Among the worst things that can happen to a residential building, one is a foundation problem. Foundations are the most important parts of a building, literally what the house is built on and what keeps the building standing. Having to fix a foundation issue means going through a very expensive and overwhelming intervention.
In most cases, water is the most dangerous source of foundations problems. There are two main reasons behind that: wet foundation soil can lose strength and mould issues can arise, making underground interior spaces unpleasant for the residents.
Foundations are made of reinforced concrete, which is not waterproof and also it comes with cracks. Water is mostly kept out but vapour and moisture can still penetrate. That is enough to create potential huge issues. This is why, when dealing with concrete foundation waterproofing, the main goal is to keep the water away from concrete foundations.
The achievement of that goal can be feasible or less feasible depending on 4 factors:
- Geographic location
- Topography
- Soil/ Water table conditions
- Depth of foundations
No one will disagree if we say that it is absolutely worth investing time and money in doing a great concrete foundations waterproofing since the project design, instead of having to return to the site, excavate it and fix the problem. It is critical doing it right the first time. For that purpose, it is crucial to remember that the waterproofing barrier is part of a bigger and comprehensive system to prevent water penetration.
Some of the essential components, in addition to proper wall construction, of a waterproofing system are:
- Installation of a drainage system: grade level and underground.
- Installation/Application of the waterproofing barrier.