Strip foundation with the device of all types of waterproofing. Materials for horizontal foundation waterproofing and methods. Horizontal and vertical insulation

Regardless of what material the house will be built from, the waterproofing of the strip foundation must be carried out without fail.

This is an important stage of construction, which in the future will prevent the penetration of moisture into the premises and protect the base from the damaging effects of moisture.

Today, different materials and methods can be used to insulate a foundation. Therefore, difficulties should not arise. In addition, all the work can be done independently, without using the expensive services of specialists.

Horizontal type of waterproofing

This type of insulation can be done at the very beginning of construction. This work can be attributed to the preparatory process. It will take some time and effort to complete it.

The horizontal waterproofing itself is a drainage system, which is simply necessary with a high level of groundwater on the site. It is best combined with the strip foundation and perfectly protects it from destruction.

The first thing work begins with is laying a pillow at the bottom of the trench. It is better to use clay, which is a natural insulating material that does not allow moisture to pass through. It is laid in a layer of at least 10-15 cm and is well compacted. If there is no clay, you can use sand, which will not retain moisture, but on the contrary, it contributes to its fastest removal from the foundation.

After the pillow is laid, a concrete solution 6-8 cm thick is poured. It will take time for the screed to dry (on average it takes 1 week). Already on a dry surface, a layer of bituminous mastic and 1-2 layers of roofing material are applied. The process can be repeated (mastic and several layers of roofing material are reapplied). On such a “sandwich” it is necessary to re-apply a layer of screed 6-8 cm thick.

As soon as the concrete insulation has completely hardened, you can proceed to the stage of pouring the main foundation. Before proceeding with the pouring of the solution, it is worth considering the options for vertical waterproofing. Do not forget that the insulating layer must also be laid on top of the foundation immediately before the construction of the walls begins.

Vertical waterproofing option

This method of isolation means the direct processing of the foundation. Such insulation can be performed not only at the beginning of construction, but also after the house has already been built. For work, various materials can be used, which differ both in price and in the method of application.

The easiest and relatively cheap option to protect the foundation is to use liquid bitumen. To do this, the surface is covered with a tool with a brush. The main advantage is that bitumen penetrates into all gaps and crevices, so moisture cannot penetrate into the concrete.

Bitumen itself can be in solid form, which must first be melted. It is not recommended to heat it several times, because at high temperatures the material loses its positive qualities.

An alternative option is to purchase ready-made bituminous mastic, which can be bought in a special department of a hardware store. It is better to apply insulation in several layers, each subsequent one is applied only after the previous one has dried. When using bituminous treatment, it is important to know that protection will last an average of 7-10 years. After that, the foundation will need to be dug out, and processed in a new way.

Roll protection is no less popular, and can be used both as independent insulation and in addition to the first option. To fix sheets of roofing material on the foundation, it is necessary to use an adhesive. You can use liquid bitumen.

In order for the roofing material to adhere more closely to the walls of the foundation, it is recommended to heat it with a burner. It is very important to make overlaps of at least 10-15 cm. So that they do not let moisture through, they should also be carefully treated with bituminous mastic.

Waterproofing strip foundation today can be done using modern solutions. Among these options, it is worth highlighting the use of liquid rubber. Application is carried out using special equipment. Before applying the foundation surface, it is important to treat it with high quality, namely, to clean it from debris and dust. For better adhesion, concrete walls must be treated with a special primer.

Do not ignore such a modern method as penetrating waterproofing. With the help of special equipment, a solution is applied to the surface, which penetrates into the concrete by 10-15 cm. To achieve the maximum effect, it is worth applying several layers.

Drainage system device

Do-it-yourself waterproofing of the strip foundation should be accompanied by the arrangement of an additional drainage system. It is necessary if groundwater passes too high or precipitation penetrates the ground too poorly.

A trench for drainage should be dug at a distance of 70-100 cm from the foundation. It is important to control the depth of the trench: it should be on average 20-35 cm below the foundation itself.

As for the width, 20-30 cm will be enough. Each trench should be dug in such a way that the slope is towards the well that collects excess moisture. The trench must also be equipped with a special drainage pipe that will reach the tank itself. To fill the trench, it is worth using crushed stone, which passes moisture well from above. Such a drainage system is an additional option for waterproofing.

Using clay "castle"

Clay can be used to protect the strip foundation from moisture. To do this, the foundation is dug in a circle, while the trench must be at least 50 cm deep. Then clay is poured in small amounts and rammed very well.

The layer of natural material does not let water through and is an excellent insulator of natural origin. Such insulation can be done for small structures. For large houses, the use of a clay castle can be used as an additional method.

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 at high temperatures and adheres 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;
  • tree;
  • 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, you can now find more reliable and modern options on the building materials market:

  • 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 does not have an 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 mark;
  • 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 concrete joint is suitable here. 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 insulation;
  • 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, a 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 amount of money on repairs during operation.

The strip foundation of your house should be “dressed” in waterproofing materials. Proper and reliable waterproofing of the strip foundation of your home is one of the top priorities that you must definitely solve.

Tape is a reinforced concrete strip. It goes along all the external dimensions of the structure and along the load-bearing internal walls.

We know from life experience that in order to preserve our health, we put on warm clothes in cold weather, we put on shoes accordingly in wet weather. We go fishing and hunting in special wading boots so as not to get our feet wet and not get sick. But many unfortunate builders think that the built house, in particular, its foundation, can be in a rather damp and cold environment - in the ground - without protection from this aggressive environment.

Therefore, in order for the house you built:

  • pleased you and more than one generation of your descendants;
  • was a “long-liver”, for which you need to preserve the “health” of your home;
  • did not cause trouble from frequent repairs, alterations, reconstructions due to illiterate construction and subsequent operation,

modern technology for isolation from groundwater is required.

This is an important issue that we must deal with.

Waterproofing properties

To create a waterproofing that will last you for many years, you need to use a high-quality, specially designed material with certain properties and characteristics.

The material used must be:

Modern materials have these properties and differ only in a greater or lesser degree of their manifestation.

good drainage

Light soils - sands and sandy loams - are able to easily pass the emerging moisture into the lower layers of the soil. Water does not stagnate near the erected foundation, and therefore waterproofing can be a little easier compared to the waterproofing device, standing on heavy, heaving soils - clay, loam.

As a rule, on heaving soils they arrange a drainage system for collecting and removing moisture from a concrete foundation. For this, special drainage membranes are used, which are placed under a monolithic slab on which a strip foundation stands.

Under the sole of the reinforced concrete foundation tape, carried out in a trench (a house without a basement) along all external and internal load-bearing walls of the house, with a depth of the foundation sole 20-30 cm below the freezing point of the soil, a sand-gravel or sand-gravel pillow is necessarily constructed. Such drainage is able to divert moisture to the lower layers of the earth. The width of the bulk and compacted cushion should be 20 cm greater than the width of the strip foundation. The cushion prevents water stagnation and silt or clay from being drawn in when the groundwater level rises on the foundation surface and damage to the vertical waterproofing. A vertically installed drainage membrane helps to drain excess water away from the building, preventing it from exerting pressure on the waterproofing itself and looking for weaknesses in it.

Horizontal and vertical insulation

Horizontal waterproofing is carried out under a monolithic slab by laying a drainage membrane on a monolithic layer of lean concrete with a slope into the outlet pipeline, followed by the installation of a reinforced mesh and pouring, on which a strip foundation is assembled or poured around the perimeter of the house.

Horizontal waterproofing is also done to separate the upper plane of the strip foundation and the starting wall. It is carried out by spraying the appropriate material or laying rolled waterproofing materials.

All vertical planes of the strip foundation from top to bottom are covered with modern materials specially designed for this.

Several types of waterproofing

Non-pressure waterproofing protects the strip foundation from external atmospheric precipitation penetrating into the soil, and from the spring and autumn temporary rise in the groundwater level.

For reliable anti-pressure waterproofing of the basement, it is better to apply three layers of slurry.

After the vertical waterproofing is completed, the foundation is backfilled. The best result is achieved with layer-by-layer backfilling with inert, well-conducting water materials, such as quartz (river) sand with the least clay impurities, gravel mass or earth. Backfilling with construction debris is undesirable, since it is after this operation that the integrity of the waterproofing of the strip foundation can be damaged. On the surface of the earth around the entire perimeter of the building, a blind area 1 m wide is made of concrete or asphalt.

Anti-pressure insulation, in turn, protects the foundation of the house from contact with permanent nearby groundwater in the foundation area. Coating, spraying, painting materials are used for such purposes. After applying such insulating materials, a continuous layer of insulation is formed without joints and seams with good repulsive properties.

Capillary waterproofing prevents moisture droplets from entering the concrete monolith. It gives the best results when concrete is impregnated with compositions both from the inside and from the outside of the foundation tape. Impregnating compositions penetrate deep into the concrete for several centimeters, filling the smallest pores in the concrete, making the strip foundation practically airtight and able to withstand external moisture.

Waterproofing the strip foundation helps prevent the negative effects of moisture on the bearing parts of the house. Since the cement base has a high capillarity, the penetration of moisture into the reinforcement will lead to oxidation of the reinforcement, which is fraught with distortions and shrinkage of the entire structure. In the article we will consider the device of the strip foundation, as well as the methods of hydroprotection of its main parts.

What is strip foundation?


The device of the strip base is quite complicated, since the structure is a closed concrete circuit located on a sand and gravel pad. To reinforce the base, a reinforcing mesh is used, which consists of metal bars. The structure can be located directly on the ground or on piles, which take on the static load created by the building.

For what purposes is the waterproofing of the strip foundation done by hand? It should be taken into account that the strength of the concrete base during operation will be destructively affected by sedimentary, ground and capillary waters. To prevent damage to building materials, it is necessary to implement a number of measures to divert water from the building. These include:

  • drainage system device;
  • laying a waterproofing pillow;
  • hydroprotection of the bearing parts of the structure (supporting piles, plinth, formwork).

The main types of waterproofing


After mounting the strip base, it is important to take care of the “cut-off” of moisture from the structure. To do this, use various waterproofing materials, namely:

  • Coating - insulation occurs with the help of polymer or bituminous compounds that prevent the penetration of moisture into the foundation;
  • Rolled - materials with good water-repellent properties are suitable for finishing the basement, pile-tape base (bearing supports), as well as waterproofing the foundation for a monolithic slab. The most popular among rolled moisture insulators are roofing material, polyethylene film, geotextiles;
  • Sprayed - waterproofing agents are applied to concrete structures using spray guns. As a spray mixture, liquid solutions based on bitumen and polymer additives are used;
  • Impregnation - mixtures of liquid consistency, which easily penetrate into the structure of the concrete coating, filling all the pores. Thus, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the foundation and the destruction of reinforcing meshes.

Horizontal hydroprotection


Horizontal waterproofing is a complex of construction works that prevents the penetration of moisture into concrete structures from underground. Waterproofing of this type is needed in case of arrangement of any type of foundation:

  • tape;
  • monolithic;
  • pile;
  • pile-tape.

How is horizontal insulation done? To ensure reliable protection of the structure from the negative impact of groundwater, a nominal horizontal hydroprotection is used. It literally “cuts off” moisture, which, due to the capillarity of the soil, rises to the concrete structures. For the quality of the work, you must do the following:

  1. Take care of laying a waterproofing pad of sand and gravel. The layer thickness must be at least 25 cm;
  2. Make a concrete screed with a thickness of about 10 cm, then postpone work until the cement has completely hardened (at least 12 days);
  3. Then a calculation is made to dilute the required amount of bituminous mastic, with which it is necessary to process the concrete tape;
  4. After that, the base is covered with roofing material in several layers;
  5. Next, the formwork is installed for pouring the second layer of the screed;
  6. At the final stage, it is planned to insulate the floor and lay the finish coating.

To understand how horizontal waterproofing of concrete structures is done, you can watch a video clip that describes the sequence of performing all the necessary work.

Vertical waterproofing

Vertical isolation of a structure from moisture involves the processing of exclusively vertical parts of the structure, in particular, the basement, piles, etc. This procedure is recommended to be performed if there is a basement in the house. In this way, excess moisture can be prevented from entering the underground room, from where it can penetrate into the floor base of the first floor of the building.


How is vertical waterproofing of concrete structures done? In this case, to ensure the water-repellent properties of the foundation, various processing methods can be used:

  • plastering;
  • gluing with rolled insulators;
  • spraying with bituminous compositions.

But before making the calculation of the materials necessary for insulation, it is worth choosing the best option for waterproofing. Experts recommend using two methods of waterproofing at once: coating and gluing. How to do it? If there is a filing in the building, the course of work will be as follows:

  1. First of all, the working surface must be coated with bituminous mastic;
  2. After that, paste over the basement for the basement with technoelast (a kind of roofing material);
  3. When calculating roll materials, please note that they must overlap with a margin of at least 15 cm;
  4. To ensure the sealing of the seams, melt them with a gas burner, as a result of which adjacent sheets will stick together.

The device and the nuances of processing a strip foundation with vertical waterproofing are shown in the video material.

Features of isolation of the foundation and basement with roofing material

Waterproofing of a monolithic foundation is most often done using roofing material. It can be used both independently and in combination with bituminous solutions. When covering a concrete structure with roofing material, several important rules must be observed:

  1. Moisture insulation under the slab begins with the application of a bituminous solution;
  2. The calculation of the amount of roofing felt is done taking into account an overlap of 15 cm;
  3. After that, using a gas burner, the insulator is softened and placed on the working structural elements;
  4. When carrying out waterproofing work to finish the foundation for a monolithic slab, you can use special mastics to seal the joints.

Moisture insulation of the structure with roofing material should be carried out using only high-quality materials. Ezoelast and tezhnoelast insulators are considered optimal for protecting the concrete base. The process of laying materials is clearly demonstrated in the video clip.

Moisture insulation of the pile-tape base

How to properly insulate in the case of arranging a pile-strip foundation? The absence of a feeder implies additional processing not of the basement of the structure, but of the concrete bearing parts themselves - piles. It is they who take the maximum static load created by the weight of the structure itself.

Why do you need protection for pillars? Under the influence of moisture, the supports begin to collapse over time due to corrosive processes occurring in the armature of the pillars. To prevent warping and subsidence of the base, additional hydraulic protection of the bearing parts is required. How to protect the pile-tape base without a basement?

  • Bored piles. Bored supports are concrete pillars reinforced with metal reinforcement. As a rule, they are installed in casing pipes that do not provide the proper level of protection against moisture. In the process of erecting the structure, it is desirable to insert roofing material into the wells for racks, which will play the role of formwork and waterproofing;
  • Screw piles. Elements of the concrete structure are represented by steel screws that are screwed into the ground. To protect them from corrosion, the spiral legs of the piles are treated with hydrophobic anti-corrosion solutions;
  • Driven piles. The supports in this case are reinforced concrete or wooden poles. To protect them, antiseptic and anti-corrosion treatment is needed. Special impregnation and coating with bitumen will not be superfluous.

Do you need moisture protection for a sand cushion?

What are the functions of a sand bed? A mound of sand and gravel, which is often made during the laying of strip foundations, performs two tasks at once:

  • Cuts off water from the structure;
  • Helps to evenly distribute the load.

Laying a pillow is a prerequisite for the construction of a basement in a house. As a rule, it is in this room that it is quite damp, which creates all the conditions for the accumulation of condensate under the floor and the reproduction of the fungus. Is waterproofing the pillow necessary in this case?

If the building itself is installed on the ground with strong heaving, in the process of laying the sand cushion, it is necessary to calculate the required amount of waterproofing. It is laid on a layer of sand and gravel, which violates capillarity and the flow of moisture from underground into a concrete structure.

Moisture insulation of the formwork

To answer the question of whether formwork hydroprotection is needed or not, consider its main functions. The design is intended to limit the space into which the concrete solution will be poured to form the foundation. In other words, the main function of the formwork is the design of a liquid solution, which, when solidified, forms the necessary geometric shape.


For the assembly of formwork, as a rule, wooden panels are used, which are hygroscopic. Because of this, structural elements can be deformed, which will lead to a distortion of the geometric shapes of the poured concrete base. In this case, the answer to the above question becomes obvious: formwork waterproofing is really necessary.

What types of insulators are used to finish the formwork? To protect wooden formwork elements, the following can be used:

  • bituminous solutions;
  • hydrophobic impregnations;
  • water-repellent varnishes;
  • roll insulators.

When calculating the amount of waterproofing agents used, it is worth noting that for formwork processing, painting with bitumen will be the most budgetary option.

Do I need insulation for the strip foundation?


Why insulate concrete structures? There are three main reasons why it is necessary to insulate tape bases.

The foundation is the foundation of the house. The durability of the entire structure as a whole depends on its strength and safety. The foundation is affected by rain, groundwater and capillary water, as a result of which it sags and deforms. Concrete tends to pick up moisture well, which, rising up through the capillaries, penetrates the walls and floor, providing ideal conditions for the growth of mold and other fungi. Also important is the problem associated with the operation of concrete foundations in a continental climate, where freezing and thawing of water occurs annually. Water penetrating into the pores of concrete, which freezes and thaws inside, leads to the destruction of the integrity of the foundation. To protect your structure from the destructive effects of water, timely waterproofing of the foundation is required. Waterproofing measures taken at the construction stage will ensure the safety of the house. If you are still tormented by doubts whether to do or not to do, keep in mind that in the future, repairing the foundation will cost more than building a box at home, and it’s not worth talking about the laboriousness and complexity of the work.

The main load-bearing element of the house requires extremely close attention at all stages of construction, from calculations and installation to work on hydro and thermal insulation. To say that do-it-yourself waterproofing of the foundation is a simple matter, it means to be cunning. The technology itself requires certain knowledge and understanding of the processes occurring in the soil and in concrete, as well as in various waterproofing materials. Experience is also of no small importance, therefore, before waterproofing the foundation, it does not hurt to consult a specialist and take into account his recommendations.

The first thing to do is to decide on a set of measures for waterproofing. For this, a number of starting conditions should be taken into account:

  • The level of occurrence of groundwater;
  • The force of "swelling" of the soil in the post-frost period;
  • Soil heterogeneity;
  • building conditions.

If the maximum groundwater level is more than 1 m below the base of the foundation, then it will be enough to perform a coating of vertical waterproofing and horizontal using roofing material.

If the groundwater level is higher than 1 m from the base of the foundation, but does not reach the level of the basement or reaches it extremely rarely, then for high-quality waterproofing the set of measures will have to be expanded. Perform horizontal waterproofing in two layers with mastic between them. For vertical insulation, both the coating method and the pasting with rolled materials should be used. Depending on the budget planned for materials for waterproofing the foundation, it is possible to additionally treat all concrete elements of the foundation and basement with penetrating waterproofing, which stops the movement of water through the capillaries.

If the groundwater level is above the base of the foundation and the level of the basement floor, or the area in which the house is built is famous for frequent and heavy rainfall, which seeps into the ground for a long time and is difficult, then in addition to the previous list of measures, it is necessary to equip a drainage system around the entire house.

For waterproofing the foundation, the price will depend on the surface area that needs to be processed, on the set of measures, the type and quantity of waterproofing materials. In the easiest case, you will have to spend money only on bitumen. And in the most difficult - at the same time on materials for coating, roll, penetrating waterproofing and on the arrangement of drainage or a pressure wall.

For a tape and monolithic (solid) foundation, horizontal waterproofing is carried out in two places:

  • At the level or lower by 15 - 20 cm of the level of the basement floor;
  • In the basement and at the junction of the foundation with the wall.

Important! Horizontal waterproofing can only be done at the stage of building a house, so take care of it in time.

Before starting all work on arranging the foundation and basement, it is necessary to fill the bottom of the pit with greasy clay with a layer of 20 - 30 cm, and then carefully compact it. Concrete is poured from above with a layer of 5 - 7 cm. It is necessary in order to equip the waterproofing under the foundation. Before laying the waterproofing, the concrete must be dry and well set for at least 10 to 15 days. Next, the concrete is carefully coated with bituminous mastic over the entire area, and the first layer of roofing material is laid on it. Then the surface is again coated with mastic and another layer of roofing material is laid. A 5-7 cm layer of concrete is poured on top, which must be leveled and ironed.

Important! Ironing also refers to measures that provide waterproofing. It is done according to this technology: after 2 - 3 hours, cement, sifted through a fine sieve, is poured on top of freshly poured concrete with a layer of 1 - 2 cm. Then it flattens out. After some time, the cement should get wet from the moisture contained in the concrete. Further, the surface is treated in the same way as with a conventional concrete screed - from time to time it is moistened with water until the concrete reaches strength and dries.

After completing the arrangement of the strip or pile foundation, it must also be waterproofed so that moisture does not rise up into the walls. To do this, the surface is opened with bituminous mastic, and roofing material or other rolled material is laid on top. The procedure is performed twice to get two layers. The edges of the roll material hanging from the foundation are not cut off, but wound down and then pressed against the vertical waterproofing.

Drainage system device

Depending on the level of groundwater and the structure of the soil, the foundation waterproofing device may require the mandatory presence of a drainage system that will collect and drain excess atmospheric and groundwater into a separate well. Basically, such a need arises with high groundwater and poor soil permeability.

To equip the drainage system, it is necessary to dig a trench along the perimeter of the object at a distance of at least 0.7 m from it. The depth depends on the level of the water table. Width - 30 - 40 cm. The trenches should be located with a slight slope towards the collecting well or pit. We lay geotextiles at the bottom, wrapping the edges on the sides of the trench by 80 - 90 cm. We fill in gravel or crushed stone with a layer of 5 cm along the entire length of the trench. Then we lay perforated drainage pipes with a slope of 0.5 cm for each linear m. We fill the gravel with a layer of 20 - 30 cm, after washing it so as not to clog the pipes. Then we wrap everything in the remaining edges of the geotextile. We bring the pipes into the collecting well. We fall asleep with soil.

The drainage system can be completed after the construction of the house is completed, or even after some time during operation, if such a need is identified.

Foundation vertical waterproofing

To perform waterproofing of the vertical surface of the foundation, you can use various materials, combining them with each other. From the options below, you can use one or more at once, depending on the individual conditions of construction.

The cheapest option to this day is the coating waterproofing of the foundation using bituminous resin. To do this, we buy bitumen, most often it is sold in bars.

Pour 30% used oil and 70% bitumen into a large container (pot, bucket, vat). The container must be heated, for this we make a fire under it or put it on a gas stove. When the bitumen is heated to the state of a liquid mixture, you can begin to apply it to the surface, which must be pre-leveled.

With a roller or brush, we apply bitumen to the surface of the foundation, trying to coat everything thoroughly. We begin to coat from the very sole of the foundation and finish at 15 - 20 cm above the soil surface. We apply 2 - 3 layers of bitumen so that the total thickness is 3 - 5 cm.

Important! All this time, the container with bitumen must be hot so that it does not freeze.

Bitumen penetrates and fills all the pores of concrete, preventing moisture from entering it. Will last 5 years - a relatively long time. Then it will begin to collapse and crack, letting water into the concrete.

To extend the service life of coating waterproofing, bitumen-polymer mastics can be used, they are devoid of the disadvantages of pure bitumen and are more durable. The market can offer both hot and cold applied mastics, as well as polymer solutions that have a rigid or liquid consistency. The methods of applying such materials can be different: using a roller, spatula, float or sprayer.

Pasting waterproofing of the foundation with rolled materials

Roll waterproofing materials can be used both separately and in addition to the coating method.

The most common and relatively cheap material for gluing insulation is roofing material. Before fixing it on the foundation surface, it must be treated with a bituminous primer or mastic, as in the previous method.

Then we heat the roofing material sheets with a gas burner and apply it to the vertical surface of the foundation with an overlap of 15 - 20 cm. This method is called fusing. But it is also possible to fix the roofing material with the help of special adhesive mastics. From above we again cover with bituminous mastic and glue another layer of roofing material.

Important! Before fusing the roofing material, it is necessary to turn the edges of the horizontal waterproofing down and press down, fusing the roll material from above.

Instead of roofing material, you can use more modern roll materials: TechnoNIKOL, Stekloizol, Rubitex, Hydrostekloizol, Technoelast or others. Their polymer base is polyester, which increases elasticity, wear resistance and improves performance. Despite the higher price compared to roofing material, these materials are recommended to be used for foundation waterproofing. But they will not be able to provide sufficient coating strength without mastic treatment, since they do not penetrate into the pores.

Instead of pasting waterproofing, you can use liquid rubber, which has good adhesion to the base, is durable and non-flammable. And most importantly, the surface is seamless, which provides better protection. If the waterproofing of the foundation is done manually, on your own, then one-component liquid rubber, for example, Elastopaz or Elastomiks, will do.

Material consumption per 1 m2 is 3 - 3.5 kg.

Elastopaz applied in layers, in two layers, drying will take at least 24 hours at a temperature of +20 °C. Sold in buckets of 18 kg, cheaper than Elastomiks. If the bucket is not completely used up, it can be sealed tightly and used later.

Elastomics applied in one layer, drying will take no more than 2 hours at a temperature of +15 ° C. Sold in buckets of 10 kg, more expensive than Elastopaz. If the bucket with Elastomix is ​​not completely used, the mixture cannot be stored, as the adsorbent-activator, which is added to the mixture before use, will cause the contents of the bucket to turn into rubber within 2 hours.

Which of the materials to choose depends on the preferences of the owner and the time frame for execution. Before applying liquid rubber, the surface must be dedusted and treated with a primer. After an hour, apply liquid rubber with a roller, spatula or brush according to the instructions on the package.

A surface treated with liquid rubber may require protection from the elements if the backfill contains rocks or debris. In this case, the foundation must be covered with geotextile or a pressure wall must be equipped.

Penetrating foundation waterproofing

Penetrating waterproofing is called materials, the substances of which are able to penetrate into the structure of concrete by 100 - 200 mm and crystallize inside. Hydrophobic crystals prevent water from penetrating into the concrete structure and raising it through the capillaries. Concrete corrosion is also prevented and its frost resistance is increased.

Materials such as "Penetron", "Aquatron-6" and "Hydrotex" refer to penetrating anti-capillary waterproofing, differ in penetration depth and application method. Most often, internal concrete surfaces of the foundation, basement or basement are processed with such materials.

Penetrating waterproofing is best applied to wet concrete. To do this, the surface is first cleaned of dust, and then thoroughly moistened. We apply the material in several layers. After it is absorbed, the outer film can be removed.

For leveling and at the same time waterproofing the vertical surface of the foundation, you can use special plaster mixes with the addition of moisture-resistant components: hydro concrete, polymer concrete or asphalt mastics.

Plastering is carried out using the same technology as plastering walls on lighthouses. To prevent cracks from appearing for a long time, it is recommended to apply it in a hot way. After drying, the plaster layer must be protected by performing a clay lock and backfilling with clay.

Screen waterproofing of the foundation

In fact, this method is a modern replacement for a clay castle. To protect the foundation from aggressive pressure water, bentonite mats are used, which are based on clay. By the way, they can be used in addition to other methods of waterproofing. Clay mats are fixed to the treated foundation with dowels. They are laid with an overlap of 15 cm. Then a pressure wall made of concrete is installed next to it, which will serve as an obstacle that does not allow the mats to swell.

During operation, the paper component of the mats is destroyed, and the clay is pressed into the surface of the foundation, performing a protective function.

The clay castle is also designed to prevent pressure water from reaching the foundation. To do this, a trench of 0.6 m is dug around it. A layer of rubble is poured into the bottom. Then the bottom and wall of the trench are rammed with greasy clay in several layers with breaks for drying. The remaining space is covered with either gravel or clay, and a blind area is equipped on top.

During spring floods, clay will not let water through to the foundation, and the lower moisture will leave through a layer of rubble.

Foundation waterproofing is a responsible business. In this article, we have considered only the most common methods. If you decide to do all the work yourself, remember that the main thing for the success of the business is to choose the right materials and the necessary activities. Then the foundation will last a long time and will not require costly repairs.

Drainage of the land plot is the most important stage in the preparation of the territory for construction. The use of drainage pipes significantly speeds up and simplifies the installation of drainage systems. Drainage pipes are necessary to drain water with a high level of groundwater.