Moisture meters

[john bubber]

Mr Cyr,

dissatisfaction? umm, yes!!! lol with 'SOME' HI`s, yes!

have not only heard bs from some HI`s but have seen/read their
written reports on what they supposedly found `n actually recommended would solve leaky bsmt... i said 'some'.

Non-invasive and honest assessment of the CONDITION of the home?
Often one cannot 'honestly assess' the ACTUAL CONDITION of a
leak/basement wall if you cannot SEE it.

So while one can understand
many of you won`t be taking off a piece of drywall(having HO do it) or
doing a water-hose test one also can`t buy the 'actual condition' of the home part, in THIS case, a basement wall. Ya follow?

Say again, if it`s a finished basement then you cannot honestly assess
the real-condition of the basement walls and any possible crack(s),leak.

I`m not just yapping about any HI`s, talking about these salespeople
from inside-waterdiverting companies who do not diagnose/assess the
actual condition of bsmt walls, leak.

[phinsperger]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Unfortunately when it comes to block foundations, you will find me to not be an advocate, because most builders do not know how to build them, and waterproof the exterior and backfill.

Marcel, What is your method for building a block foundation?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Paul;

To answer your question, it took me a while to find something even close to what I mean to explain. This is the closest thing I could find.




I would like to set the record straight regarding concrete masonry unit foundations. There is no other basement system currently available with the design flexibility of a concrete masonry unit foundation. Concrete masonry unit foundations can be designed to meet all job site conditions. The built-in design flexibility of concrete masonry units is virtually limitless! Concrete masonry units can be manufactured to different strengths, ranging from their normal 1,900 PSI to well over 5,000 PSI. With proper placement of Re bar and grout in the cores, you can achieve 60 PCF fluid pressure at a lower cost than with other available systems.

The cores in concrete masonry units serve to lower the dew point in the wall. This stops sweating, which is very common on solid walls and other foundation systems.
A home is only as good as the foundation it sits on. Do you really want to build your home without using a solid-steel reinforced footer? Concrete masonry units provide structural benefits at an affordable price and save you money in which you can use to upgrade your living space. Concrete masonry units are the preferred choice of both home builders and home buyers in some areas.

I have outlined using the numbers on the picture for further explanation.

#1 4" concrete floor 3000 psi. concrete w/ 15 mil Stego wrap moisture barrier or equivalent.

#2 steel reinforcement 5/8" @ 32" o. c. .

#3 type M or S mortar.

#4 waterproofing membrane bituthane 4000 or equivalent with drainage board

#5 12" cmu with bond beam course at 2' o.c. vertically with two #4 bars.
and one course at top of wall.

#6 4" perimeter drain using S & D perforated pipe with a crushing strength of 1500-3000 psi

#7 3/4" crushed stone

#8 Non woven geotectile fabric wrapped over top of underdrains

#9 clean sit-free gravel 3" minus

#10 horizontal dura-wall block reinforcement on 16" o.c. vertically

#11 2" insulation full height of foundation to within 3" of grade

#12 Not shown 1/2" corner bar reinforcement at bondbeam courses.

#13. Not shown Grout all cores with 2500 psi block grout.

This is what would hold up in this part of the Country and not leak.
System design would and could be different based on the geographical area.

My preference, Concrete Foundation fully reinforced.

If one will spend $300,000 plus on a house, why not build it on a proper foundation to begin with.

It is kind of pay me now, or pay me later situation.

Hope this helps.

Marcel
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[Robert J. OConnor]

I have come across or evaluated situations where use of a moisture meter did not pick up significant moisture penetration or water damage ... and other cases where high moisture levels were indicated, but that was not the case based on further investigation and monitoring over time.

In addition ask yourself this question ... what are the industry accepted standards (e.g ASTM), procedures, sampling locations, and moisture levels for various circumstances and locations. You also need to consider weather conditions preceding an inspection.

Specialized tools like moisture meters can be useful ... but take readings with large grains of salt, and do not use as a substitute for knowledge and a thorough inspection using you most important and powerful tools ... your senses and your mind.

JMO & 2-nickels ...

[phinsperger]

Thank You Marcel for taking the time to detail it out. One question though. Unless I misunderstand, you seem to have two points that contradict each other.

Originally Posted by mcyr

The cores in concrete masonry units serve to lower the dew point in the wall. This stops sweating, which is very common on solid walls and other foundation systems.

Originally Posted by mcyr

#13. Not shown Grout all cores with 2500 psi block grout.

If all the cores are grouted, won't it function similar to a poured foundation with respect to sweating?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Paul;

That is because of text from the detail that was provided with the detail and true only when the cores are not filled.

I have seen where frost will transmitt through the web of the block at the top of the wall in colder climates.

That is the purpose of the 2" Styrofoam equivalent to the Formula 250 to prevent this when the cores are filled.
One could also go the extra mile and use insulated block cores, but doubt anyone would use them.

Good catch on your part.

Thanks

Marcel
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