How to waterproof a strip foundation with your own hands

Building a sturdy and long-lasting structure requires waterproofing a strip foundation. Your foundation may be vulnerable to moisture damage without adequate waterproofing, which could result in major problems like mold, mildew, and structural weakness. Thankfully, if you have the necessary tools and a little knowledge, you can complete this significant task by yourself.

We’ll walk you through the waterproofing of your strip foundation in this guide, so that your house remains safe and dry. Everything from choosing the best waterproofing materials to properly applying them will be covered. Without the need for specialized knowledge or tools, following these steps will help you achieve professional results whether you’re protecting an old foundation or building a new one.

By taking the time to thoroughly waterproof your foundation, you can avoid future expensive repairs and feel secure in the knowledge that your house is protected from water damage. Together, we can establish a foundation that is as robust and durable as possible.

Do I need to waterproof a strip foundation??

Any kind of strip foundation can be made entirely of concrete or can include some. This substance can absorb water very well.

As the temperature falls below zero, it freezes, expands, and bursts like an internal explosion, destroying the foundation. The only way to stop this kind of thing from happening is to waterproof the tape by putting in a waterproof cutoff that keeps moisture from seeping into the material’s thickness.

If this process is skipped, the foundation’s service life will be greatly shortened, and a building built on a problematic foundation may experience unwanted processes like subsidence or destruction.

A wet base can also allow water to seep into the wall material, which can lead to corrosion of metal components and other unfavorable and hazardous processes.

Waterproofing is one of the most crucial procedures, and experts take it very seriously.

Differences between shallow and conventional foundations

Installing insulation does not fundamentally differ from one another. The areas in which the compositions are applied, the quantity of material used, and the processing time are the only variations. Since the shallow strip foundation’s device and the conventional type are identical except for the depth of immersion, all technological approaches are the same.

The density of contact between concrete and soil moisture, however, varies significantly depending on how much the concrete base is submerged. The typical strip foundation is submerged in the ground below the freezing point.

The base is in a riskier situation; variations in the soil’s water content or the infiltration of precipitation and melting precipitation pose a clear danger to the material. As a result, installing waterproofing for traditional strip foundations calls for more attention to detail and superior application.

What materials should be used

There are several approaches to implementing foundation waterproofing:

• Roll adhesive materials. They are various membranes, films or bitumen densities (roofing felt, parchment, hydroisol). Applied by gluing onto a layer of mastic or using heating.
• Coating materials. These include bitumen (heating and application), cold mastics (sold ready-to-use, applied by coating surfaces with a continuous layer).
• Penetrating materials. Materials that can be absorbed into the thickness of concrete and crystallize inside, filling the pores of the material and preventing moisture penetration. Applied with a brush or spraying.
• Injection materials. They have an effect similar to penetrating compounds, but are applied by drilling wells and pumping material into them under pressure. As a result, the composition impregnates a larger volume of concrete, strengthening it from the inside.
• Painting materials. These include liquid rubber or liquid polyurethane foam, which, after application, harden into an elastic, water-repellent film. Application is simple, but in terms of strength these materials are inferior to rolled types. The service life of painting materials is relatively low, which limits the use of this type of waterproofing.

Basic methods of horizontal waterproofing

As the name implies, horizontal waterproofing in the ground is applied to surfaces that are situated in a horizontal plane.

Regarding a strip foundation, this refers to a layer of insulation placed beneath a cushion of sand and gravel (often a roofing material layer) and a layer placed on top of the strip with the purpose of preventing the wall material’s capillary absorption of moisture.

Two varieties of horizontal waterproofing exist:

• Coating. Use mastics or similar materials applied to the surface with a brush or roller.
• Pasting. Rolled waterproofing materials are used.

Only the top cut-off layer applied to the tape’s surface is appropriate for the first option. One can use the second option from below as well as from above.

Additionally, the type of action determines the type of waterproofing that is used:

• Anti-filtration. Provides a tight seal against moisture penetration.
• Anti-corrosion. Designed to protect materials from the aggressive effects of chemical compounds present in soil water or formed as a result of soil contact with rain, melt or ground moisture.

Since horizontal waterproofing stops the effects of moisture from below and stops water from entering the concrete mass through capillaries, it is regarded as more significant and responsible. The most crucial component is the roofing material’s bottom layer, which is laid before the formwork is poured.

At least 10 centimeters more of the insulator are spread out on each side than the upcoming tape. The roofing material’s edges are then raised and sealed to the concrete using bitumen mastic, creating a wrap-like effect.

Vertical waterproofing methods

Concrete strip walls are installed with vertical waterproofing on both the interior and exterior. The process is meant to keep moisture out of the foundation, which can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, the breaking down of concrete, and frost cracks in the winter massif.

The exterior of the tape is the most important part, but internal protection must also be installed. This is required to stop condensation from forming on the cold foundation strip surface and seeping into the concrete.

Installing waterproofing becomes a necessary step in addition to setting up high-quality ventilation if there is a basement.

Selecting the right material for vertical waterproofing requires thought and consideration. Access to the surface is halted after the sinuses are filled, so precision is essential.

Use the following to apply to the concrete strip:

• Coating compounds (mastic, heated bitumen). Recommended only for application from the outside of the strip, since they are effective only with direct moisture pressure. Application is carried out by spraying, painting or (most often) coating surfaces. It is most convenient to use ready-to-use mastic, since an open fire has to be used to heat the bitumen, which is not always possible.
• Roll materials. Traditional type of waterproofing, along with tar. The most common type is roofing felt, parchment and hydroisol are also common. Application is carried out either on a layer of hot bitumen or on mastic. Installation of the second layer can be done on the previous one by heating the material itself; the molten layer of bitumen connects the layers like an adhesive composition.
• Penetrating compounds. This type of waterproofing impregnation appeared relatively recently, but has managed to prove itself on the positive side. The compositions do not form a waterproof cut-off, but change the properties of concrete, stopping the possibility of moisture absorption. There are compositions for surface application and for deep impregnation from the inside by pumping the composition into drilled holes. After application, the composition impregnates the base material, crystallizes, clogging all concrete capillaries and blocking the possibility of absorption.

The type of foundation, immersion depth, soil hydrogeological composition, and operating conditions of the foundation should all be considered when selecting the best material. Professionals advise employing penetrating compounds to achieve superior waterproofing of a novel kind.

When applying penetrating waterproofing compounds, it’s important to follow the technology of use and make sure the right conditions are met (dry surface, temperature not below zero, absence of strong winds or scorching sun).

Basic supplies like waterproofing membranes or coatings are required in order to successfully waterproof a strip foundation on your own. Make sure the foundation surface is clean and clear of debris before beginning any preparations. Evenly apply a suitable waterproofing material, paying attention to the layer thickness and drying times specified by the manufacturer. Since leaks are most likely to occur in joints and corners, pay close attention to these areas. After application, shield the waterproofing from harm while building and backfilling. In order to ensure long-term effectiveness and stop moisture from penetrating into the foundation of your home and potentially causing structural issues, regular maintenance and inspection are recommended.

Pile-strip foundation

There are two steps involved in DIY waterproofing a pile-tape base: first, processing the piles and then, insulating the tape. The right methods are applied for waterproofing piles based on the kind and depth of their submersion in the earth.

For instance, tubes composed of a material impermeable to moisture are filled with bored piles. In accessible areas, driven piles are isolated. Concrete with hydrophobic additives is used to create modern types of concrete piles, which stop moisture from seeping into the massif.

One of the least expensive or most appropriate insulators for building conditions is used to process the tape.

Both more contemporary techniques, like impregnation or spraying rubber-bitumen liquid emulsion or polyurethane foam, and more conventional techniques, like coating with hot tar, bitumen, pasting with roofing felt, etc., can be utilized.

The ultimate decision is determined by a confluence of factors and can only be made by looking into the particular basis.

Which method is most optimal??

One of the best ways to waterproof concrete is to impregnate it with hydrophobic compounds. Unlike conventional methods, which require a lot of work and don’t offer total tightness, impregnation doesn’t produce an outer layer.

The cut-off is easily damaged during surface work such as backfilling, which increases the chance of moisture seeping into the hole. This risk is removed by impregnation, which compacts and seals the concrete to a specific depth.

The resulting protection won’t be harmed by mechanical stress, contact with objects, or loads when the sinuses are filled; the base won’t lose its hydrophobic properties.

Useful video

You can see how to waterproof a foundation in this video:

Proper waterproofing of your strip foundation is essential for the long-term stability and longevity of your structure. You can successfully shield your foundation from water damage and possible structural problems by taking the procedures listed here.

To begin, give the foundation’s surface a thorough cleaning to get rid of any dirt, debris, or outdated waterproofing materials. This makes sure that the new waterproofing application has a smooth and clean foundation.

Over the whole surface of the strip foundation, evenly apply a premium waterproofing membrane or coating. For the greatest results, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Particular attention should be paid to weak spots like joints, corners, and the vicinity of pipes and utility penetrations. Because of their susceptibility to water seepage, these areas need additional waterproofing layers to strengthen their defenses.

It is important to give the waterproofing material enough time to cure and dry completely before backfilling or submerging it in water. In order to guarantee the waterproofing barrier’s longevity and efficacy, this step is essential.

Make sure the waterproofing system is regularly inspected and maintained so that any wear, damage, or deterioration can be quickly addressed. Regular maintenance helps the waterproofing last longer and avoids future expensive repairs.

By being proactive, you can protect your strip foundation from potential structural problems and water infiltration, ensuring a strong and stable foundation for the life of your building.

Video on the topic

WATERPROOFING STRIP FOUNDATION

Horizontal waterproofing of a strip foundation with your own hands, quickly and easily

WATERPROOFING a strip FOUNDATION with your own hands