Installation of horizontal and vertical waterproofing of the foundation. Do-it-yourself foundation waterproofing: how to make your own foundation waterproofing at home Ways to waterproof the foundation

20.11.2021

Water destroys the building structures of the building, making them unusable, reducing the service life. This is especially true for the underground part of the house, which is exposed to several types of moisture at once. Outside, rain and melt water has a devastating effect on it, and groundwater causes trouble in the soil, the level of which may vary depending on the season. Waterproofing methods for the foundation of a building depend on its type and method of manufacture (tape, slab, pillars or piles).

How does moisture affect

There are several ways in which water can lead to the destruction of a concrete foundation:

  • Washing out of the structure of particles, the formation of bumps and potholes due to aggressive components in rain or ground water.
  • Destruction when water penetrates into the body of the foundation and freezes it there. The fact is that water is the only substance on the planet that, when it goes into a frozen state, expands, and does not decrease in volume. Getting into the capillaries, it exerts strong pressure on the foundation from the inside, which leads to the appearance of cracks and crevices.

That is why the waterproofing of the foundation is important and should be carried out immediately after the construction of the structure.

Types of moisture protection by location

In general, the foundation waterproofing device is divided into three groups:

  • horizontal;
  • vertical;
  • blind area device.

Depending on the type of foundation, several methods can be applied simultaneously.

Combined moisture protection

Horizontal is designed to prevent the penetration of moisture between different levels. It can be made from various materials. It is provided for all types of foundations (tapes, slabs, pillars, piles).

Vertical is needed so that groundwater cannot affect the foundation. Not all types of grounds need such protection. Required only for strip and column supports at home. Horizontal protection is provided for all types (device of tape, plate or free-standing supports).

The blind area device protects the base from the penetration of rainwater and melt in the spring. Here, the width of the structure is essential. If it is insufficient, then the moisture will be removed a short distance and will be able to get to the foundation. This type of protection reduces the load on all others, allowing them to increase their service life.

Vertical and horizontal insulation


Waterproofing with roll material

Foundation waterproofing can be carried out using various means of protection. Separately, it is worth considering the vertical and horizontal views and the blind area, since the materials in these cases will differ quite a lot.

Protection of the buried part of the building with vertical and horizontal insulation suggests that materials can be used for the following methods:

  • pasting;
  • coating;
  • penetrating;
  • plastering;
  • injection;
  • mounted;
  • structural (additives in concrete).

It is worth separately understanding what material to use in each case.

Okleyechnaya

Such protection of the structure is carried out using roll options on a bituminous binder. Fusion or bonded material can be used. Built-up types imply the presence of an adhesive layer that is heated when high temperatures and stick to the surface. To fix the insulation without an adhesive layer on the base, it will be necessary to use bituminous mastic as a connecting agent.

Covering materials include:


The use of roofing material is the most common method
  • only(the material is outdated and it is not recommended to use it as a protection for the critical structures of the house, but it is worth noting its low cost);
  • glassine(waterproofing of the foundation based on thick dense cardboard, which is impregnated with bituminous binder, cannot be attributed to reliable and durable methods, but will significantly save money);
  • ruberoid(remains the leader among rolled insulation due to its affordable price, the service life is quite short);
  • polymeric materials impregnated with bitumen fiberglass or polyester backing(here, as an example, the following common options for protecting the walls and foundations of a house from moisture can be given: Linokrom, Gidroizol, TechnoNIKOL, Stekloizol, Bikrost, etc.).

The last group is the most reliable option, but the price of such material can be quite high.

But here it is worth considering their long service life, which will reduce the frequency of repairs. The advantages of the pasting method include the fact that it can be provided for various surfaces:

  • concrete;
  • wood;
  • metal;
  • asphalt concrete;
  • old waterproofing coating (during repair).

Coating insulation

Foundation waterproofing in this case is most often performed using bituminous mastics. To protect the buried part of the building and the walls of the house, one-component and two-component compositions are used. In addition to bitumen on the market building materials now you can find more reliable and modern options:

  • polymer resins;
  • bitumen-polymer resins;
  • bitumen-rubber mastics.

Unlike ordinary bitumen, which cracks at low temperatures, these mixtures with additional additives are resistant to cold. The disadvantage of more modern options is their price, which cannot compete with conventional bitumen-based mastic. The latter is best used to protect the structures of the house with a deep location of groundwater.

Penetrating insulation

Waterproofing the foundation in this way prevents moisture from entering the concrete capillaries. This increases the strength of the surface layer of concrete. Waterproofing a strip foundation in this way is often carried out using an additional coating or pasting layer.

On average, the penetration depth is 15-25 cm, but some materials are able to go deep by 90 cm. It is important to note that such methods are only suitable for concrete. When used on brick and stone, they are useless.

The most common compositions for this method of processing steel:

  1. "Penetron";
  2. "Peneplug";
  3. "Hydrohit";
  4. "Penecrete".
  5. "Osmosil".

Protection of the concrete base from moisture

The technology for protecting the foundations and walls of the house in this way implies a thoroughly cleaned, degreased and even base, therefore it is recommended for use on new buildings.

Paint and plaster insulation

Do-it-yourself waterproofing of the foundation with the use of painting and plastering compounds does not differ in durability and reliability. If possible, it is better to give preference to other ways to protect the foundations and walls of the house, since the average service life of such materials is 5 years.

Injection isolation


Technique for introducing polyurethane resin into the base

The option is suitable for repairing a base that has already been put into operation. The technology allows you to protect the foundation without excavation work. Injectors are introduced to the supports and deliver the insulating substance. The following materials can be used as raw materials:

  • foam;
  • resins;
  • acrylate gels;
  • rubber;
  • cement-containing mixtures;
  • polymer compositions.

Mounted insulation

Waterproofing the foundation in this way allows you to most effectively deal with the high level of groundwater and their high pressure. It is mainly used for strip foundations when it is required to protect an underground room.

The most reliable way of mounted waterproofing can be called a steel caisson. In this case, the structure of the walls and floor of the basement is sheathed from the inside with sheets of steel 4-6 mm thick. The option is very expensive, so it is extremely rarely used.

Brick walls are sometimes erected outside, but in most cases this method is used in conjunction with a pasting or coating option. The brick is more likely not to protect the foundation from moisture, but to protect the waterproofing from mechanical damage.

blind area device

Do-it-yourself waterproofing of the foundation in this case involves using the following blind area materials to protect the structure from the outside from atmospheric moisture:


Blind area production
  • concrete;
  • asphalt concrete;
  • clay;
  • paving slabs;
  • diffusion membranes.

The choice of the method of manufacturing the blind area depends on the preferences of the future owner of the house, the architectural solution and the availability of materials. The cheapest option for the blind area will be its laying of concrete or asphalt. This option is not attractive. appearance, but allows you to protect the foundation without much labor. In addition, savings on raw materials for manufacturing are provided. The blind area device made of concrete or asphalt is popular in the mass construction of multi-apartment residential buildings and administrative and public buildings.

Waterproofing technology depending on the type of foundation

Each type of support under a building needs certain protection options. Before waterproofing the foundation, you need to find out what is required for a full range of activities.

Strip foundation protection

The waterproofing of the strip foundation is different for the monolithic and prefabricated versions. Let's take a look at the assembly first. To prevent damage to the underground walls of the house and flooding of the basement, the following measures will be required:

  • arrangement of a reinforced joint between factory-made foundation slabs and concrete blocks of basement walls;
  • laying the roll material in the first seam between the blocks, which is located below the basement floor level;
  • rolled material is mounted along the edge of the foundation at the junction of the walls and the supporting structure;
  • vertical insulation of the underground part of the tape from the outside;
  • blind area device.

Strip base protection

It is important to note that at the junction of foundation slabs and concrete blocks, it is impossible to lay materials on a bituminous binder. This can lead to displacement of elements relative to each other. Only a thickened device is suitable here concrete joint. Insulation along the edge of the foundation is necessary so that the different moisture content of the material of the supporting parts of the structure and wall fences does not lead to destruction. For horizontal insulation, gluing methods are used.

It is better to perform vertical insulation from the outside, since this will not only protect the room, but also the load-bearing elements. In new construction, walls can be treated with gluing or coating materials. The interior is being renovated. In this case, a penetrating or injection type is used.

If you need to perform a set of waterproofing works for a monolithic tape, then it is worth considering the following measures:

  • vertical isolation;
  • waterproofing along the edge of the foundation;
  • blind area device.

Materials are selected in the same way as for the prefabricated version.

Protection of columnar and pile foundations


A simple method of moisture protection

Here the simplest type of protection against moisture is used. It will only be necessary to make insulation along the edge of the foundation. Its location depends on the material of the grillage. If the strapping is made of the same material as the foundation, then the roll materials are laid at the point of contact between the grillage and the walls. You can consider another option. For example, wooden house rests on metal piles. In this case, the lower crown of the walls will serve as a grillage, so the insulating layer is laid on the heads of the supporting elements.

Foundation plate protection

To protect against moisture, the following measures will need to be provided here:

  • concrete preparation of lean concrete to protect the slab from underground water and level the base;
  • waterproofing for concrete preparation;
  • protection from external moisture.

Foundation slab waterproofing

For the manufacture of the second layer, roll methods are used when installing the plate. It is best to focus on modern materials, since after pouring the slab, it is almost impossible to monitor the condition of such insulation or carry out repairs. For small buildings with a low degree of responsibility and low water saturation of the soil, polyethylene film is often used.

To protect the plate from moisture that can get from above, it must be treated with penetrating compounds. Sometimes in private housing construction they resort to using the following method: a solution for penetrating insulation is introduced into the concrete.

Also, after pouring the slab, it will be necessary to provide for the laying of roll material in the places where the walls are supported.

Before you properly waterproof the foundation (tape plates, piles, pillars), you need to carefully study the issue. It is important to use quality materials. If you save at this stage of construction, you can spend a large number of funds for repairs during operation.

Waterproofing the foundation is no less important stage in the construction of a country cottage than the construction of the foundation itself. I must say, this is a necessary measure, thanks to which the foundation of the house will be reliably protected from the penetration of moisture, groundwater, rainwater or snowmelt. So everyone who started building their own Vacation home, must wonder: how to waterproof the foundation?

The value of waterproofing increases many times if the house is planned to be built with an exploited basement or basement, as well as if groundwater is present on the site. The presence of fungus and mold on the walls in the basement and ground floor. And, most importantly, the safety of the foundation depends.

External waterproofing of the foundation is a necessary measure to protect it from exposure environment. It will not be there, water will begin to seep through the capillaries into the walls of the base. In winter, it will freeze and expand, creating microcracks through which new moisture will enter, which will gradually lead to a loss of strength of the foundation material of the house and the subsequent need to repair the waterproofing of the foundation or the entire foundation as a whole.

Not the last issue in waterproofing is its quality. It depends how long it takes overhaul foundation waterproofing. Agree, it is better to do everything well once and thoroughly than to redo it many times later. In addition, the repair of hydrolysis or only the foundation is very expensive. Indeed, to do this, you must first dig it out, clean it from the ground and old waterproofing, restore the foundation, and only then apply new insulation from soil moisture, and then you still have to return all the soil to its place and make a blind area.

There are many ways to waterproof the foundation, but they should be separated. Any single method of isolation from soil moisture may not be suitable for a certain type of foundation. It follows that the waterproofing of the foundation must be divided not only according to the principle of creating a waterproofing layer, but also according to the principle of building the foundation itself.

In the matter of waterproofing the foundation, attention should be paid both to its insulation and to the waterproofing between the foundation and the walls of the house (log house, brickwork), no matter what your cottage is built from, and especially if according to the plan it is wood or wooden panels, waterproofing is needed.

What waterproofing to choose for the foundation

Let's take a look at what types of insulation exist, and what kind of waterproofing to choose for the foundation. Before dealing with the main one, and thinking about what kind of waterproofing should be chosen for the foundation, you need to understand what it is still worth protecting from?

When building a foundation of any type, it is protected from:

If there is groundwater on the site, then it is necessary to raise the question of the depth of their location. Also, keep in mind the level of seasonal uplift. And if the level of groundwater is very high, whether it is seasonal or permanent, that is, it is above the base of the foundation, then one cannot get off with waterproofing, it is necessary to do drainage work and divert water from the building.

From the waters penetrating to the foundation from above (precipitation and spring waters), it is protected by a blind area. Precipitation exists in any region, so it is mandatory to install it. There will be no blind area, the foundation will be subjected to an additional influx of moisture, and it will be possible to damage it or its waterproofing.

So, from all of the above, it is clear that the choice of hydrolysis is influenced by a number of external factors. Therefore, what kind of waterproofing to choose for the foundation depends on the conditions in which it is planned to build a house and on the type of foundation.

  • The slab foundation is isolated from soil moisture by the roll method, and the adhesive base is often bituminous mastic.
  • Several types of waterproofing are suitable for a strip foundation at once: coating, roll, membrane and injection (penetrating or injection waterproofing method).
  • columnar or pile foundation coating or paint waterproofing is suitable, using bitumen or latex-bitumen compounds.

Types of foundation waterproofing

As can be seen from the above, there are many types of foundation waterproofing. They differ both in the method of application to the base, and in the material of manufacture, its composition and properties. Among them there are types of foundation waterproofing, which have long become traditional, and there are innovative ones.

We will analyze each type separately and consider the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the scope of their application in more detail.

Foundation waterproofing roll

Roll waterproofing of the foundation can rightfully be considered traditional. The oldest method of roll hydrolysis of the foundation was simple, hot bitumen was applied to the foundation as a binding base, after which roofing material was glued onto it. But the roofing material becomes brittle from low temperatures and is prone to decomposition, this is a minus, along with the laboriousness of pasting the foundation.

Now, roll materials for waterproofing the foundation have become more reliable. These are hydroisol, hydrostekloizol, brizol, hydrobutyl. They also do not tolerate low temperatures well and show fragility, especially in places of kinks.

Among other things, the surface covered with rolled materials for waterproofing the foundation must be protected from mechanical damage caused by settlement of the house or backfilling. To do this, construct an additional protective screen. However, despite all the shortcomings, this method can be considered traditional. It is quite widespread.

Coating foundation waterproofing

Usually, coating waterproofing of the foundation was carried out with hot bituminous mastics. Coating materials for waterproofing were heated and applied to the foundation. But the service life of such bituminous mastics is short (5-6 years), they do not tolerate low temperatures, lose their elasticity and are easily damaged.

Currently, cold mastics are used, which are based on organic solvents. Such compounds (bitumen-rubber and bitumen-polymer) are much more durable than outdated products, they are more elastic, more convenient to apply.

It is worth paying attention to mastics based on polyurethane. They have high moisture resistance, they are resistant to chemicals and microorganisms, and have great elasticity.

Elasticity indicators are important for waterproofing materials, because the foundation, like the house as a whole, tends to settle over time, and therefore there are some violations and movements of the base and walls of the foundation. They lead to a violation of the outer waterproofing layer of the foundation.

A good choice could be Hyperdesmo-RV. This is a two-component composition, polyurethane-bitumen. It has one small drawback, before working with it, you need to mix the components.

Of the negative aspects of this waterproofing method, it is also worth noting that the coating insulation should be applied to a perfectly leveled foundation surface in order to avoid a non-hermetic coating.

Another nuance is the need to protect the coating. But there is no particular problem here, it is enough to put a layer of thermal insulation on top of the mastic or add a roll coating. Sometimes, in order to preserve the waterproofing coating, the foundation is covered with sand, in this case, additional protection is placed only on the base of the house.

The advantage of coating waterproofing over roll insulation is simplicity. The mastic can be applied with a brush or roller, resulting in a smooth, seamless coating, you can count on 25-30 years of its service.

The plaster method can also be attributed to the coating waterproofing of the foundation. He is quite labor intensive. With this method, multicomponent mixtures based on cement are used. The compositions of such solutions are glass-cement, polymer-cement, with the addition of activated shotcrete, etc.

The resulting plaster must be monitored for several days so that it dries evenly and cracks do not form on it. Sometimes a layer of waterproofing must be covered with a film or burlap.

Despite its complexity, this method of waterproofing the foundation is considered traditional. Therefore, when planning to build a cottage, you should pay attention to this method.

Membrane foundation waterproofing

By and large, membrane waterproofing of the foundation is nothing more than a kind of gluing or roll waterproofing system. The principle of operation is the same, only modern materials are used. In the membrane waterproofing of the foundation, special elastic systems are reinforced, capable of withstanding heavy loads.

The technology of waterproofing using membrane systems can be used in almost any conditions, so its scope is not limited. Unlike other materials, the thickness of the membrane coating is no more than a few millimeters, withstands the appearance of cracks on the base up to several centimeters, withstands dynamic loads and temperature changes.

An example of membrane systems is the LATICRETE 9235 system.

Foundation waterproofing injection

The principle of injection waterproofing is quite simple. The applied composition penetrates into the outer layers of concrete and fills the pores, displacing moisture and protecting it from the entry of a new one. In addition, the injection waterproofing of the foundation has the property of healing concrete and protects the reinforcement from corrosion. This tool is well in demand when repairing foundation waterproofing.

This is the only method that allows waterproofing without access to the outside of the foundation, i.e. the side that is in contact with the ground.

There are two ways to apply injection formulations: under pressure and without it. The first method requires certain injection tools that work under pressure, and is not suitable for independent waterproofing. The second way is more democratic. The injection composition is applied to the foundation or walls of the basement of the house in several layers with an interval in application of about a day.

There are many compositions for injection isolation, for example, you can use Maxseal, XYPEX, PENETRON, VANDEX, etc.

Foundation waterproofing device

The foundation waterproofing device must cover all parts of the foundation. Regardless of which method of foundation waterproofing is chosen, there is a certain sequence of actions and types of waterproofing.

  • Horizontal waterproofing;
  • vertical waterproofing.

Horizontal waterproofing works are usually carried out at two levels:

Horizontal waterproofing is carried out approximately in this way. If the future house or cottage has strip foundation with open ground, then a layer of clay or other compactor is laid out on the ground, which is subsequently rammed. The next two layers of concrete must be laid at intervals of several days so that the first layer is sufficiently dry. Next, the selected waterproofing agent is placed on the concrete, usually a layer of mastic is applied before it is laid. Further, the waterproofing is poured with concrete, on which the moisture insulation at the basement level can be considered complete.

At the level of the plinth, waterproofing is carried out in a similar way, with the exception that a layer of clay or other soil compaction is not required.

Under vertical waterproofing is meant isolation from moisture of all vertical components of the foundation. Mostly basement walls. If the cottage will stand on dry ground, with a minimum content of constant moisture, then two layers of the selected mastic will be enough. If things are a little worse with the soil, there are groundwater, or significant seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture, then it will be necessary to arrange a watercourse if necessary, or limit yourself to a more thorough study of waterproofing according to the chosen method.

If the house will be made from a log house, then waterproofing is also carried out between the foundation and the log house. Usually it is arranged by laying the waterproofing material on the mastic in several layers. Basement and foundation walls are recommended to be treated on both sides. After backfilling the foundation, a blind area is necessarily arranged.

Foundation insulation and waterproofing

With proper construction, the cottage is planned to be insulated comprehensively, respectively, the insulation and waterproofing of the foundation will be an integral part of the plan. It should be noted that it is not worth neglecting the insulation, it will protect the waterproofing of the foundation from temperature extremes and heaving of the soil in winter. Thermal insulation of the foundation must meet the requirements:

  • maximum compressive strength;
  • low thermal conductivity and moisture absorption;
  • resistance to environmental aggression;
  • durability;
  • fire resistance.

In case of compliance with all requirements and norms, you can count on the durability of the structure. It is also worth choosing high-quality and reliable materials for both insulation and foundation insulation. Remember that the miser pays twice!

How to make a foundation waterproofing for a cottage or a country house


Mortgaging the future home, together with general questions you need to think about how to waterproof the foundation. This point is no less important than choosing the type of foundation or cottage project. Proper waterproofing will ensure the reliability of the house, the safety of the foundation

- the basis of the durability of the entire building as a whole, as well as the safety of the people living in it. Every self-respecting builder pays very special attention to foundation work, the so-called "zero cycle" in combination with earthworks. The foundation is not temporary or built by eye, since its reconstruction in most cases is irrational.

This underground element of architecture is constantly in an aggressive environment, periodically saturated with moisture, and therefore needs additional protection. Regardless of the material of the foundation, and the technology of its construction, a substance such as water can destroy even concrete. To avoid fatal destruction, in today's construction practice different waterproofing materials are used. But how to figure out which one is the most suitable in our case? How to do right choice waterproofing, so as not to spend extra money on materials and the work of craftsmen? And is it possible to do the waterproofing of the foundation with your own hands?

The processes of movement of moisture in the soil, or why it is necessary to waterproof the foundation

Moisturizing the foundation can occur in various ways. Precipitation floods it from the outside, perched water and groundwater from the inside. In addition to everything, this element, due to its constant presence in the ground, does not have the opportunity to dry properly and to erode excessive accumulations of moisture. The structure of concrete, an artificial stone material, has pores through which capillary moisture under pressure can penetrate several meters upwards, rising to the very floor of the ground floor.

The disadvantages of moisture accumulation in concrete can be grouped into the following list:


Flooding of the foundation with groundwater or perched water can also lead to its subsidence, and the roll of the entire structure. Since we are talking about stone materials that have extremely low flexibility, only a few degrees of deviation from the horizon are considered acceptable.


Types of waterproofing for foundations

There are many ways to waterproof the foundation base. Purely technologically, they are all aimed at maximizing the prevention of foundation moisture.

According to the nature of the application, waterproofing is divided into the following types:


According to the types of materials, waterproofing is divided into the following varieties:


We do the waterproofing of the foundation with our own hands

Consider in practice the work on waterproofing the foundation on the example of the foundation for a small country house. low-rise construction is considered the most relevant and widespread, so we will make the foundation for our house in the form of a foundation slab under the basement walls with a height of 2.30m.

The list of waterproofing works is as follows:

  1. Filled pillow- to prevent groundwater that can rise to the level of our basement, we will make a pillow of sand or ASG, 10-15cm thick. On top of it, it is necessary to backfill with gravel in order to prevent capillary moisture from soaking into the monolithic foundation slab of the basement;
  2. Drainage- in the process of a seasonal rise in the water level in the soil, hydrostatic pressure is created, which one waterproofing cannot reduce. This problem is especially felt when the groundwater level is high, for example, when building a house in a low terrain. In this case, it is necessary to equip drainage. It is produced at the stage of completion of foundation work, before backfill. In the ditch remaining from the pit, on the outside of the foundation, along its entire perimeter, a plastic pipe is laid with holes on its walls at the top and side. These pipes are connected at the corners into revision wells, which can be viewed if cleaning is required. This method eliminates excess accumulation of moisture near the walls of the foundation and frees it from excess water pressure;
  3. Vertical waterproofing- the outer walls of the basement, constructed from piece materials - brick, gas - or foam blocks - must also be waterproofed. After their construction is completed, it is easiest to process them dry with bitumen-polymer mastic. This method will save you the hassle of heating with a gas burner or delivering heavy rolls to country cottage area. All you need is a container with waterproofing, a brush or roller to apply it to the foundation walls;
  4. Horizontal waterproofing- is made at the place of interface of the walls of the house with the foundation or basement floor slab. This is done so that capillary moisture is completely cut off from this structural element. Another reason not to miss this type of waterproofing is to exclude the influence of rain, surface water on the foundation;
  5. blind area- this element is mandatory in our case. It is he who is able to protect the walls of our basement from moisture, and subsequent destruction. The blind area is poured from concrete onto a ready-made preparation of sand or ASG, if necessary, reinforcing with a metal frame. For a small thickness, a mesh of BP rod with a thickness of 3-4 mm is suitable. The width of the blind area depends on the density of the soil and the width of the roof overhang. However, it is rarely made less than 70-80cm wide. The main condition for its device is that it must have a slope of at least 4-5 degrees, for sufficient runoff of runoff and floods beyond the foundation.

A good and reliable drainage system will help to significantly improve the situation with melt and rain water, and getting it into the ground under the foundation. Gutters and downpipes are capable of collecting rainfall at a planned drain point, such as a container or well.


The base of the house, being constantly in the ground, is periodically moistened. Saturation of concrete or stone elements with moisture can lead to a loss of their strength, and subsequently to their complete destruction. And since the entire structure is located on this element, measures for waterproofing the foundation should be taken seriously.

Waterproofing the foundation of a house is a complex undertaking. When constructing it, it is necessary to take into account the level of groundwater, and its seasonal change. Each element of the foundation must be waterproofed in time, because upon completion earthworks these measures will not work. And it’s not at all difficult to make waterproofing the foundation with your own hands, because modern materials allow even inexperienced beginners to work with them.

The video clearly shows the process of fusing rolled materials onto the walls and floor of the basement. Also considered are the main and most common errors in the waterproofing of foundations, their causal relationship. This video presentation details the procedure for working with rolled polymer-bitumen waterproofing, as well as the technological nuances of its application.

The foundation is the main supporting structure of any structure without exception. The parameters of the base are selected based on the required bearing capacity, soil type and groundwater level. However, even correctly and well-executed concrete works do not guarantee its long-term operation. The foundation is affected by groundwater. As a result, there is a subsidence and deformation of the foundation. Concrete, by its nature, absorbs water that can climb other building structures.

Current problem with operation foundation from concrete in climates where freezing and thawing of water is typical. Water entering the concrete destroys the structure from the inside. Foundation waterproofing is done to keep the concrete base dry. This guarantees its long-term operation, dryness in the house.

If you take care of waterproofing during the construction process, you can prevent its destruction. If you have not yet decided whether or not to waterproof the foundation, remember that in the future repair work to strengthen the foundation foundation can exceed the cost of building the entire building box. Also, these activities are quite laborious and difficult to perform.

Foundation construction begins with design drawings and ends with waterproofing measures. High-quality waterproofing of the foundation is a complex and time-consuming task. To successfully carry out the work, you need to have the necessary knowledge. Experience is also important, before starting work it will not be superfluous to consult an experienced specialist in this field.

Foundation waterproofing technology

First of all, you should know that there are 2 main types of foundation waterproofing: horizontal and vertical waterproofing. We will talk about this in detail a little later in this article.

Before the immediate start of waterproofing work, work is carried out to determine the initial conditions:

  1. Determination of the level of groundwater occurrence.
  2. Determination of the strength of the "swelling" of the soil after low temperatures.
  3. Determination of the level of homogeneity of the soil composition.,

If groundwater flows under the foundation at a depth of more than one meter, it will be sufficient to perform roofing waterproofing.

If the distance from the foundation to the groundwater level is less than a meter level, a two-layer horizontal waterproofing is performed. In addition, each layer is necessarily smeared with mastic. If your financial condition stable, it does not hurt to perform additional processing of all concrete elements of the foundation and basement walls with the so-called penetrating waterproofing.

If the groundwater level exceeds the base of the foundation or in the area where the building is erected, heavy precipitation is constantly falling, it would be advisable to build a drainage system.

The total area affects the final cost of waterproofing. The simplest case will require you to fork out only for mastic.

Horizontal waterproofing

Horizontal waterproofing of strip (prefabricated) or monolithic (solid) foundations should be carried out in two places:

  1. Insulation is carried out at the level of the basement floor.
  2. Insulation is done at the junction of the foundation and the wall.

Horizontal waterproofing carried out exclusively during the construction of the building, so it must be done in a timely manner. Before erecting the foundation, sand or clay wakes up at the bottom of the pit. The thickness of the sand layer should be between 5 and 20 cm. This is the so-called leveling layer. The necessarily backfilled layer is rammed. After tamping, a concrete mass up to 7 cm thick is poured. This is a preparatory layer for creating a waterproofing cake.

After two weeks, when the concrete is completely dry and becomes as strong as possible, anti-pressure adhesive waterproofing is applied to it. This insulation consists of four layers. First, the concrete base is abundantly coated with mastic, and the roofing material is densely spread on it. Then another layer of mastic and another layer of roofing material. Instead of two layers of mastic and two layers of roofing material, you can use only one layer of waterproofing.

After laying the waterproofing comes the last concrete layer, or concrete floor.

Vertical waterproofing

By vertical - is meant the waterproofing of the vertical surface of the foundation. For this type of insulation, a variety of materials are used that can be combined.

There are several types of vertical waterproofing:

  • waterproofing pasted with rolled materials;
  • waterproofing with liquid rubber;
  • bituminous waterproofing;
  • penetrating waterproofing.

Let's consider all these types.

Pasting using roll materials

Almost all the methods listed below can be combined with each other to achieve maximum results. The most common and simplest are gluing and coating waterproofing of foundations.

For pasting, roofing material is most often used. First, the surface of the foundation is carefully smeared with mastic or primer. Then, with the help of a burner, roofing material is applied.

Roofing material is used most often, because. it is one of the cheapest and most practical materials when waterproofing a foundation. Various kinds of isols are also used: brizol, hydroisol, isol, hydrostekloizol, etc. There is no fundamental difference between these materials both in the method of application, in the compositions and in the price. There is a new material for waterproofing STEINOPHON 290, but it is better to use it for pasting waterproofing of the foundation inside the room.

Liquid rubber treatment

When carrying out waterproofing work with liquid rubber, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory measures:

  • clean the surface of the foundation from dirt and dust;
  • prime the surface;
  • treat with a primer or bitumen;
  • apply liquid rubber in one or several layers.

Methods and features of liquid rubber waterproofing can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, composition and modification of liquid rubber. For example, Elastopaz rubber requires several layers of application and does not require preliminary preparation of the waterproofing surface. At the same time, Elastomix liquid rubber requires a primer and primer treatment.

After applying liquid rubber, there are no seams, gaps, joints or uneven waterproofing on the surface. It perfectly adheres to the surface, can serve for several decades and is not a fire hazard.

Coating (bituminous) treatment of the foundation

The most affordable option today is coating waterproofing based on the use of bitumen. For this purpose, it is necessary to purchase bitumen, usually it is sold in bars.

Mining and bitumen are poured into a metal container in a ratio of 30% to 70%. Next, the container must be heated using a diluted fire or gas stove.

It is necessary to apply 3 to 5 layers of bitumen. The resulting layer should be about 30-50 mm. During the entire application process, the composition should not cool down.

Bitumen in concrete fills all microcracks, thereby preventing moisture from entering them. Such insulation will last for about 5 years, which is considered a good indicator for this type of insulation. After the declared service life, the bitumen begins to rapidly break down, which opens a direct path for water molecules.

To significantly increase the service of coating type waterproofing, bitumen-polymer mastic is used. This mask has more long term services.

Penetrating foundation waterproofing

The principle of penetrating waterproofing of the foundation is based on the penetration of substance particles into the concrete and their subsequent crystallization inside. There is a kind of "clogging" of the capillaries of concrete, as a result of which the concrete is not able to pass moisture through itself.

However, penetrating waterproofing, unlike all the methods described above, has a big drawback: it is not self-sufficient. Penetrating waterproofing can only be used in conjunction with other foundation waterproofing methods.

The photo below shows the principle of penetrating insulation.

Materials for waterproofing concrete surfaces indoors

An almost ideal option for creating a waterproofing layer indoors is Steinophon 290 film, developed by Stenophon LLC.

The film is a universal material for waterproofing. The film consists of food-grade polyethylene and therefore does not lend itself to the decomposition process. It is an environmentally friendly product and does not emit toxic substances, such features contribute to the use of the film in residential buildings.

The stenophone is quite low hygroscopic (low moisture absorption), which allows it to be used as a reliable and high-quality material for waterproofing. In addition to waterproofing characteristics, the material has excellent sound-absorbing qualities, which makes it a highly effective soundproofing material.

To date, Stenofon has found wide application in construction. This material is used between the contact surfaces of concrete structures, which prevents the occurrence of cracks during concrete compression.

The durability of the structure and the comfort of living in it depend on how well the waterproofing is done, because violations of the technological process of waterproofing the foundation of a building can cause its destruction, and also affect the amount of moisture and mold formation, which adversely affects human health.

The construction of any residential building begins with the construction of the foundation. But after its construction, it is necessary to provide it with protection from the influence of destructive factors. And first of all, it should be protected from moisture, that is, you need to make waterproofing for it.

Types of waterproofing

There are certain types of insulation, including gluing waterproofing of the foundation, coating and built-up. There is an opinion that concrete, which is used as a foundation material, is waterproof. However, this is not quite true. With prolonged contact with water, this mixture of concrete with moisture forms microscopic cracks in it, which, as a result of a temperature difference, simply destroys the foundation from the inside. Therefore, almost everywhere it is necessary to carry out waterproofing of the base of a residential building, and the choice of the type of insulation depends on many nuances.

The foundation of any building should be protected from two types of water: from precipitation and from groundwater. In order for the foundation not to suffer from precipitation, cut-off insulation, such as a blind area, is used. This is its main function. In the variant with surface moisture, the blind area must be done to absolutely all buildings. But waterproofing from groundwater is not always needed. It cannot be said that there are no underground currents in some territory. But it all depends on how deep they run and to what level they can rise.

External insulation

External waterproofing is best done, as a rule, when new construction is carried out. External insulation is a kind of cut-off coating, which is closed in a circle and does not allow water to penetrate inside. The coating is located on the outside of the building and moisture cannot penetrate the structure of the concrete, which prevents it from collapsing.

Internal insulation

If you use this method, then you should know that it protects the foundation only from the inside of the building. This method lends itself better to simple and quick repairs, especially if it is paint insulation, but the process of concrete freezing and thawing can occur.

Underground insulation "house in a bag"

For this type of insulation, a special PVC membrane is used. This pvc membrane should be up to two millimeters thick. Such cut-off insulation is not reinforced, and also does not have protection against ultraviolet radiation.

Digging a foundation pit. A thin cement screed is placed at the bottom. Then the bottom is covered with PVC membranes and welded. Around the perimeter, membranes are released about a meter. Now the base and walls are being made. It is also desirable to cover the walls with PVC cut-off material and hermetically connect them together. This PVC membrane is applied in a horizontal position by about eighty millimeters overlap, and it is mechanically laid vertically. Excess PVC material is subsequently soldered using hot air or a gas burner. The edges of the PVC membrane are fixed using special strips, fasteners or sealant. It should be noted that the movement and movement of the base do not affect the tightness of PVC insulation.

When is groundwater waterproofing necessary?

The choice to do or not to insulate underground depends on many factors. Waterproofing is necessary in cases where the groundwater level is less than one meter below the foundation. This value also takes into account the spring rise of waters. If underground currents lie at a depth of more than one meter from the foundation, then waterproofing is not necessary. However, it happens that the waters can rise not only in seasons, but after several years. Therefore, it is desirable to make at least the cheapest insulation, especially if the foundation is cement. There are cases when the level of water rise is higher than the foundation. Then it is necessary to carry out not only insulation, but also drainage in order to divert water from the base of the house.

Insulation is also required when a building is built on soils such as clay or loam. It is also worth paying attention to the composition of waters, because sometimes there are very aggressive currents, the mixture of elements of which has a negative effect on concrete, which leads to the formation of concrete corrosion.

Waterproofing classifications

There are several classifications by which I distinguish waterproofing and determine its main types. Depending on the purpose, waterproofing is divided into the following types:

  • Antifiltration. This is the heaviest type of foundation insulation, the choice of which is made on difficult and unique construction projects. It is not worth it to equip such insulation with your own hands without special skills. It is used where houses are built on wet soils and have a strong load on the foundation of the house.
  • Anti-corrosion. This type of isolation, depending on the technology of conducting, is divided into:
    1. vertical. They are applied in the lower underground part of the foundation to the very basement of the building.
    2. Horizontal. Thanks to horizontal insulation, capillary protection of the lower and upper planes of the foundation is produced.

All of the above base protection means are divided into types of waterproofing, depending on the material of their arrangement:

  • Gluing method of waterproofing. Pasting waterproofing of the foundation involves the use of multilayer membranes of a diverting nature, the thickness of which reaches five millimeters, or roll components (for example, a mixture of roofing material or bitumen polymer). The membrane can be made from bitumen. Insulation rolls can be self-adhesive or flat applied with hair dryers or burners. After the membrane or roll is applied to the foundation, they must be processed with a roller. Everything can be done by hand, it is not very difficult. These methods of isolation have a serious disadvantage - the formation of joints and seams, which in the future may imply a violation of tightness.
  • Coating methods. Such isolation is carried out using elastic mastic and membranes up to three millimeters. This waterproofing is applied with spatulas or brushes, and sometimes it is sprayed with a special spray gun for large volumes. Very often, the insulation is reinforced with a reinforcement mesh or a special technical fabric. The price of such insulation is an order of magnitude higher than pasting.
  • Fused insulation. Fused foundation waterproofing is typically used for the reinforced concrete foundation insulation process and is not used for timber foundations.

Hydraulic additives for concrete make the solution resistant to moisture

To carry out such isolation with your own hands, you need to perform a number of actions:

  1. Prepare the base surface. Clean everything from dust, dirt and all elements that may interfere with the adhesion of the material to the foundation, all sharp elements are eliminated.
  2. Treat with a primer solution and wait until this mixture dries (about twenty-four hours)
  3. The application of a rolled component (for example, lynocre) is carried out in the process of melting the lower part of the rolled roll with a burner flame with simultaneous heating of the foundation surface. The roll is slowly rolled out and pressed against the foundation.

Types of base protection

In addition to all the above methods of isolating the foundation, there are also additional types of protection that you can do yourself:

  1. Installation of a warm blind area;
  2. Masonry drainage and drainage;
  3. Treatment with a special solution of the entire foundation;
  4. Construction of a clay castle on all sides of the foundation.

Insulation depending on the foundation

In addition to the fact that waterproofing is different types, it can also have its own subtle nuances, depending on what material was laid in the foundation itself.

Waterproofing of the base from monolithic concrete

Usually, the protection of a monolithic base can be done by one's own hands in a variety of ways. On the this moment, the most popular method that waterproofs such a base is considered to be if you use specially designed hydraulic additives with a funny solution. In this case, the price of insulation is acceptable and the quality is good. Now there are many manufacturers and types of similar additives in concrete. At first it may seem that they have the same properties and characteristics, but if you go a little deeper into the study of this issue, you can find many differences.

For example, if you purchase a high-quality additive, you can achieve an increase in concrete compaction by almost ten to twelve atmospheres. However, it is worth noting that the price of higher quality products is higher. If we talk about additives that should increase the moisture resistance of the material, then those that form crystals are considered the highest quality. However, in addition to the fact that such a foundation needs to be insulated using hydraulic additives, it is still desirable to install drainage and a linear drainage system for additional protection.

Base isolation from FBS blocks

Such a foundation is best isolated using a mixture based on bitumen or roofing material. Such materials are cheap and reliable. However, the service life of such protection is short, and at sub-zero temperatures, such protection loses its elasticity. That is, it cannot be used where the weather is predominantly cold.

Popular insulation products

There are several materials that are currently very popular and in demand in the construction market: penetron, linocrom, penoplex.

  1. Penetron. The most popular insulation is now considered to be the one that is performed using Penetron material. This component allows insulation to be carried out by increasing the water resistance of concrete. Penetron creates a grid of crystals in the pores and cracks of the material, which consists of randomly placed crystals. Crystals are produced from the action of the chemical part of the Penetron material with water and concrete elements. That is, the penetron compacts the concrete so much that all cracks are well overgrown, and water cannot penetrate. In monolithic foundations, the use of such material as penetron is especially popular. It can be used both in prefabricated structures and in folding ones.

As part of the Penetron insulator, there are two components that act in the same way, but are introduced into concrete in different ways. There is Penetron, which penetrates the material by simply applying it in two layers on a wet base plane. And there is Penetron, which gets it as an additive.

External waterproofing of the foundation with roll materials

  1. Linocrom is already a rolled material that is produced by TechnoNIKOL. Linocrom is a deposited material with a multilayer structure. Linocrom is made by applying a bituminous mixture to a strong and non-rotting base from both sides. And on top of the linocrom has a layer of protection. Linocrom has many advantages, among which are: moisture resistance, biostability, and resistance to decay. A large layer of bitumen with specially designed polyolefin additives is also applied to the linocrom plane. Thus, the linocrom does not lend itself negative influence environment.
  2. Penoplex is a Russian brand that specializes in the production of extruded polystyrene foam. Penoplex also produces waterproofing of the foundation. This material has a number of advantages: the base of the house is insulated with foam plastic, because it has a low thermal conductivity; it is very durable; foam isolate the foundation, because it almost does not absorb moisture. It is also worth noting that with foam insulation in isolation, you can forget about mold and fungi. Penoplex not only insulates and insulates the foundation, but also insulates pipes, walls, and so on.
  1. Bikrost is a bituminous rolled component. Bikrost is designed to insulate foundations and vapor barrier monolithic buildings. Bikrost is considered an economical and fairly high-quality material. Bikrost is made on the equipment of the European standard by applying bitumen and a special filler to the fiberglass. As a protection, coarse-grained and fine-grained dressing is also applied to the bicrost. Bicrost also contains a polymer film. Bikrost is of two types. But only Bikrost P is suitable for waterproofing the base of houses.

The cost of waterproofing

As a rule, everything construction companies and firms seek to save on materials. Waterproofing the base is also the area that falls under the "savings". However, if the building is built not for the public, but for themselves, then here the builders must adhere to all the conditions for materials and quality. And if you do everything yourself, then the cost will be even lower. The price of waterproofing a house on average can range from sixty to three hundred rubles per one square meter. However, there are more innovative technologies, which are much more expensive. However, a guarantee for such waterproofing can be given for fifty years of service.

If you use reliable waterproofing, as well as additionally install certain types of protection for the foundation, you can be sure of the reliability and security of the supporting base from various environmental influences.

At the moment, there are many opportunities to waterproof the foundation with your own hands. However, if you do not have enough skills, then you should contact qualified specialists.

Foundation waterproofing - materials, types, choice and methods


Foundation waterproofing. Types of external and internal waterproofing. The choice of waterproofing depending on the type of foundation.