Basement Construction
Before one buys a new home, the basements must be built with the same quality construction standards that are used throughout the homes interior. There are a few easy construction techniques for the homebuyer’s, which can be used. A general checklist of good basement construction practices helps ensure the quality of the new homes. The most effective line of defense against basement wall moisture problems is basement Waterproofing System.
Insulation in the Basement
The exterior insulation offers many advantages to the homebuyers. Exterior insulation protects the waterproofing membrane from the extremes of the soil and above grade climate. The wall maintains a stable temperature and undergoes very little thermally induced expansion and contraction. This reduces the potential for cracking too. Since the wall’s temperature is maintained nearer to the indoor temperature the humid interior air is unlikely to condense on the basement walls.
Drainage Placement for Basement
Installing a perimeter footing drainage system to relieve hydrostatic pressure from surface water and table water is better. An exterior system is preferred to an interior one. However, many experts recommend both forms of drainage. When using both, the exterior system is used as the primary drainage system while the interior is used as the backup and for venting the soil of gases. The drainage system should connect to a sump pump for gravity discharge. For most residential applications a 4-inch diameter perforated drainpipe is adequate. A clean-out point makes drainage system maintenance easy.
Water Table Protection
As basements become larger the slab will be more susceptible to pressure from the water table. It is important to have a minimum 4 -inch layer of clean gravel spread evenly under the slab area for drainage as mentioned above. There should also be a pathway to relieve water pressure from the center of slab too. This can be done by digging a 6 to 8 inch deep trench in an X pattern by filling it with clean gravel and connecting it to the drainage system. As the water table rises, the pressure is relieved through the pathways to the sump pump drainage system. Remember that the top of the perimeter exterior drain tile should be below the bottom surface of the interior slab to get extra protection.