ᐅ Embed Styrofoam insulation boards into the basement wall concrete.
Created on: 10 Dec 2011 23:31
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EDKAHello,
I have a question.
My basement is constructed as follows:
First, the outer formwork is set up, then an 8cm (3 inches) layer of polystyrene insulation (not Styrofoam) is attached, after that (I’m not exactly sure) steel reinforcement mesh and inner formwork are installed, and then the concrete is poured. According to my builder, a major advantage of this method is that the insulation does not have to be glued on after the basement is completed, and the basement is 100% waterproof.
I have visited several construction sites where, after pouring the concrete, a black waterproofing membrane was applied twice first, and then polystyrene insulation was glued on. Is this a new procedure? Is the basement truly 100% waterproof, and what disadvantages does this method have?
To summarize briefly, this is how my basement wall looks from the outside: concrete wall – 8cm (3 inches) polystyrene – dimpled membrane.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
I have a question.
My basement is constructed as follows:
First, the outer formwork is set up, then an 8cm (3 inches) layer of polystyrene insulation (not Styrofoam) is attached, after that (I’m not exactly sure) steel reinforcement mesh and inner formwork are installed, and then the concrete is poured. According to my builder, a major advantage of this method is that the insulation does not have to be glued on after the basement is completed, and the basement is 100% waterproof.
I have visited several construction sites where, after pouring the concrete, a black waterproofing membrane was applied twice first, and then polystyrene insulation was glued on. Is this a new procedure? Is the basement truly 100% waterproof, and what disadvantages does this method have?
To summarize briefly, this is how my basement wall looks from the outside: concrete wall – 8cm (3 inches) polystyrene – dimpled membrane.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Hello EDKA,
I’m not familiar with the procedure you described either. Our basements are built differently (using precast concrete elements with cast-in-place concrete grouting). After the basement exterior walls are erected and grouted, a cove fillet (to seal the joint between the floor slab and exterior wall) is installed first, followed by the bitumen coating, and only then the insulation is applied. I would have concerns about achieving a proper seal between floor slab and exterior wall if the insulation were cast directly into the concrete. Normally, basements are made moisture-resistant against soil humidity with the bitumen coating mentioned above. To protect against groundwater pressure, a so-called "white tank" (waterproof concrete structure) must be constructed. This is significantly more complex and costly than a "black tank" (bitumen-coated waterproofing). So, it’s better to inquire precisely about the advantages and disadvantages of your method. I’m looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
CADAMaRa
I’m not familiar with the procedure you described either. Our basements are built differently (using precast concrete elements with cast-in-place concrete grouting). After the basement exterior walls are erected and grouted, a cove fillet (to seal the joint between the floor slab and exterior wall) is installed first, followed by the bitumen coating, and only then the insulation is applied. I would have concerns about achieving a proper seal between floor slab and exterior wall if the insulation were cast directly into the concrete. Normally, basements are made moisture-resistant against soil humidity with the bitumen coating mentioned above. To protect against groundwater pressure, a so-called "white tank" (waterproof concrete structure) must be constructed. This is significantly more complex and costly than a "black tank" (bitumen-coated waterproofing). So, it’s better to inquire precisely about the advantages and disadvantages of your method. I’m looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
CADAMaRa
B
Bauexperte11 Dec 2011 12:28Hello,
To be honest, what you have explained here is not clear to me, or I might just be missing something right now.
Who is your builder, and what do the soil report and the structural engineer say about the design of the waterproof basement?
Kind regards
EDKA schrieb:
First, the exterior formwork is installed, then you attach 8cm (3 inches) of Styrofoam (not Styrofoam) to it, then (I'm not exactly sure) a steel mesh and interior formwork follow, after which the concrete is poured. According to my builder, a big advantage is that the Styrofoam does not need to be glued after the basement is completed, and the basement is 100% watertight.
To be honest, what you have explained here is not clear to me, or I might just be missing something right now.
Who is your builder, and what do the soil report and the structural engineer say about the design of the waterproof basement?
Kind regards
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