Water proofing in basements

Introduction

• Waterproofing is the formation of an impervious barrier which is designed to

prevent water entering or escaping from various sections of building structures.
• Waterproofing is the combination of materials or systems that prevent water
intrusion into structural elements of the buildings or its finished spaces.

Why waterproof a basement ?

1. Hydrostatic Pressure
2. Concrete cracks
3. Capillary Action
4. Vapor Transmission
5. Condensation

Basement showing positive and negative side

with all type of forces acting on it .

Basements can be waterproofed by one of three basic

methods namely:-
1. Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor.
2. Tanking techniques.
3. Drained cavity system.
4. Box Type waterproofing.
5. Bentonite.
6. Sheet membranes.
7. Liquid membranes.

1. Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor –

• The main objective is to form a watertight basement using dense high quality
reinforced or pre stressed concrete by a combination of good materials, good
workmanship, and attention to design detail and on site construction methods.
• If strict control of all aspects is employed a sound watertight structure can be
produced but it should be noted that such structures are not always water vapour-
proof.
• If the latter is desirable some waterproof coating, lining or tanking should be used.
• The water tightness of dense concrete mixes depends primarily upon two factors:
Water/cement ratio, Degree of compaction.

Gauri Shelar Sr No 58
 Monolithic concrete walls and floor

Advantages
Concrete is the easiest waterproofing materials to use. The materials are readily
available, and they're easy to mix and apply.

Disadvantages
The chief disadvantage is that cement just doesn't stretch to any degree. It will stand
up fine to a head of water, but will tolerate almost no joint or crack movement.

Expansion Joints

• Expansion joints in buildings/ other structures may become source of perennial

seepage due to failure of expansion joint filler sand sealants.
• Expansion joint should be treated with suitable non-absorbent, compressible, non-
brittle and water tight sealants so that no leakage occurs through joint.

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 2. Tanking techniques -
• The objective of tanking is to provide a continuous waterproof membrane which is
applied to the base slab and walls with complete continuity between the two
applications.
• The tanking can be applied externally or internally according to the circumstances
prevailing on site.

a) External Tanking-
This is the preferred method since it not only prevents the ingress of water it also
protects the main structure of the basement from aggressive sulphates which may
be present in the surrounding soil or ground water.

External Tanking Details

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 b) Internal Tanking -
• This method should only be adopted if external tanking is not possible since it will
not give protection to the main structure and unless adequately loaded may be
forced away from the walls and/or floor by hydrostatic pressure.
• To be effective the horizontal and vertical coats of mastic asphalt must be
continuous.

3. Drained Cavity System -

• This method of waterproofing basements can be used for both new and
refurbishment work.
• The basic concept is very simple in that it accepts that a small amount of water
seepage is possible through a monolithic concrete wall and the best method of
dealing with such moisture is to collect it and drain it away.
• This is achieved by building an inner non-load bearing wall to form a cavity which is
joined to a floor composed of special triangular tiles laid to falls which enables the
moisture to drain away to a sump from which it is either discharged direct or
pumped into the surface water drainage system.
• The inner wall should be relatively vapour tight or alternatively the cavity should
be ventilated.

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 4. Box Type waterproofing-
Proedure
•A base-coat in cement mortar 1:4 mixed with waterproofing compound is laid over
the Raft PCC and above this rough Shahabad tiles are fixed with minimum thickness
of joints. Joints are staggered. Thickness of the Shahabad tile should be between
32mm to 40mm (1.25”-1.5”).
• After fixing the tiles, the joints are sealed with C.M. 1:3 and 15mm metal is pressed
in the joints for enhanced strength and less shrinkage. Over this, a jointless layer of
C.M. 1:3 with waterproofing compound approx. 25mm thick is applied and cured for
7 days. This layer provides a smooth layer for the raft and also protects the Shahabad
tiles from getting damaged by steel bars laying and labour movement.
•Over this plastered base, raft is cast and RCC retaining walls are erected. Shahabad
tiles are fixed to the vertical retaining walls from outside. Cement paste is applied on
all four corners of a Shahabad tile and it is pressed firmly on the RCC wall in line and
level.
• At a time only a height of 1m is fixed. Total height above the ground level is taken as
1’-6”. Joints are then sealed in C.M. 1:2 (Pointing). The Shahabad dado is then
grouted using cement slurry with waterproofing compound and cured for 7 days.
•This entire process forms a box around the structure and does not allow any water
to seep through or leak from the basement.

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 Box Type Waterproofing

5. Bentonite-
Bentonite works because it can absorb a tremendous amount of water. As it takes in
water, the clay swells to 15 times its original volume and pushes itself into cracks and
voids. When it reaches its maximum volume, it stays in these areas permanently to seal
against water.

Advantages
Bentonite has its advantages, however: It's safe to work with, non-polluting, easy and
quick to apply, and can go on even at low temperatures.

Disadvantages
With other products, you can inspect the finished waterproofing application and
confirm the integrity of the seal before backfilling. With bentonite panels, the seal
doesn't form until the foundation is backfilled and water reaches the panel.

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6. Sheet Membranes-
The purpose of sheeting membrane is to completely cover any imperfections in the
substrate or background. They are numerous and include:
· Metal sheets in the form of lead, copper or stainless steel flashing or trays.
· Multilayer bituminous paper system with gravel topping for protection.
· Butyl rubber sheeting
· Semi-rigid asbestos asphalt sheeting
· Bitumen/polyethylene sheets
· PVC Polyvinylchloride

The sheeting membranes can be applied as fully bonded to the substrate or

unbonded. The most commonly specified sheet materials are self-adhering
rubberized asphalt membranes. These 60-mil-thick membranes are composed of
rubberized asphalt laminated to a waterproof polyethylene film. The asphalt side is
incredibly sticky but is covered by a release paper, which you remove during
application.

Advantages
•The advantages of sheeting membranes provide highly trafficable surfaces and have
insulating properties.
•A chief advantage of sheet membranes is their consistent thickness. Because they're
manufactured to exacting tolerances, it can be sure of the 60-mil coverage. These
membranes also have good elongation.

Disadvantages
•Sheeting membranes in general suffer from poor exposure resistance, temperature
stability and little recovery from deformation.
•All sheet membranes require venting if the substrate is water logged, or severe
bubbling will occur developing stresses onto the adhesive leading to eventual
adhesion fracture.
•A higher in-place cost is one of the main disadvantages of sheets.

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Liquid Membranes -
The liquid applied membrane provides a fully bonded, continuous seam-free,
homogenous layer with no laps or joins which is a major advantage over sheeting
membranes.
Some of the liquid membranes available are:
· Mastic asphalt
· Two components polyurethane tar modified
· Polyester resin two parts reinforced wit fibreglass matt
· Flexible epoxy resin two parts
· Bitumen latex modified single pack
· Acrylic co-polymer water based single part

A liquid membrane is applied by spray, roller, or trowel.

Advantages
Liquid coatings have the advantages of quick application, low in-place cost, and
excellent elongation.
One of the important characteristics of liquid membranes is it's ability to breathe.

Disadvantages
One of the chief disadvantages is the possible inconsistency in coverage. The typical
application thickness is 60 mils, but it takes a careful applicator to be sure of always
achieving that minimum coverage.
Regardless of which class of membrane is used, waterproofing membranes are only as
good as the applicator.

Admixtures
Admixtures is a substance added to the concrete to achieve or modify its property.
If admixtures are used they should be carefully chossen and used to obtain a specific
objective,
•Water-reducing admixtures- used to improve workability.
•Retarding admixture- Slow sown of hardening.
•Accelerating admixtures- increase of hardening.
•Water-repelling admixtures- Effective with low water levels.
•Air-entraining admixture- increase workability, lower water cement ratio.

Thank You

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