Waterproofing

• Foundation Waterproofing Options (Subscriber content)

  When it comes to keeping water out of the basement, there’s a big difference between dampproofing and waterproofing. A contractor with nine years of waterproofing experience tells how to choose and apply products that will really keep a basement dry.

   

• Cold Weather-Concreting (Subscriber content)

  Cool temperatures can reduce concrete strength unless precautions are taken. Here are the products and techniques that guarantee a successful pour — even when it’s below freezing.

   

• Sub-slab Vapor Barriers (Subscriber content)

  A slab poured directly on top of a vapor barrier dries more quickly on top than on the bottom, causing cracking and curling in the concrete. Here’s one way to solve the problem.

   
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  Q&A: Best Foam for Foundation Insulation

  Q: Puzzled by conflicting energy advice? We asked our panel experts to help out by summarizing the latest thinking on a number of thorny issues.

   

• Pouring Successful Slabs (Subscriber content)

  A concrete contractor shares tips for producing high-quality basement and garage slabs.

   

• Focus on Energy: Moisture Problems from "Dry" Basements (Subscriber content)

   

• Letters

   

• Q&A: Bark-Side Up or Down With Decking?

  Q: The Journal’s panel of experts answers the most commonly asked questions from the job site.

   

• Building With Style: Techniques That Don't Work (Subscriber content)

   

• Focus On Energy: Foundation on a Truck (Subscriber content)

   

• Focus on Energy: The Ins and Outs of Foundation Insulation (Subscriber content)

   

• Success with Brick Veneer (Subscriber content)

  A masonry authority describes the details and materials to make brick last the life of the home.

   

• Geotextiles & Geocomposites (Subscriber content)

  Whether block or concrete, basements always seem to leak. Now contractors can use man-made “geo” products to prevent leaks, and insulate too.

   

• Building on Block (Subscriber content)

  How to build strong, durable, and dry foundation walls with concrete block.

   

• Leakproof Basements (Subscriber content)

  Exotic and costly materials are not needed to make a leakproof basement—just good sense and careful workmanship.

   

• Waterproofing Choices (Subscriber content)

  A leak-free basement may not be as elusive as you thought, says Paul Hanke, who offers some tips and gives an overview of some of the waterproofing products on the market.

   

• Focus on Energy: Insulating Existing Basements (Subscriber content)

  Foundation Insulation, part 3

   

• Focus on Energy: Insulating Basements in New Construction (Subscriber content)

  Foundation insulation, part 2.

   

• Crawl Spaces: There Oughta Be a Law (Subscriber content)

  Lotz on crawl spaces

   

• Curing the Leaky Foundation (Subscriber content)

  Henri de Marne provides his sure-fire recipe for building the leak-free foundation.