foundation is a rather difficult job, but with a responsible and proper approach it can be done in accordance with accepted building codes and standards.
Stages of waterproofing
Do-it-yourself measures to protect the foundation from moisture should begin with the installation of even boards on both sides of it, and they should be installed with a ledge above the base of the building 3-4 cm. The space formed between the boards is poured with cement mortar, which is carefully leveled and left to harden. . This is done because the surface of the foundation is almost never completely flat, and an air gap can form in the joint between it and the elements of the supporting structures, into which moisture can easily penetrate. After leveling the foundation walls, it is directly protected from water. Its general meaning is as follows: a so-called blind area about 20 cm high is arranged along the perimeter of the base. It should be taken into account that it should be made with an inclination to the side of the building.
Above was described the simplest way, do it yourself. But there is another, where the waterproofing of the foundation is carried out using a material specially designed for these purposes - hydroisol. Here, first, bitumen mastic for waterproofing is applied to the side foundation surface. Then a sheet of hydroisol and a new layer of mastic are applied to it, and on top of another sheet of moisture-proof material.
There is also a more laborious, but reliable method, based on the fact that around the foundation at a distance of about half a meter a trench is dug with a width and depth of about 30 cm. Then clay is poured into the trench and rammed. Then fine gravel is poured and also rammed. From above, everything is poured with a thin layer of concrete mortar, which includes (in a ratio of 1: 3: 2) cement, gravel and sand.
What is important to consider when calculating waterproofing
The waterproofing of the foundation, especially when building a basement in a building, is recommended to be carried out regardless of the presence of groundwater beneath it. If they are present, then for effective protection against moisture there is a need to install a good drainage system. To do this, special grooves with a slope towards the bypass ditch dig along the perimeter of the building, with a three meter indent from it. The point here is that you need to collect the moisture that has come up and take it away from home.
Concrete pipes are laid at the bottom of the dug grooves, with a slope to the drainage ditch, in the walls of which holes are pre-drilled - ground water flows into the internal cavity through them. After laying the pipes, the trenches are covered with gravel, over it with sand, and then everything is covered with simple soil.
From the foregoing, a general conclusion should be drawn: the foundation and basement of buildings of any purpose can be exposed to adverse effects of precipitation or groundwater. For these reasons, mold and rot can form on building materials, in addition, the air in the basement becomes moist and musty. And to avoid such consequences it is possible only by carrying out high-quality waterproofing that meets all building codes and rules.
Features of bitumen mastic
Today, there are many materials for construction, but recently, bitumen mastic has become very popular, which is almost a universal material for processing coatings.
If we talk about its features, then here, first of all, it is worth noting that you can work with this material at temperatures from -5 to +40 degrees.
Any surface that is treated with such mastic has the best performance properties. As for the consumption of this material per square meter, it is approximately 0. 8-1. 8 kg It should be noted that the material quickly grasps the base, and 3-4 hours are enough to completely solidify it.
There are several types of application of such mastic:
- hot use;
- cold application with solvents;
- cold application with a water base.
Moreover, the first type is the most common type of application of such a material. In this way, bitumen waterproofing is carried out. To create it, you need to heat up the mastic to 180 degrees, and then cover it with a base that needs to be insulated. After this, you need to wait a while, and a very strong and elastic coating is formed. Bitumen mastic is also suitable for foundation and for waterproofing pools.
If you want to finish the foundation of your home, then this material will also be useful to you. It is necessary to warm up the mastic again to 160 degrees, and then apply it on the foundation in a small layer. For greater protection, it is worth carrying out such a procedure several times. And after that you can plaster the base, or install the tiles.