Sealed Crawlspaces in Flood Zones
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We survey the major types of foundation waterproofing, from spray-on to peel-and-stick membranes.
Building restrictions in California are prompting homeowners who want more space to add on underneath the house. A concrete contractor tells how it's done.
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A Colorado builder explains how he poured a new foundation well around the existing one to provide support and a smooth surface for waterproofing.
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A durable job depends on using the right mortar, anchoring the stone to the concrete, and providing weep holes for water that penetrates the veneer.
Foam forms hold the promise of an easily built, energy-efficient foundation — but there is a learning curve. A builder shares his first experience.
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Combined with a working drain, this new type of plastic membrane keeps groundwater out of the foundation while allowing moisture in the concrete to evaporate to the outside. Here’s how it’s installed.
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Even foundations built with insulating concrete forms need to be made water-resistant. A builder shows how he applies a self-adhering membrane to guarantee a dry basement.
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There are three types of rigid foam insulation — expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate. Each has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Whether your application is above or below grade, inside or out, this guide will help you choose the right product.
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One way to ensure a dry basement is to coat the foundation with a waterproof membrane. We look at the available options and explain how to prepare for and apply them properly.
A concrete contractor and consultant explains how proper finish grading and footing drain details keep surface runoff and underground water away from the foundation.
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Q: Where does the vapor barrier go when finishing a basement? Since we use a vapor barrier on the inside of exterior above-grade walls to keep moisture in, it’s my contention that a plastic vapor barrier should be used against the wall to keep out the moisture in the earth. Many disagree and say...
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In hot, humid climates, more ventilation is not always the answer to excessive crawlspace moisture. This remodeler uses a variety of approaches, depending on the situation.
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With cold weather setting in, this upstate New York remodeler decided to use a pressure-treated wood foundation to replace a crumbling cement-block wall in a hillside garage.
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Getting rid of excess moisture around the foundation is key to controlling this pesky insect, but it may not always be enough. Shields and chemical treatments are still important backup measures, according to this nationally recognized entomologist and termite expert.
Cracking, splitting, and rippling of vinyl siding can usually be traced to poor installation — specifically, not allowing for the material’s inevitable expansion and contraction with changes in temperature. A siding expert tells how to put it up right.
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After researching more than $50 million in claims, a site investigator has compiled this list of the most costly foundation problems, along with the techniques used to prevent them.
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Pier foundation failure, EIFS hides moisture problems, electrical code changes, termites versus foam
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Getting rid of surface water
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Draining the site