Hello,
we have recently inherited a house that we would like to renovate, and I have a few questions regarding the basement and its waterproofing against external water.
The house was built around 1930. However, an extension was added at some point. The basement, as was common in those days, is made of fieldstones on which the house was constructed.
The basement is located almost in the center of the house. I have drawn a small sketch to illustrate this. Additionally, the interior walls of the basement have mostly been replastered, except for the gable wall, which remains partially unplastered.
As you can see, there is only one wall where water can enter from the outside, which is the gable wall. During recent heavy rain, I noticed that a considerable amount of water penetrated through this wall where it is still unplastered.
I then excavated around the basement from the outside to see where the water was coming in. I found one or two spots that looked suspicious. I assume that water was pressing against the exterior wall and then entered the basement through the partly loose, porous mortar.
I want to waterproof this area so I can backfill properly and have a reasonably dry basement. I would like to ask for advice on how to proceed with this.
My initial plan is to remove all the loose mortar or gravel between the fieldstones from the outside, then fill the joints with cement mortar and plaster the exterior wall. After that, I would apply a layer of bitumen membrane.
Would this be sufficient, or should I also install a drainage membrane (dimpled membrane) or something else?
How would you approach this?
we have recently inherited a house that we would like to renovate, and I have a few questions regarding the basement and its waterproofing against external water.
The house was built around 1930. However, an extension was added at some point. The basement, as was common in those days, is made of fieldstones on which the house was constructed.
The basement is located almost in the center of the house. I have drawn a small sketch to illustrate this. Additionally, the interior walls of the basement have mostly been replastered, except for the gable wall, which remains partially unplastered.
As you can see, there is only one wall where water can enter from the outside, which is the gable wall. During recent heavy rain, I noticed that a considerable amount of water penetrated through this wall where it is still unplastered.
I then excavated around the basement from the outside to see where the water was coming in. I found one or two spots that looked suspicious. I assume that water was pressing against the exterior wall and then entered the basement through the partly loose, porous mortar.
I want to waterproof this area so I can backfill properly and have a reasonably dry basement. I would like to ask for advice on how to proceed with this.
My initial plan is to remove all the loose mortar or gravel between the fieldstones from the outside, then fill the joints with cement mortar and plaster the exterior wall. After that, I would apply a layer of bitumen membrane.
Would this be sufficient, or should I also install a drainage membrane (dimpled membrane) or something else?
How would you approach this?
K
K.Brodbeck6 Sep 2012 06:07Hello kay123,
As far as I understand, you are doing everything yourself, but judging by your questions, you are not a professional?
Without having seen the building:
- Do you plan to have the basement within the heated perimeter later on? (insulation)
- Removing loose parts from the exterior wall and plastering it (to create a smooth base for waterproofing or insulation) sounds good, but I would check what type of plaster should be used and how long it needs to dry. On the one hand, otherwise any additional layers might not adhere properly, and on the other hand, the plaster itself may not dry sufficiently afterward.
- Then I would have a waterproofing layer applied (the contractor is also responsible for the workmanship!). I think just a bitumen coating would be too risky; I would rather go for fully bonded, welded bitumen membranes.
- Insulation if desired (perimeter insulation)
- Studded membrane or alternatively filter boards
- If a lot of water is expected, a drainage pipe as well.
Good luck
K.Brodbeck
As far as I understand, you are doing everything yourself, but judging by your questions, you are not a professional?
Without having seen the building:
- Do you plan to have the basement within the heated perimeter later on? (insulation)
- Removing loose parts from the exterior wall and plastering it (to create a smooth base for waterproofing or insulation) sounds good, but I would check what type of plaster should be used and how long it needs to dry. On the one hand, otherwise any additional layers might not adhere properly, and on the other hand, the plaster itself may not dry sufficiently afterward.
- Then I would have a waterproofing layer applied (the contractor is also responsible for the workmanship!). I think just a bitumen coating would be too risky; I would rather go for fully bonded, welded bitumen membranes.
- Insulation if desired (perimeter insulation)
- Studded membrane or alternatively filter boards
- If a lot of water is expected, a drainage pipe as well.
Good luck
K.Brodbeck
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