GROUND WATER CONTROL

WATERPROOFING BASEMENTS

A water-tight basement wall is an essential element to waterproof

a basement. However, due to the basement walls are often
constructed under complicated phases to match with the
excavation sequences and this may increase the possibility of
leaking, therefore, careful construction joining design is essential
to ensure the basement structure is perfectly water- proved.
Very often the provision of water stops into these joints is
helpful. Basements can be waterproofed by one of three basic
methods namely; Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor,
Tanking techniques, and Drained cavity system.

dense monolithic concrete: The main objective is to form a

watertight basement using dense high quality reinforced or pre-
stressed concrete by a combination of good materials, good
workmanship, attention to design detail and on site construction
methods. If strict control of all aspects is employed a sound
watertight structure can be produced but it should be noted that
such structures are not always water vapour proof. If the latter is
desirable some water proof coating, lining or tanking should be
used. The water tightness of dense concrete mixes depends
primarily upon Water/cement ratio and Degree of compaction.

Mastic asphalt tanking: The objective of tanking is to provide a

continuous waterproof membrane which is applied to the base slab
and walls with complete continuity between the two applications.
The tanking can be applied externally or internally according to
the circumstances prevailing on site. Alternatives to mastic
asphalt are polythene sheeting: bituminous compounds: epoxy resin
compounds and bitumen laminates.

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External Mastic Asphalt Tanking: this is the preferred method
since it not only prevents the ingress of water it also protects the
main structure of the basement from aggressive sulphates which
may be present in the surrounding soil or ground water.

Internal Mastic Asphalt Tanking: this method should only be

adopted if external tanking is not possible since it will not give
protection to the main structure and unless adequately loaded may
be forced away from the walls and/or floor by hydrostatic
pressure. To be effective the horizontal and vertical coats of
mastic asphalt must be continuous.

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.

drained cavity system: this method of waterproofing basements

can be used for both new and refurbishment work. The basic
concept is very simple in that it accepts that a small amount of
water seepage is possible through a monolithic concrete wall and
the best method of dealing with such moisture is to collect it and
drain it away. This is achieved by building an inner non-load bearing
wall to form a cavity which is joined to a floor composed of special
triangular tiles laid to falls which enables the moisture to drain
away to a sump from which it is either discharged direct or
pumped into the surface water drainage system. The inner wall
should be relatively vapour tight or alternatively the cavity should
be ventilated.

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Similarly, according to The Basement Information Centre (2011),
BS 8102 describes three types of waterproofing protection: Type
A, B and C. discussed below.

Type A (barrier) protection: where the structure has limited

integral protection against water penetration and therefore relies
permanently on a waterproofing membrane to keep water out. The
chosen structural waterproofing system must be able to deal with
groundwater pressure together with any superimposed or service
loading.

Type B (structurally integral) protection: where the structure

itself is constructed as an integral water-resistant shell.
Invariably built of reinforced concrete, the basement structure

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must be designed within certain strict parameters to ensure it is
water resistant.

Type C (drained) protection: where the structure provides primary

resistance against penetration and incorporates a drained cavity
within the basement structure. There is permanent reliance on
this cavity to collect groundwater seepage through the structure
and direct it to drains or a sump for removal by drainage or
pumping.

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WATER PROVING MATERIALS

There is a wide range of products used for structural

waterproofing. The typical range of barrier materials and cavity
drain membranes is given in BS 8102 cited in basement support
centre, (2011). For ease of understanding, this publication
separates them into seven distinct categories according to
product type, form and application as follows:

Category 1: Bonded sheet membranes: Bonded sheet membranes

are generally cold-applied or heat-bonded to the finished
structural walls. Both are modified bitumen on a range of carrier
films. They are applied externally. Composite polymeric sheet
membranes are also available. They are attached to the enabling
works (reverse tanking) but subsequently fully bonded, by means
of a specifically formulated pressure-sensitive adhesive, to the
poured concrete.

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Category 2: Cavity drain membranes: Cavity drain membranes are
high-density dimpled polymer sheets, placed against the structure.
The dimples form permanent cavities between the structure and
the internal shell. They are used internally to drain and control
water ingress, and are not designed to sustain water pressure as
specific barrier membranes

Category 3: Bentonite clay active membranes: Bentonite clay

active membranes are sheets of sodium bentonite clay sandwiched
between two layers of geotextile or bentonite fixed to a foil
membrane. The bentonite within these sheets comes in two forms:
dry bentonite which requires hydration of the bentonite for it to
swell, bond together and form an impermeable barrier to the
passage of liquid; and factory pre hydrated bentonite where the
bentonite has been activated to provide an immediate impermeable
barrier in its as-delivered state. Both systems have the capacity
to swell to many times their original thickness, sealing any cracks
in structures and self-sealing any movement in the sheets. These
membranes are used either externally or sandwiched between
secant or sheet piles and the structural concrete of the building
they waterproof.

Category 4: Liquid-applied membranes: liquid-applied membranes

are one- or two-part systems. They are applied cold, generally in
two coats as a bitumen solution, elastomeric urethane or modified
epoxy. They can be applied both externally and internally. In the
latter case, the loading coat must be strong enough to resist
hydrostatic pressure, unless used as a vapour barrier in Type B
construction.

Category 5: Mastic asphalt membranes: Mastic asphalt membranes

are applied in three coats as hot, mastic liquid. They cool to a
hard, waterproof coating, but retain a degree of flexibility.
Application can be external or internal. If internal, the loading
coat must be strong enough to resist hydrostatic pressure.

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Category 6: Cementitious crystallisation active systems:
Cementitious crystallisation active systems are coatings applied as
internal or external slurries. By reacting with free lime in
concrete, they block cracks and capillaries.

Category 7: Proprietary cementitious multi-coat renders, toppings

and coatings: Proprietary cementitious multi-coat renders,
toppings and coatings are applied as a layer(s) to form a dense,
waterproof membrane. Waterproof renders or toppings consist of
a layer or layers of dense cementitious material incorporating a
waterproofing component. Cementitious coatings are premixed
slurries applied as a thin layer. All are designed to be used inside
the structure but can be external.

1. Elastomeric Bitumen Emulsion based Polymer Coating: Bitumen

emulsion based elastomeric polymer coating is suitable for
basements in normal soil condition for positive side application. It
is ideal waterproof coating, which forms an elastomeric membrane
capable of withstanding small movements of concrete. It has
excellent adhesion and is flexible and non-toxic.

2. Coal Tar Epoxy Coating: Wherever the treatment has to be

given in contaminated soils, a two component coal tar based epoxy
system for coating for protection of concrete structures against
aggressive environment. A full cured coal tar epoxy coating
effectively waterproofs and gives protection against corrosion. It
has high bond strength and abrasion resistant properties.

3. Elastomeric Polyurethane Coating: In remedial water proofing

“elastomeric” is more popular. The term elastomeric simply means
that the material- whatever material is being discussed- is
flexible throughout its lifetime. For the basement waterproofing
application, a synthetic material called “urethane” or
“polyurethane” (a colourless, odourless, crystalline compound) has
been formulated into a liquid which can be applied with a roller to
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form a monolithic basement waterproofing membrane on positive
side. The polyurethane basement waterproofing membrane is
equally impermeable and has a much longer useful lifetime than
the asphalt-based material. Some urethane waterproofing
products are manufactured as “bitumen-modified” so that the
bituminous component is still out there.

4. Bentonite and Blind-side Waterproofing: Bentonite is very

effective as a basement waterproofing material because it swells
up when brought in contact with moisture. Bentonite-based
systems are supplied in rolls. The bentonite comes impregnated
into a geotextile mesh. One can also find it adhered to
polyethylene sheets. Bentonite rolls or sheets, like the other
basement waterproofing materials are designed for a “positive-
side” application.

5. Crystalline Coating The “crystalline” basement waterproofing

systems is more popular for negative side application. It consists
of a liquid solution of cementious base which is applied to an
existing concrete surface. Also called a “capillary” basement
waterproofing system, the solution penetrates into existing
concrete and seals the capillaries within the concrete mass.
Proprietary chemicals within the solution react with lime in the
concrete to form needle like crystals which fill the capillaries and
reduce the permeability of the concrete.

6. Cementuious Systems: Another type of material which is used

frequently on basement repair jobs is the “cement-based” or
“cementitious” coating applied on negative side.