Is Your Foundation Strong?

The foundation is a very vulnerable place for water intrusion. Improper drainage around the foundation has been found to cause leaking foundations. When a drainage system is used in residential construction, it is usually a combination of a gravel drainage layer with a foundation drain, a drain tile or a perforated PVC pipe. Many months later, as drainage occurs, small soil particles may fill the drainage path, which result in reduced drainage of ground water. Water pressure then builds up and eventually causes leakage through the wall of the foundation.

Foundation Drainage Panels -

Engineered, prefabricated foundation drainage panels are designed for facilitating the movement of ground water to lessen the water pressure stress on the foundation waterproofing. The drainage panels provide an unobstructed path from surface grade to footing and allow the footing drain to collect and remove water away from around the foundation. Also, some of these systems provide thermal resistance and help to reduce interior condensation. The foundation drainage panel systems can be combined with waterproofing membranes to provide protection from ground water in areas of high water table or hydrostatic pressure. The standard gravel drainage course and foundation drains with damp proofing on the foundation are applicable in the areas where there is occasional or no groundwater.

The typical foundation drainage system consists of a waterproofing membrane with a preformed path at the foundation, whether a grid system or a solid, porous board, and a filter for keeping the drain path clear of small particle build-up. The filter has been traditionally a course of specially graded aggregates, ranging from crushed stone or gravel to even coarse angular sand. Geo-technical fabrics, commonly called "filter fabrics", are frequently used to allow the flow of water, while disallowing the small particles to pass through. These fabrics while consuming less space are more reliable, and relatively easy to install.

The drainage path can be achieved by several different methods:

1. Through a drainage board, solid board material, with porous structure to allow moisture and water to drain vertically down to the foundation drain. The board-type systems provide protection to the waterproof membrane and provide thermal insulation.

2. Through an air space created by a plastic grid or "geo-grid", which is a twisted plastic wire grid. Even condensation can be collected in this air space.

3. The traditional gravel course, with filter fabric on the outside and a protection board over the foundation waterproofing. Washed pea-gravel or screened crushed stone also work well for this drainage course.

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Foundation Drainage -
Is Your Foundation Strong? The foundation is a very vulnerable place for water intrusion. Improper drainage around the foundation has been found to cause leaking foundations. When a drainage system is used in residential construction, it is...