07 10 00 · Dampproofing and Waterproofing
Below-grade waterproofing for commercial foundation walls
When water comes through a below-grade wall, the most direct fix is from the outside. Dig down to the wall, clean and repair it, install a waterproofing membrane, protect it and backfill. We do the excavation and the waterproofing with our own crews and equipment, so there's one contractor accountable for the trench and the membrane.
01 · How it works
What the work involves
Below-grade waterproofing is applied to either the positive side (the face against the soil) or the negative side (the interior face). Positive-side systems stop water at the wall surface and protect the wall itself. Negative-side systems can control dampness inside but leave the wall exposed to water.
On existing buildings, positive-side work means excavating along the wall. That's what the photo on this page shows at a brick industrial building. The exposed wall is cleaned and repaired at cracks and penetrations, a membrane system is applied per the manufacturer's requirements, and protection board and drainage are installed before backfill.
Older buildings often have pipe penetrations, abandoned openings and mixed wall materials at the same elevation. Each one needs detailing, and that's where most below-grade leaks start.
04 · Work methodology
How we do it
- 01
Locate
Map where water enters and the depth and length of wall involved.
- 02
Excavate
Dig along the wall with our own equipment, with utilities located first.
- 03
Prepare the wall
Clean the wall and repair cracks, voids and penetrations.
- 04
Waterproof
Apply the membrane system with details at corners and penetrations.
- 05
Protect and backfill
Install protection and drainage, backfill and restore the surface.
05 · Materials and systems
Products are selected per project from the specification or, where there is none, from manufacturer data sheets matched to the joint movement, traffic and exposure. Your written proposal names the exact products before work starts.
06 · Field photos
07 · Buyer questions
Questions property and project managers ask
- Will digging damage our landscaping or paving?
- Excavation disturbs whatever sits along the wall. The proposal lists what we remove and what we restore, including concrete flatwork, which we replace ourselves.
- Can you waterproof a wall without digging?
- Interior (negative-side) treatments exist and suit some situations, but they don't stop water reaching the wall. We'll tell you which approach fits your building.
Start a project · 07 10 00
Below-Grade Waterproofing: send us the site.
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