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Foundation waterproofing and insulation

From: mmdell@earthlink.net
Category: Architecture and Building Design
Remote Name: 4.17.85.41
Date: 08 Feb 2001
Time: 08:37 PM

Comments

Dear Sir or Madame, I am building a new house this week and my builder asked me to do some last minute research on a foundation techniqe that I am requesting. We are laying a concrete block foundation on top of 9" footers. MY BUILDER ROUTINELY PARGES WITH 1/2 INCH OF CONCRETE THEN APPLIES A COAT OF FOUNDATION TAR OVER TOP THE DRIED PARGE. I have requested a layer of 6 mil poly be placed and fastened overtop the wet tar. Then over top of that a termite treated R-11 thickness EPS foam protection board be applied. In other words the EPS panel would lay between the backfill and the 6 mil poly.

The basement slab will be reinforced and poured over a bed of gravel ontop of which will rest EPS foam and ontop of the foam will rest a 6-mil poly film. The concrete will be poured over the film and expansion joints will lay between the wall and the slab. MY QUESTION- My builder feels the 6 mil poly and the EPS panels are "over-kill" given the parging and tar on the foundation walls. Am I making a mistake using either the EPS or the Poly membrane over the tar? Or, Am I suggesting a propper solution to a long lasting, dry basement. PS (foundation drain and sub slab drain tile system are standard)

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