The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: submarinesailor on October 25, 2017, 10:33:52 PM

Title: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: submarinesailor on October 25, 2017, 10:33:52 PM
Several years ago we had a really bad infestation of termites because the basement floor had settle away from the footer.  This created a crack that run around 3 sides of the basement allowing the termites in.  Well in the process of treating and fixing all this MESS.  We also found that we have a minor problem with water infiltration thru the block wall.  NOTE TO SELF - the wife doesn't like any type of black mold anywhere.

For a while I thought I had it under control by using drylock on the worst areas and adding a french drain on the outside.  But recently the wife as been pushing to get the basement back to a family/TV room (USABLE SPACE!!!!) so after thinking about this I decided to turn towards my buds on the forum to see if anyone has/knows of anything better than drylock or drylock extreme.

To add a twist to this.  We have a brand new (2 weeks old on Sunday) grand daughter living in the house, so I need to be REALLY VERY CAREFUL about the fumes or off-gassing.

I do plan on increasing the capacity of the french drain by removing it and going with something like this all the way across the back of the house.  One problem with doing the change out.  It bunch of it is under the back pouch requiring my to remove almost haft of the decking.
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: florida on October 26, 2017, 07:16:18 AM
6" or 7" gutter with large downspouts and leaders carrying the water well away from the house should be your first line of defense.
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 26, 2017, 03:06:39 PM
I have repaired a lot of wet basements
Best repair is on the outside of the block wall
Grace makes bituthane product that goes on the outside this gives the best results
Bruno
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: moosehunter on October 27, 2017, 10:16:28 AM
What Florida and Bruno said PLUS drainage at the footer. If the water can not drain away from the wall it will find a way in thru the wall.
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: Kbeitz on October 27, 2017, 12:06:17 PM
I had a spring behind my home when I built it so I knew I was going to have problems.
I tared the out side of my blocks and then put in aluminum press plates that came from
a book making factory. Then I tared the press plates. After that I put in a french drain.
It looks like a small creek running behind my home but nothing come in the wall.
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: Wudman on October 30, 2017, 03:20:52 PM
I used Drylock (along with French drains) on 8" poured walls when I did my basement walls.  It did not stop water infiltration.  I ended up excavating around the house and used tar and paper on the walls along with a backfill of #57 stone.  I've been dry since.  There are a number of new membrane type treatments that accomplish the same task.  My engineer presented a number of options, but the contractor settled on the tar and paper.

Wudman
Title: Re: Drylok or SOme Type Of Equivalent
Post by: Don P on October 31, 2017, 08:05:33 AM
Look for basement drainage mat or board at the building supply, you may need to order it. With tar or a membrane on the wall and this covering it to let any water drop to the footing drain the fill shouldn't be able to build up any hydrostatic pressure against the wall. Then as long as the drain is clear you are dry.