Interior and Exterior water proofing.

[David C. Macy]

1931 year old home.

Home had an interior basement system installed. The interior system was no longer being used. (I wonder why ) There were 2 sumps that were abandoned with standing water. (Stinky, smelly and nasty) Concrete floor recently painted with numerous cracks and high levels of moisture.

Exterior excavation was done and they replaced 1/2 of the one foundation wall with concrete block. Rest of foundation was Terra Cotta Bricks. Entire exterior was excavated.

My issue is with the floor. The stinky smelly water needs to be removed. I recommended the floor and pumps be evaluated.

There was mold at portions of the interior panels and since exterior was done I recommended removing all the panels.

There was an area of damaged Terra Cotta. You would think they could patch these areas when the excavation is done. 11, 000 dollars

What do you think about the floor and pumps. The water needs to be removed. I would reinstall the pump(s)

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

I think the floor needs to be evaluted and the pumps replaced.

[john bubber]

Your finding some nice stuff there Dave.

Sometimes,efflorescence etc on a basement floor could have been caused by the water/salt that is/was coming in from cracks etc on outside of the wall and just like efflorescence on basement walls, efflorescence might be BEYOND-the-surface of a wall/concrete floor thus,won`t be able to get it all off.

Also, 'if' there is a storm trap cleanout you might want to recommend they check it and if needed....snake it.(lateral line)

Could also snake the tiles that empty into pit just to make sure there isn`t any blockage in those tiles.

[David P. Valley]

Dave,

I've never seen a basement waterproofing system fail, except (of course) if the electricity went out. Then a generator will have to be put in place.

I wouldn't recommend specific fixes to alleviate this particular moisture issue. What if your one suggestion fails?

I'd simply write this up as "Recommend basement waterproofing company evaluate existing basement system. Inoperative today, which is causing excessive moisture build-up throughout the basement".

[David C. Macy]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Dave,

I've never seen a basement waterproofing system fail, except (of course) if the electricity went out. Then a generator will have to be put in place.

I wouldn't recommend specific fixes to alleviate this particular moisture issue. What if your one suggestion fails?

I'd simply write this up as "Recommend basement waterproofing company evaluate existing basement system. Inoperative today, which is causing excessive moisture build-up throughout the basement".

Lets just say the interior system is no longer in use. (It did fail as they had to replace a section of wall)

I did recommend the floor and pumps to be evaluated.

(JB) Yes, there are some interesting finds and why I love inspecting.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by dmacy

Lets just say the interior system is no longer in use. (It did fail as they had to replace a section of wall)

The foundation replacement has nothing to do with the basement waterproofing system. I wonder if that was the old bulkhead location.

[David C. Macy]

Originally Posted by dvalley

The foundation replacement has nothing to do with the basement waterproofing system. I wonder if that was the old bulkhead location.

I would disagree.

Being a pourous terra cotta foundation and having the panels cover the entire wall it is possable that the system trapped water in between the panels and the foundation therefore resulting in deterioration. There are other spots that you could see the bowing and I was really wanting to remove the panel to see what damage was behind.

But anyways I think this is a good example of why not to install an interior waterproofing system.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by dmacy

But anyways I think this is a good example of why not to install an interior waterproofing system.

You mean....an improperly installed interior waterproofing system.

A professional waterproofing system will not affect the foundation....period.

The bowing that you are seeing is hydrostatic pressure from the exterior.

[David C. Macy]

Originally Posted by dvalley

You mean....an improperly installed interior waterproofing system.

A professional waterproofing system will not affect the foundation....period.

The bowing that you are seeing is hydrostatic pressure from the exterior.

I still disagree!! I personally think the moisture that is trapped between the panels and foundation can cause mold & deterioration.

[David P. Valley]

Like this....

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by dmacy

I still disagree!! I personally think the moisture that is trapped between the panels and foundation can cause mold & deterioration.

I never disagreed with that. Moisture will definitely cause a Mold build-up, but a professionally installed waterproofing system will not affect a foundation's ability to support a building.

I'm telling you that I bet it's.... hydrostatic pressure.

Why Foundations Fail

[John Evans]

David,

How do you use the Protimeter to test concrete moisture levels? I have not had much success using the same meter with concrete.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jevans

David,

How do you use the Protimeter to test concrete moisture levels? I have not had much success using the same meter with concrete.

John,

I don't use a moisture meter to check the level of moisture on concrete foundations. Most concrete foundations will have a high moisture level no matter what the conditions are. Yes, even dry foundations have a high moisture content.

Foundations that seep or leak moisture are obvious and remediating these foundations all depends on the conditions that exist throughout the property. I investigate all seepage issues while I'm on-site and inform my clients which steps to take in order to properly remedy any existing seepage issues in their prospective home.

[john bubber]

Ummmm,these inside system companies are NOT identifying WHERE the freaking water is entering,they NEVER waterproof the exterior of wall(s)......and THEY`RE experts???? huh? Chtt!!!!

They don`t ever recommend/bring up the possibility there can be a problem in the lateral line.ALL they want to do is b`chtt people into a water----diverting system,the only damn thing they do.

When homeowners have cracks,loose cracked parging on the outside of block walls,they never fix this chtt.

What about underground roots against the outside of walls?
They never remove these.

What about the homeowners who have cracks or bowed walls due to lateral soil pressure?
They don`t remove-relieve-lessen ANY of the lateral pressure which
CAUSES alot of cracks/bowed walls......jeses kristmas.

They also create/drill freaking HOLES in block walls.....not worried about
the possibility of MORE radon gas entering peoples basements?

What about mold,efflorescence? Not worried about this either....
behind that blccchtttt moronic vinyl sheeting they place against walls?

What about termites and other insects that will continue to enter exterior cracks when these morons only install inside systems.

What is professional about not identifying and correcting the above?

[john bubber]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Like this....
Attachment 31212
Attachment 31213

Sure hope they waterproofed the outside and backfilled w/gravel (pic 2)

Cuz if they didn`t,the cracks on the outside are still OPEN and soil,possible roots etc are still against the wall.