Materials for foundation waterproofing. Modern materials for different types of foundation waterproofing The most effective methods of foundation waterproofing

Everyone who, one way or another, has encountered construction, knows what a foundation is and how much the quality of the entire construction depends on it. It is from the foundation that all destruction begins, and it is on the foundation that all adversity and natural disasters fall day after day.

The first and most important enemy of any buildings and especially foundations is water; it is water that causes destruction and salt ledges, which also accelerate the destruction process. Therefore, it is so important to produce high-quality and reliable waterproofing, as well as select materials for it.

Since there are a lot of materials for waterproofing, before making a choice, you should carefully study all the features of the soil on which the foundation stands. First of all, the following factors should be considered:

• The approximate depth at which groundwater flows.
• The volume of soil swelling during the period of soil freezing in spring.
• The type and characteristics of the soil, as well as its homogeneity, that is, find out what components the soil consists of.
• The type of construction and how the building will be used.

Important ! Today there are many special additives that are added to the cement mortar before pouring the foundation. It should be remembered that they cannot act as complete waterproofing, but they significantly improve the characteristics of the solution and extend the service life of the foundation.

Types of waterproofing materials for foundations

The factors listed above should be taken into account as follows: the closer to the surface the groundwater lies, the more protection and waterproofing the foundation needs. The same applies to soil mobility in the spring. If the ground has large vibrations, this indicates that the ground is saturated with moisture, which means that multi-layer waterproofing is required with preliminary laying of geotextile material in the trench before pouring the foundation.

The composition of the soil is also very important, since, for example, sandy soil practically does not absorb water and quickly releases it to depth. Unlike, say, alumina, which not only absorbs a large amount of water, but also does not allow it to dry out for a long time.

Deep penetration waterproofing impregnation

This waterproofing material visually resembles a conventional primer for interior work, but unlike it, it has a more durable composition and thick consistency.

Impregnation protects the foundation from the appearance of efflorescence and fills all microcracks in the concrete, preventing water from accumulating in them and freezing in winter. By the way, impregnation is rarely used as the main and only material for waterproofing, since in the Russian climate you rarely find areas with a minimum of annual precipitation, and it is in such an environment that this material can be used.

Waterproofing plaster for foundation

This method of strengthening the foundation is considered more effective than impregnation, but also rarely acts as the main insulator. Most often, such plaster is used as a surface decorative layer, when waterproofing has already been done underneath it, and the plaster solution only strengthens it.

The peculiarity of such plasters is that they contain special additives and plasticizers, which significantly improve all technical characteristics of the material and affect its service life in difficult conditions. Of course, such a composition of the mixture cannot but affect the price, but considering that a simple cement mortar will have to be redone in a maximum of a couple of years, the cost does not seem so high.

Bitumen coating

Waterproofing bitumen has been used in construction and repair for decades, and over all these years its composition has not undergone significant changes. This material retains moisture well, and at the same time does not decompose even with constant contact with water.

The use of bitumen mastic is necessary when waterproofing foundations and roofs, even if it is not used as the main material. It is used to seal joints and possible cracks that often appear on concrete, especially if it was not allowed to fully settle and further construction began.

Waterproofing with bitumen is very easy to do with your own hands; you just need to melt it in a container and cover all the necessary places with a brush.

Interesting ! Today in stores you can find mastic ready for application in liquid form. In terms of quality, it is absolutely not inferior to its solid counterpart, and working with it is much easier. The only and most significant difference between liquid bitumen is its price, which is much higher.

Rolled foundation insulation

The most popular and effective method of waterproofing a foundation is roll materials. Outwardly, they are very similar to the well-known roofing material, but unlike it, they contain special components that extend their service life.

Today in stores you can also find roofing felt, which costs much less, but here are just a few factors that qualitatively distinguish roll waterproofing:

• More resistant to moisture penetration due to the presence of resistant polymers in the composition.
• Does not fade in the sun and does not crack over time.
• Accepts all curves and shapes of the base, creating high-quality coverage and insulation.
• More resistant to mechanical damage, which often falls on foundations.
• It has the ability to “breathe”, that is, without letting moisture in, it completely expels it out without allowing condensation to accumulate.
• Creates additional insulation and prevents the formation of cold bridges inside the room.

Roll insulators, in turn, can be divided into two types:

Option number two is considered more preferable, since the coating is uniform and uniform, although working with this material is somewhat more difficult. At a minimum, you will need experience and a set of tools.

Of course, if you wish, you can apply weld-on roll insulation with your own hands, and you can see how the whole process happens in the video

Rubber insulation

The most durable, at the same time expensive way to waterproof a foundation. It consists in applying a layer of liquid rubber to the surface, which not only covers the surface, but also penetrates into all the pores of the concrete base, becoming, as it were, one with it.

The complexity of the entire application process lies in the fact that this requires the presence of a special tool, without which the work simply will not work.

Today, many companies are engaged in such insulation, to which you can safely entrust this work.

To summarize all of the above, here is a small table that clearly shows the quality characteristics and features of all materials:

Materials	Specifications
	Moisture resistance	Vapor permeability	Durability	Additional frost protection	Resistant to high temperatures and cracking
Impregnation
Plaster
Roll insulation
Liquid rubber

Methods and methods of application

Regardless of what material is chosen for foundation waterproofing, there are two types of application:

The first method is used to protect surfaces located horizontally, that is, other materials will subsequently be laid on them. Many often neglect this type of insulation, believing that the inside of the foundation is already protected from water and moisture, but this is far from the case.

Horizontal surfaces are also susceptible to cracking, and perhaps this will not be noticeable under further finishing, but then it will lead to irreversible consequences, or, more simply put, it will accelerate the destruction of the entire foundation, which will begin to give increased settlement and entail walls and other structural elements of the house.

As for vertical insulation, we are talking about protecting the visible parts that are most exposed to negative natural influences. Experts advise not to skimp on materials and time in this case, and to use all types of insulation, from deep penetration primer to roll or rubber insulation.

Any type of waterproofing material is designed for use in certain conditions. Waterproofing intended for coating the foundation is no exception. This is a special coating – a special multi-layer coating. Often everyone uses the TechnoNIKOL brand for coating.

Depending on the purpose, it can have different thicknesses, the values ​​of which vary from a millimeter to several tens of millimeters. This depends on the purpose of the material, on the conditions of use under which it will exhibit its waterproofing qualities.

Coating insulation can be used for internal and external protection of premises and buildings.

They all differ in service life, technical characteristics, application methods, composition and device features.

Each specific species is used in appropriate climatic conditions. However, we can responsibly state that durable and relatively inexpensive coating waterproofing materials are always in high demand.

What is this material? Usually these are plastic liquid compositions designed to reliably protect brick and surfaces.

After hardening, the applied product forms a durable, seamless film that has good resistance to mechanical stress and protects against moisture and ultraviolet radiation.

Coating waterproofing must meet the following requirements:

• Guaranteed absolute moisture resistance;
• Durability, resistance to UV rays, moisture and aggressive influences;
• High elasticity, which prevents the material from cracking in case of shrinkage of some fragments, as well as under the influence of harmful climatic conditions.

Materials and types of coating waterproofing

All the variety of materials of this type can be conditionally
London is divided into the following groups:

• Polymer-cement;
• Polymer rubber.

Bitumen mastic originally used as one of the types of rolled roofing felt. Its fundamental difference is that it does not require heating, and therefore it can be used at any time of the year, including cold weather.

Bituminous And polymer cover previously cleaned surfaces: the plastic product evenly fills all the pores and cracks of the surface.

Coating foundation protects it from the harmful effects of groundwater, as well as from deep waters. Mastics will be optimally effective when the depth is approximately 2 meters below the base.

Technology for applying coating waterproofing

Application technology and manufacturers' recommendations suggest covering with 2-4 layers of product, no less.

The exact number of layers depends on the depth at which the foundation is located.

The depth of the base correlates with the thickness of the waterproofing layer as follows:

• Depth more than 5 meters or concrete piles - thickness from 5 mm;
• Depth from 3 to 5 meters – respectively 2-4 mm;
• Depth up to 3 meters – 2 mm thickness.

The technology for applying the material must be carefully followed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Waterproofing The layers are applied independently of each other; before applying the next one, the previous one must dry thoroughly. If the next layer is applied to a damp surface, then after some time it may peel off, then air and moisture get inside, which have a destructive effect.

How can you tell if the waterproofing layer is dry enough? This is not difficult to do; all you need to do is run your palm over the surface. If it sticks and sticks to the skin, then it has not dried out yet.

Dried mastic is soft and elastic to the touch. The drying speed of each individual layer depends on the manufacturer of the material, its composition, the humidity of the surface being treated and the ambient temperature.

Work order

Let us note an important condition. Before you start applying waterproofing material, you need to properly prepare the base. Only in this case will the working qualities of the waterproofing layer work fully.

The quality of adhesion between the surface of the base and the applied mastic depends on an indicator such as humidity. Even low humidity levels can cause deformation of the surface of the protective layer.

The connection between the base and the mastic is broken, it does not hold well, and can peel off and even fall off over time. What humidity indicators are considered the maximum permissible?

For polymer-bitumen and bitumen insulation they should not exceed 4 percent, and for water-based insulation they are slightly higher - 8 percent.

It is strictly forbidden to cover a wet surface with coating mastic.

How do you know if the base has dried enough and can you start working on it? There is a very simple way: A polyethylene film is spread over approximately a square meter of base area. If condensation does not appear from inside within a day, you can start working.

What is a primer? Application rules

- This is a special type of bitumen, which contains various mineral components. They help improve the adhesion of the mastic to the base, providing the material with optimal adhesion.

For each type of foundation, primaries are selected individually. Primer compositions for rubble and brick structures have the highest cost.

To make the primer, use bitumen grade BNK 90/30 or BN 70/30; nefras or gasoline is used as a solvent. The heat resistance of this mixture does not exceed 80 degrees.

For each type of mastic, the primer is selected individually: it is applied evenly over the entire surface in one layer. In the case where there are joints of horizontal and vertical concrete slabs in the foundation, it is worth applying two layers.

The composition is applied with a brush or roller, then wait for it to dry completely.

Coating mastic applied as follows:

After the previous layer has completely hardened, you can move on to the next one.

Reinforcement of coating waterproofing

It will last much longer if you take care of its reinforcement in advance.

Reinforcement is placed at interfaces where sections of the foundation are usually subject to increased pressure.

What can serve as reinforcement? In this capacity, fiberglass or fiberglass is usually used, characterized by a small outer diameter and remarkable flexibility. It is allowed to use rolled materials.

The density of the resulting mesh reinforcement should be from 100 to 150 grams per square meter.

How is it happening? Fiberglass is lightly sunk into the initial layer of mastic, pressed with the help of, then secured with plastic staples. In this case, the adhesion of the reinforced waterproofing to the foundation will be optimal.

Transverse reinforcement is preferable, which thickens the useful waterproofing layer. If there is not enough space for applying mastic, the joints should be deepened. The inner surface is treated with a primer.

This article will discuss in detail the installation of proper waterproofing of the foundation of the house, the walls and floor of the basement, as well as the basement. We will talk about whether it is always necessary to waterproof them, and what will happen if it (waterproofing) is not done. Let's consider the types of waterproofing materials that are best used for these structures and tell us what materials should not be used to waterproof them. We will also dwell on possible defects in the waterproofing of the foundation, basement and plinth and how to eliminate these defects if they have already appeared and prevent them at the stage of waterproofing work.

General requirements for waterproofing

We often do not attach due importance to waterproofing and after some time we observe the results of the destructive influence of water on the structure of the house.

Non-waterproofed basement

It is much easier to prevent these consequences. To do this, it is important to protect the following structures from moisture:

• foundation;
• basement floor and walls;
• base;
• house walls;
• floors on the ground;
• roof;
• junction points of door and window openings.

If you pay attention, almost all the structures of the house are listed here, except, probably, internal partitions.

So, how to properly waterproof your foundation, basement, and other structures? The waterproofing layer of any structure must be continuous and without breaks over the entire insulated surface. A waterproofing layer is installed on the side of the structure that is subject to hydrostatic pressure, or there is a risk of capillary rise and water seepage.

Foundation waterproofing

When should you waterproof your foundation?

Any foundation should be protected from two types of water: surface (precipitation) and underground (groundwater).

The blind area protects against the penetration and negative impact of surface water on the foundation. And this is its main function. You can read more about the blind area in the article: And if there is surface water in any area and the blind area should therefore always be done by everyone without exception, then underground water and, accordingly, waterproofing from it are not always necessary. To say that there is no groundwater in a certain area and the foundation can not be waterproofed there will not be true. After all, in our area there is underground water almost everywhere. The question is the depth of their occurrence relative to the level of the foundation, as well as the level of seasonal rise of groundwater during the spring flood.

1. Waterproofing of the foundation must be done if the groundwater level (GWL) is located at a depth of less than 1 meter from the bottom of the foundation. This value is indicated taking into account the spring rise of the groundwater level, since it often happens that the groundwater level, located at the same depth in summer, rises 1-2 meters higher in the spring due to snow melting. With this arrangement of the groundwater level, waterproofing will protect the foundation from capillary rise of groundwater and for these purposes, coating waterproofing will be sufficient.

2. If the groundwater level lies at a depth of more than 1 m from the bottom of the foundation, then waterproofing, in principle, need not be done. But I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the groundwater level tends to increase not only seasonally - in the spring, but also over time (over the years) due to an increase in building density, due to the installation of drainages in neighboring areas, asphalting of adjacent areas, as well as when creating non-waterproofed artificial reservoirs at a distance of even 1 km. Such changes are usually called long-term fluctuations in groundwater level. Taking them into account, even with a low groundwater level, it is advisable to do at least the most inexpensive waterproofing of the foundation - coating, especially if there is a basement.

3. If the groundwater level is high - above the bottom of the foundation, then in addition to waterproofing, you also need to do drainage to drain water from the foundation.

GWL above the level of the bottom of the foundation

Why can't you just use waterproofing? When water is above the level of the base of the foundation, it creates hydrostatic pressure on the foundation, which reduces the force of the foundation on the foundation. Those. in simple words, the supporting force of the foundation decreases, as a result of which shifts of the foundation and even its overturning can occur if you leave it unloaded on such soils, for example for the winter. Therefore, the foundation must not only be protected from excess moisture, but also the groundwater level must be lowered. And drainage just allows you to lower the groundwater level and thereby reduce the hydrostatic pressure on the foundation, which waterproofing does not provide.

Decrease in ground level

4. Sometimes serious waterproofing of the foundation should be done regardless of the water level. This is necessary if the construction of a house is planned on waterproof or so-called waterproof soils (clay, loams) with layers of permeable soil. Because such soils do not allow surface water to easily escape from permeable areas into the underlying soil layers, and the water moves along the path of least resistance, namely to the foundation. Therefore, it needs to be waterproofed.

Construction on waterproof soil

Note: Soils with filtration coefficient k are considered waterproof<10 -6 см/с. Коэффициент фильтрации, k, см/с (принятая характеристика водопроницаемости грунта) имеет следующие значения для разных грунтов:

• sands10 -2 —10 -4
• sandy loam and loam10 -3 -10 -8
• clay10 -7 -10 -10.

5. Regardless of the groundwater level and type of foundation, it is very important to pay attention to the composition of groundwater (GW), which is shown by geotechnical surveys. In some areas, aggressive gases are found. They negatively affect the load-bearing capacity of concrete, simply destroying it, which is commonly called concrete corrosion.

Concrete corrosion

Therefore, to protect such foundations, it is recommended to construct them from moisture-resistant concrete grade W4 and higher (according to clause 2.9. SNiP 2.03.11-85). And all waterproofing materials used for such foundations must be resistant to aggressive environments. The most dangerous for concrete and mortars are pressure aggressive groundwater.

Next we will analyze the types of waterproofing for different foundations. You can choose the right waterproofing if you know the type of foundation and how “pressurized” the groundwater is, so a few words about this. All groundwater is conventionally divided into suspended, non-pressure, low-pressure, and pressure.

Gravity groundwater- are in direct contact with the atmosphere through the open pores of a permeable medium.

Pressure waters Separated from the atmosphere by relatively waterproof rocks, they have sufficient pressure to self-flow onto the surface of the earth.

Low-pressure waters are in transitional conditions, characteristic of both pressure and non-pressure waters.

suspended waters- the first free-flow waters from the earth's surface are located above the main zone of free-flow waters and represent more or less isolated accumulations of water.

Example of aquifer occurrence

The figure shows the typical occurrence of aquifers represented by sedimentary rocks. In the position where well 1 is installed, the water of horizon B is considered suspended, and the water of horizon C is considered free-flowing. Well 2 passes through suspended water of horizon A, free-flow water of horizon B and pressurized water of horizons B and D. Well 3 penetrates pressurized water in all horizons, with the exception of horizon A.

Thus, in a small area with a simple geological structure within one aquifer, water can be suspended, unconfined and pressurized.

Wherever the GWL is located, the base of any foundation must be laid with a layer of permeable material, for example sand + crushed stone.

Sand-crushed stone cushion from capillary rise of hot water

Such a cushion breaks off the capillary rise of groundwater.

Capillary rise of hot water

Below we will look at how to waterproof foundations of various types and the features inherent in each type.

Waterproofing slab foundation

Slab foundation

It is recommended to waterproof the slab foundation with rolled roofing felt. The waterproofing is placed on the foundation slab. If its surface is uneven, then a leveling screed is first made. Insulation is laid on top of the waterproofing, a screed is made over it, and the floor covering is placed on the screed.

Waterproofing strip foundation

Strip foundations can be waterproofed in various ways.

1. Coating with bitumen mastic.

Coating with bitumen mastic

The most economical option. Suitable in such cases: protecting the foundation from possible capillary rise of ground water, protecting the foundation from possible penetration of surface water. Coating waterproofing does not protect against pressure water, since it cannot withstand a rise of more than 2 meters. This waterproofing is most often and easily damaged, and therefore most often leaks, since it cannot withstand shear and tensile loads. Therefore, such waterproofing must be applied to a flat surface, which must be previously dried, the corners of the house must be rounded, and the waterproofing must also be protected from mechanical damage. Such waterproofing is usually damaged when the pit is backfilled with backfill soil, which often contains construction debris (stones, fragments of reinforcement, glass, etc. debris).

You can protect:

• EPS insulation (considering that the foundation should be insulated to the level of soil freezing);

EPS waterproofing protection

• roll geotextiles, can be needle-punched, it is cheaper than thermally bonded ones, the required density is at least 180 g/m2;
• a pressure wall made of brick, this is sometimes done, but the option is quite labor-intensive and expensive, so it is inferior to the two waterproofing protection options described above;
• If the pit is backfilled with soft soil without debris, for example sand, then it is enough to protect the waterproofing only at the corners of the house, with strips of geotextile 20 cm wide.

2. Waterproofing with roll material.

Waterproofing with roll material

The most commonly used roll material is roofing felt. This is a slightly more expensive option than coating waterproofing, but more durable and durable. If the backfill soil does not contain debris, then such waterproofing may not be protected. The surface of the foundation must be level. The foundation is treated with hot bitumen mastic, onto which at least 2 layers of roofing material are glued with an overlap of 10-20 cm.

3. Sprayed waterproofing.

Sprayed waterproofing

Very easy and quick to apply with a special sprayer. Easily repeats all the unevenness of the foundation, does not require special surface preparation, except for cleaning from dust. More expensive material than conventional bitumen mastic. It requires mandatory reinforcement with thermally bonded geotextile material with a density of at least 130 g/m2, which simultaneously performs a protective function for this waterproofing. The material is quite expensive and it is economically beneficial to use it for foundations of complex shapes (which are difficult to cover with rolled material) or for foundations laid very close to another building (that is, if it is very inconvenient to waterproof such a foundation due to the lack of free access to it).

In addition to the methods described, you can perform waterproofing by applying 25-30 mm of cement mortar at a water pressure of up to 20 m.

Waterproofing with cement mortar

It is also possible to waterproof the foundation with various penetrating waterproofing materials (a mixture of cement, quartz sand and active additives), which protects the foundation from excess moisture and some chemical compounds (depending on the brand of waterproofing), but such material is quite expensive.

Penetrating waterproofing

Waterproofing the foundation for a foundation pit with 90° walls.

Pit with a wall slope of 90 degrees

Sometimes the foundation is built close to the walls of the pit; this is the only possible option under cramped construction conditions. In this case, the pit is built with walls at an angle of 90°, pressure walls are erected close to the walls of the pit, and waterproofing material is nailed to them (or first drainage and then waterproofing, depending on the groundwater level). The formwork is installed at a distance from the pressure wall equal to the width of the future foundation. And into the resulting formwork (on one side there is a pressure wall with waterproofing, on the other - just formwork), pre-tied reinforcement is laid and the foundation is poured. The pressure wall with waterproofing in this case is called “lost formwork”, since it is not removed, but remains in the ground If in cramped conditions a foundation is built from blocks, then the blocks are laid at a short distance from the pressure wall and the resulting distance between the block foundation and the waterproofed pressure wall is filled with mortar.

Protecting walls from capillary rising moisture

Capillary rise of moisture

Anti-capillary waterproofing in walls is laid on a plinth, which usually ends at a level of 15-50 cm above ground level. The surface of the base is pre-leveled, dried and covered with a layer of bitumen mastic. Then 2 layers of roofing material are laid. This type of waterproofing is called a continuous flashing and must completely penetrate the entire thickness of the wall and the interior plaster.

Protecting walls from capillary rising moisture

Waterproofing of columnar and pile foundations

Waterproofing of pile foundations is done using a grillage. It is extremely difficult to waterproof piles and pillars; it will take a lot of time and effort in the case of pillars and is almost impossible in the case of piles. Therefore, it is recommended to make such pillars or piles from moisture-resistant concrete grade W4 and higher for non-aggressive HS and from grade W6 and higher for aggressive ones.

The foundation of wooden piles must be treated with an anti-corrosion solution.

Wooden pile foundation

At the same time, it is important to remember that it is not advisable to carry out measures to lower the groundwater level, i.e. make any drainage, since wooden piles do not rot only when they are completely in water. Otherwise, there is a high risk of reducing their service life.

Basement waterproofing

Basement waterproofing

The base from the outside to the level of the continuous laying (10-50 cm from the ground level) must be waterproofed in order to protect the wall of the house from surface water. The fact is that the average height of the snow cover is usually 10-50 cm, and raindrops bouncing off the blind area most of all wet 10-50 cm from the ground level. That is why the base must be lined with a waterproof material, such as water-repellent tiles.

Basement waterproofing

For a house with a basement, it is necessary to have a waterproof blind area, which will reduce the flow of surface water to the basement walls.

The basement floor is waterproofed using concrete preparation. Waterproofing made from 2 layers of rolled bitumen material is very suitable for these purposes.

The basement walls are waterproofed according to the same principle as a strip foundation, as described above. Also, waterproofing made from bentonite mats is very effective for basement waterproofing.

Bentonite mats

This is a modern compact analogue of the classic clay castle. The material is bentonite enclosed on both sides in textile material. Easy to install, it replaces 1 meter of clay (classic clay castle).

If the groundwater in the area is pressure, and you need to do drainage around the perimeter of the basement, it is very important to remember that the drainage begins to work only from the moment the water from the drainage material (falling further into the drainage pipes at the base of the foundation) begins to be discharged, for example, into a storm sewer . Until this moment, there may even be water standing in the pit, despite the fact that all drainage materials have already been laid.

I would like to draw your attention - do not skimp on waterproofing the basement and do it very carefully. And if you hire builders for this work, then carefully control this stage. Because this is the type of work that is quite difficult to fix when leaks already appear. After all, to repair the waterproofing of the basement, you have to re-tear the foundation pit. And by this time, the blind area is often already standing and the surrounding areas are partially inhabited. Therefore, basement waterproofing should be taken very seriously.

If it so happens that for some reason the basement begins to leak, then the best option would be to re-dig the foundation pit and replace completely or partially damaged waterproofing. If it is not possible to dig a pit, for example due to the density of the building, then waterproofing can be done from inside the basement. But in this case, the walls will unfortunately continue to get wet, despite the fact that they will look dry from the inside of the basement.

Materials that should not be used to waterproof the foundation and basement

• The foundation and basement cannot be waterproofed with roofing films (waterproofing, vapor barrier) and membranes, including windproof ones. These materials are too thin and are designed for loose installation with sagging (they cannot even be pulled). In addition, films and membranes will not withstand friction against the surface of the foundation due to constant seasonal soil movements, not to mention the fact that they are not designed to protect against pressure groundwater. Therefore, their use for waterproofing foundations and basements is impractical.
• It is not economically feasible to use materials with UV stabilization for these purposes, for example, a UV stabilized PVC membrane. Since UV-resistant materials are more expensive, this function simply will not be used underground.

In this article, we examined the features of waterproofing various types of foundations, as well as basements and plinths, which will help you protect the underlying structures of your home from getting wet and extend their service life.

Note: Attached are regulatory documents that describe the issue of waterproofing the foundation, basement and plinth from a regulatory point of view.

Water destroys the building structures, rendering them unusable and reducing their service life. This is especially true for the underground part of the house, which is exposed to several types of moisture at once. Outside, rain and melt water have a destructive effect on it, and in the soil, groundwater causes trouble, the level of which can vary depending on the season. Waterproofing methods for the foundation of a building depend on its type and method of manufacture (installation of tape, slab, pillars or piles).

How does moisture affect

There are several ways in which water can lead to the destruction of a concrete foundation:

• Washing out of particles from the structure, formation of irregularities and potholes due to aggressive components in rain or groundwater.
• Destruction when water penetrates into the body of the foundation and freezes there. The fact is that water is the only substance on the planet that, when entering a frozen state, expands and does not decrease in volume. Getting into the capillaries, it puts strong pressure on the foundation from the inside, which leads to the appearance of cracks and crevices.

That is why waterproofing the foundation is important and should be carried out immediately after the construction of the structure.

Types of moisture protection by location

In general, the foundation waterproofing device is divided into three groups:

• horizontal;
• vertical;
• blind area device.

Depending on the type of base, several methods can be used simultaneously.

Combined moisture protection

Horizontal is designed to prevent moisture from penetrating between different levels. It can be made of various materials. Provided for all types of foundations (strip, slab, pillars, piles).

Vertical is needed so that groundwater cannot influence the foundation. Not all types of grounds require such protection. Required only for strip and column supports of the house. Horizontal protection is provided for all types (strip, slab or free-standing supports).

The blind area protects the base from the penetration of rainwater and melted snow in the spring. Here the width of the structure is essential. If it is insufficient, the moisture will be removed a short distance and will be able to reach the foundation. This type of protection reduces the load on all others, allowing them to increase their service life.

Vertical and horizontal insulation

Waterproofing with roll material

Foundation waterproofing can be done using different means of protection. Separately, it is worth considering vertical and horizontal types and the design of the blind area, since the materials in these cases will vary quite significantly.

Protection of the recessed part of the building with vertical and horizontal insulation suggests that materials can be used in the following ways:

• pasting;
• coating;
• penetrating;
• plastering;
• injection;
• mounted;
• structural (additives to concrete).

It is worth separately understanding what material to use in each case.

Pasting

This type of structure protection is carried out using roll versions with bitumen binder. Fused or bonded material may be used. Fused types imply the presence of an adhesive layer, which is heated at high temperatures and adheres to the surface. To attach insulation to the base without an adhesive layer, you will need to use bitumen mastic as a connecting substance.

Pasting materials include:

The use of roofing felt is the most common method

• roofing felt(the material is outdated and it is not recommended to use it to protect critical house structures, but it is worth noting its low cost);
• glassine(waterproofing the foundation based on thick thick cardboard, which is impregnated with bitumen binder, cannot be classified as a reliable and durable method, but it will allow significant savings);
• roofing felt(remains the leader among roll insulation due to its affordable price, service life is quite short);
• polymer materials impregnated with bitumen, fiberglass or polyester base(here we can give as an example the following common options for protecting the walls and foundations of a house from moisture: “Linokrom”, “Gidroizol”, “TechnoNIKOL”, “Stekloizol”, “Bikrost”, etc.).

The last group is the most reliable option, but the price of such material can be quite high.

But here it is worth taking into account their long service life, which will reduce the frequency of repairs. The advantages of the pasting method include the fact that it can be used for various surfaces:

• concrete;
• tree;
• metal;
• asphalt concrete;
• old waterproofing coating (during repairs).

Coating insulation

In this case, waterproofing the foundation is most often performed using bitumen mastics. To protect the buried part of the building and the walls of the house, one-component and two-component compounds are used. In addition to bitumen, you can now find more reliable and modern options on the building materials market:

• polymer resins;
• bitumen-polymer resins;
• bitumen-rubber mastics.

Unlike regular bitumen, which cracks at low temperatures, these mixtures with additional additives are resistant to cold. The disadvantage of more modern options is their price, which cannot compete with conventional bitumen-based mastic. The latter is best used to protect house structures with deep groundwater.

Penetrating insulation

Waterproofing the foundation in this way prevents moisture from entering the concrete capillaries. This increases the strength of the surface layer of concrete. Waterproofing a strip foundation in this way is often carried out using an additional coating or adhesive layer.

On average, the penetration depth is 15-25 cm, but some materials can go as deep as 90 cm. It is important to note that such methods are only suitable for concrete. They are useless when used on brick and stone.

The most common compositions for this steel processing method are:

1. "Penetron";
2. "Peneplug";
3. "Hydrohit";
4. "Penecritus."
5. "Osmosed."

Protecting the concrete base from moisture

The technology for protecting the foundations and walls of a house in this way implies a thoroughly cleaned, degreased and level base, therefore it is recommended for use on new buildings.

Paint and plaster insulation

Do-it-yourself foundation waterproofing using painting and plastering compounds is not durable or reliable. If possible, it is better to give preference to other methods of protecting the foundations and walls of a house, since the average service life of such materials is 5 years.

Injection insulation

Technique for introducing polyurethane resin into the base

This option is suitable for repairing a foundation that has already been put into operation. The technology allows you to protect the foundation without performing soil excavation work. Injectors are inserted into the supports and deliver an insulating substance. The following materials can be used as raw materials:

• foam;
• resins;
• acrylate gels;
• rubber;
• cement-containing mixtures;
• polymer compositions.

Mounted insulation

Waterproofing the foundation in this way allows you to most effectively combat high groundwater levels and their high pressure. It is mainly used for strip foundations when it is necessary to protect an underground room.

The most reliable method of installed waterproofing can be called a steel caisson. In this case, the structure of the walls and floor of the basement is sheathed from the inside with sheets of steel 4-6 mm thick. The option is very expensive, so it is extremely rarely used.

Brick walls are sometimes erected outside, but in most cases this method is used in conjunction with the pasting or coating option. Brick is more likely not to protect the foundation from moisture, but to protect waterproofing from mechanical damage.

Blind area device

Do-it-yourself foundation waterproofing in this case involves using the following blind area materials to protect the structure from the outside from atmospheric moisture:

Making a blind area

• concrete;
• asphalt concrete;
• clay;
• paving slabs;
• diffusion membranes.

The choice of method for making a blind area depends on the preferences of the future owner of the house, the architectural design and the availability of materials. The cheapest option for a blind area would be to lay it out of concrete or asphalt. This option does not have an attractive appearance, but it allows you to protect the foundation without much labor. In addition, savings are achieved on raw materials for manufacturing. The construction of a blind area made of concrete or asphalt is popular in the mass construction of multi-apartment residential buildings and administrative and public buildings.

Waterproofing technology depending on the type of foundation

Each type of building support requires certain protection options. Before waterproofing the foundation, you need to find out what is required for the full range of measures.

Strip foundation protection

Waterproofing of strip foundations differs for monolithic and prefabricated versions. First, let's look at the prefabricated version. To prevent damage to the underground walls of the house and flooding of the basement, the following measures will be required:

• installation of a reinforced seam between factory-made foundation slabs and concrete blocks of the basement walls;
• laying rolled material in the first seam between the blocks, which is located below the basement floor level;
• the rolled material is mounted along the edge of the foundation at the junction of the walls and the supporting structure;
• vertical insulation of the underground part of the tape from the outside;
• blind area device.

Belt protection

It is important to note that at the junction of foundation slabs and concrete blocks, materials based on bitumen binder cannot be laid. This can lead to displacement of elements relative to each other. Here, only a thickened concrete joint is suitable. Insulation along the edge of the foundation is necessary so that different moisture content of the material of the supporting parts of the building and wall fences does not lead to destruction. For horizontal insulation, pasting methods are used.

Vertical insulation is best done from the outside, since this will not only protect the room, but also the load-bearing elements. During new construction, walls can be treated with pasting or coating materials. Repair work is being carried out from the inside. In this case, the penetrating or injection type is used.

If you need to carry out a set of waterproofing works for a monolithic tape, then it is worth considering the following measures:

• vertical insulation;
• waterproofing along the edge of the foundation;
• blind area device.

Materials are selected in the same way as for the prefabricated version.

Protection of columnar and pile foundations

A simple method of moisture protection

The simplest type of moisture protection is used here. You only need to make insulation along the edge of the foundation. Its location depends on the material of the grillage. If the piping is made of the same material as the foundation, then the roll materials are laid at the point of contact between the grillage and the walls. You may want to consider another option. For example, a wooden house rests on metal piles. In this case, the lower crown of the walls will serve as a grillage, so the insulating layer is laid on the heads of the supporting elements.

Foundation slab protection

To protect against moisture, the following measures will need to be taken:

• concrete preparation from lean concrete to protect the slab from underground water and leveling the base;
• waterproofing for concrete preparation;
• protection from external moisture.

Waterproofing of the foundation slab

To produce the second layer when constructing a slab, roll methods are used. It is best to focus on modern materials, since after pouring the slab, it is almost impossible to monitor the condition of such insulation or carry out repairs. For small buildings with a low degree of responsibility and low water saturation of the soil, polyethylene film is often used.

To protect the slab from moisture that may enter from above, it must be treated with penetrating compounds. Sometimes in private housing construction they resort to using the following method: a solution for penetrating insulation is introduced into the concrete composition.

Also, after pouring the slab, it will be necessary to provide for the laying of rolled material in places where the walls support.

Before you properly waterproof the foundation (slab strips, piles, pillars), you need to carefully study the issue. It is important to use high-quality materials. If you save at this stage of construction, you can spend a large amount of money on repairs during operation.

The foundation is the part of the building that undergoes the greatest load. The durability of the building depends on the reliability of this component of any structure. When destructive processes begin, this causes deformation of the remaining elements. Therefore, increased requirements are placed on the waterproofing of the base. This is relevant for private houses, since almost every owner of such a building uses a basement or basement.

Such work should be carried out comprehensively, protecting the entire structure from moisture. Water affects the foundation in different ways, often negative factors are activated simultaneously. It can be:

• precipitation;
• The groundwater;
• river floods;
• snow melting.

Some believe that in some cases the foundation may not be waterproofed. This belief is short-sighted, since a house is built to last for decades, and after some time construction may begin nearby, which will lead to soil movements that affect the location of underground water layers. Even if a highway is built nearby, this may have an impact.

There are many other reasons that could lead to a change in the configuration and level of water in the ground. Throughout the year, the depth of the water will change, and the climate is also not stable. If you are still undecided whether to waterproof the foundation of the house, then you should consider that repairing the foundation will cost much more than building the frame of the house. Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with the main types of waterproofing materials, as well as their characteristics.

Horizontal insulation

If we are talking about a monolithic strip foundation, then horizontal waterproofing must be placed in two places, namely in the base, at the point of connection of the wall with the foundation, and also at or below the level of the basement floor by 20 cm. This technology can only be implemented at the stage of building a house.

Before starting the manipulations, greasy clay is poured into the bottom of the pit, the layer thickness of which is 30 cm, it should be compacted well, and a 7-centimeter layer of concrete should be poured on top. It is necessary for arranging waterproofing. Before installation, the solution must dry and cure for 15 days. Next, its surface is coated over the entire area, and a layer of roofing material is laid on its surface.

The next step will be treating the surface with mastic and laying another layer of roofing material. A 7-centimeter layer of concrete should be poured on top, which is leveled and reinforced.

Horizontal waterproofing must be provided since this stage refers to measures that ensure waterproofing. After 3 hours, a 2-centimeter layer of cement should be poured on top of the concrete, which is sifted through a sieve. The surface is leveled, after some time the cement should become wet from the moisture contained in the solution. The resulting base should be treated using the same technology that is used when arranging a conventional screed. From time to time, its surface is moistened with water until the concrete reaches its design strength and dries.

For reference

All of the above materials for waterproofing the foundation will become effective protection of the base, which, after drying, must be covered with bitumen mastic, laying roofing felt or any other similar material on top. This procedure must be repeated twice to form two layers. The edges of the material that hang from the base should not be cut; they are folded down and pressed in the form of vertical waterproofing.

Vertical insulation

When choosing materials for foundation waterproofing, you should first of all think about what technology you will use. If we are talking about vertical waterproofing, then bituminous materials can be used. In this case, the master will have to resort to the coating method using bitumen resin. Most often it is purchased in bars. To carry out the work, it is necessary to prepare a large container into which 30% of used oil is poured. 70% bitumen should be added to it.

The container heats up, for which you can build a fire under it or place the barrel on a gas stove. As soon as a liquid mixture is formed inside, vertical waterproofing can be carried out, which involves applying the composition to the surface. The latter must first be leveled. During the work, it is necessary to use a brush or roller, with the help of one of which bitumen is applied to the surface. In this case, you should try to coat all joints and corners. It is necessary to start from the sole of the base, finishing the manipulations 20 cm above the surface of the earth. It will be necessary to form about three layers of bitumen so that the total thickness of the material is approximately 5 cm.

Nuances of bitumen waterproofing

Bitumen waterproofing of the foundation is carried out only with the use of a hot composition, so you need to ensure that the mixture does not harden. After standing for 5 years, the surface will begin to become cracked and deteriorate, which will cause water to penetrate into the concrete. To extend the service life, it is necessary to use bitumen-polymer mastics, which have almost no disadvantages of pure bitumen, since they are durable. On the building materials market you can find cold and hot applied mastics, as well as polymer solutions, the latter of which can have a liquid or hard consistency. Such materials should be applied to waterproof the foundation following the instructions, which may involve the use of a sprayer, spatula or roller.

Roll materials

Rolled materials can be used as a separate layer of waterproofing or in tandem with coating compounds. Roofing felt is considered a popular and cheap material for adhesive insulation; it is fixed on the surface of the foundation, which is pre-treated with mastic or bitumen primer. At the next stage, the roofing material is heated with a burner and strengthened to a vertical surface with the formation of an overlap within 20 cm.

This technology is called weld-surface technology. There is a technique that involves fixing roofing felt with the help of. Speaking of the above, the resulting layer must be covered with bitumen mastic and another layer of roofing felt must be laid.

Recommendations from a specialist for waterproofing using the adhesive method

If you decide to use rolled materials for waterproofing the foundation, then before fusing the roofing material, the edges should be folded down and the rolled materials being fused should be strengthened. Instead of roofing felt, it is permissible to use modern materials such as Stekloizol or Tekhnoelast. Their polymer base is polyester, which improves elasticity and wear resistance. Despite the fact that the price is higher compared to roofing felt, these materials are recommended by experts for foundation insulation. With their help, however, it will not be possible to ensure the strength of the coating without the additional use of mastic, since they do not have the ability to penetrate the pores.

Plaster insulation

This method is quite simple and performs the function of waterproofing the base, leveling the surface. It is necessary to add water-resistant components to the ingredients of the plaster mixture, which, after mixing, are applied using a spatula. In order to ensure that the composition is retained on the foundation, a putty mesh should be strengthened to it using dowels.

Plaster waterproofing has the advantages of low cost and high speed of work. However, there are also disadvantages, expressed in low water resistance, fragility and the possibility of cracks.

For reference

Recently, polymer concrete has become increasingly popular, the use of which is widespread in modern construction. They are a modern type of concrete mixture, in the production of which a polymer is used instead of cement or silicate. Initially, the material appears as a viscous liquid called synthetic resin. When forming a foundation from polymer concrete, a structure is obtained that is resistant to moisture and provides for the creation of the simplest waterproofing system.

Selection of waterproofing by manufacturer

“Isoplast”, the price of which is 150 rubles. per square meter, is a durable, reliable and high-quality material that is used for waterproofing the foundations of buildings for various purposes. It is made on two bases: fiberglass and polyester, and slate coating is used as a protective top layer.

Laying of this material is carried out on a pre-prepared base using the fusing method. You will need a gas burner for this. Gluing can also be done using bitumen mastic. “Isoplast”, the price of which depends on the variety and can reach 180 rubles. per square meter, maintains heat resistance at temperatures of +120° for 2 hours.

Characteristics of Technoelast

"Technoelast TechnoNIKOL" is another type of waterproofing for foundations. It represents increased reliability. It can be used at constant groundwater pressure and low temperatures. According to the manufacturer, Technoelast TechnoNIKOL can be used in conditions that other materials are unlikely to be able to withstand. This insulation is made by applying a bitumen-polymer binder to a polyester or fiberglass base. Laying of "Technoelast" is carried out using

Conclusion

Mastic "Aquaizol" can be used by you as foundation insulation. It is a bitumen composition, which is consumed in a volume of 0.45 kg/m2. It involves the need for a manual method of applying a cold composition. The thickness of the formed layer should be 10 mm.