Hello and happy first Advent!
Our shell is about to be roofed, and the waterproof concrete basement is still open, meaning the ground has not been backfilled yet. We have integrated a drainage system from the company Drytech into the basement.
Yesterday, the neighbor suggested that we should coat the exterior of our living basement with bitumen, as this would make the climate in the living basement more comfortable. (Normally, moisture would diffuse through concrete, which is harmless for a utility basement but rather unpleasant for a living basement.)
What do you think? Is this correct? How expensive could that be?
Thank you very much and best regards!
Our shell is about to be roofed, and the waterproof concrete basement is still open, meaning the ground has not been backfilled yet. We have integrated a drainage system from the company Drytech into the basement.
Yesterday, the neighbor suggested that we should coat the exterior of our living basement with bitumen, as this would make the climate in the living basement more comfortable. (Normally, moisture would diffuse through concrete, which is harmless for a utility basement but rather unpleasant for a living basement.)
What do you think? Is this correct? How expensive could that be?
Thank you very much and best regards!
B
Bauexperte27 Nov 2011 18:09Hello,
You probably mean drainage installed around the basement.
Structural waterproofing: watertight / water-impermeable
The required waterproofing measures depend on the watertightness of the existing soil or individual soil layers, as well as the height of the groundwater level. This information can be obtained through appropriate soil investigations (soil survey report). It should be noted that for the groundwater level, the long-term (over several years) highest groundwater level is determined. For an initial assessment, some responsible authorities also provide information about the groundwater level.
Regarding exposure, a distinction is made between:
Soil moisture and non-accumulating seepage water with sufficiently permeable soil and highest groundwater level below the foundation level; accumulating seepage water with soils of lower water permeability (cohesive soils) and without drainage, if the highest groundwater level lies at least 300 mm (12 inches) below the foundation level (i.e., if soil type and terrain shape indicate only stagnant water) and with a foundation depth up to 3 m (10 feet);
or
pressing water with buildings whose foundation level lies below the highest groundwater level or within a layer of groundwater, regardless of foundation depth, immersion depth, and soil type.
If it is a waterproof concrete basement, it will be sealed according to the results of the soil survey report; then no further measures are needed and you can disregard your neighbor’s suggestion.
What surprises me more is your term "living basement" — is your builder aware of this? Because then insulation materials must be installed in the surrounding soil based on structural and thermal protection requirements. The normal waterproofing standard according to DIN for waterproof concrete definitely is not sufficient here, as it applies to a utility basement; by the way, the neighbor’s statement is also irrelevant in this context.
Best regards
Ellalia schrieb:
Our shell construction is just about to have the roof covered, and the waterproof concrete basement is still open, meaning the soil has not yet been backfilled. We have integrated a drainage system from Drytech in the basement.
You probably mean drainage installed around the basement.
Structural waterproofing: watertight / water-impermeable
The required waterproofing measures depend on the watertightness of the existing soil or individual soil layers, as well as the height of the groundwater level. This information can be obtained through appropriate soil investigations (soil survey report). It should be noted that for the groundwater level, the long-term (over several years) highest groundwater level is determined. For an initial assessment, some responsible authorities also provide information about the groundwater level.
Regarding exposure, a distinction is made between:
Soil moisture and non-accumulating seepage water with sufficiently permeable soil and highest groundwater level below the foundation level; accumulating seepage water with soils of lower water permeability (cohesive soils) and without drainage, if the highest groundwater level lies at least 300 mm (12 inches) below the foundation level (i.e., if soil type and terrain shape indicate only stagnant water) and with a foundation depth up to 3 m (10 feet);
or
pressing water with buildings whose foundation level lies below the highest groundwater level or within a layer of groundwater, regardless of foundation depth, immersion depth, and soil type.
Ellalia schrieb:
Yesterday, the neighbor suggested we have the exterior of our basement coated with bitumen, saying it would make the climate inside the basement more comfortable. (Normally, moisture would diffuse through concrete, which would be harmless for a utility basement but rather unpleasant for a living basement.)
If it is a waterproof concrete basement, it will be sealed according to the results of the soil survey report; then no further measures are needed and you can disregard your neighbor’s suggestion.
What surprises me more is your term "living basement" — is your builder aware of this? Because then insulation materials must be installed in the surrounding soil based on structural and thermal protection requirements. The normal waterproofing standard according to DIN for waterproof concrete definitely is not sufficient here, as it applies to a utility basement; by the way, the neighbor’s statement is also irrelevant in this context.
Best regards
Thank you very much for your reply!
I have gathered the following information again.
1. We have a soil report stating that below-ground building components must be protected against occasionally accumulating seepage water according to DIN 18195-6. Alternatively, the installation of a drainage system following DIN 4095 is possible.
2. Our energy consultant specified for the waterproof concrete basement
a) 10cm (4 inches) of exterior insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/(m·K) on the basement walls,
b) Basement slab with 12cm (5 inches) of insulation with 0.035 W/(m·K) under the slab, 5cm (2 inches) of insulation with 0.035 W/(m·K) above the slab, and 5cm (2 inches) of insulation with 0.025 W/(m·K) on top. The general contractor adopted the energy consultant’s requirements. We also submitted the soil report and included it as a requirement in the contract.
Do these conditions fulfill the requirements for a habitable basement?
Best regards!
I have gathered the following information again.
1. We have a soil report stating that below-ground building components must be protected against occasionally accumulating seepage water according to DIN 18195-6. Alternatively, the installation of a drainage system following DIN 4095 is possible.
2. Our energy consultant specified for the waterproof concrete basement
a) 10cm (4 inches) of exterior insulation with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/(m·K) on the basement walls,
b) Basement slab with 12cm (5 inches) of insulation with 0.035 W/(m·K) under the slab, 5cm (2 inches) of insulation with 0.035 W/(m·K) above the slab, and 5cm (2 inches) of insulation with 0.025 W/(m·K) on top. The general contractor adopted the energy consultant’s requirements. We also submitted the soil report and included it as a requirement in the contract.
Do these conditions fulfill the requirements for a habitable basement?
Best regards!
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