HOW TO INSTALL A DRY WELL

Dry Wells for Drainage

A dry well is installed to help give runoff water an escape route so it doesn’t
collect around the house foundation. 

DRAINAGE SOLUTION: HOWTO INSTALL A DRY WELL

A dry well is a simple way to channel excess water out of low-lying or
water-laden areas, such as the ground beneath a gutter downspout. A dry
well system (see previous page) typically consists of a buried drain tile
running from a catch basin positioned at the problem spot to a collection
container some distance away.

DRAINAGE SOLUTION: HOW TO RE-GRADE

Establish the drainage slope. The yard around your house should slant away from
the house at a minimum slope of 3/4" per ft. for at least 10 ft. Till the soil or add new
soil around the house perimeter. Drive a wood stake next to the house and another 10
ft. out. Tie a level mason’s string between the stakes, and then move the string down
at least 2 1/2" at the end away from the house, establishing your minimum slope.

PREVENTING MOISTURE IN BASEMENTS

Waterproof Paint

Masonry paints and sealers, especially those that are described as
waterproof, are rather controversial products. Some manufacturers
claim that applying a coat of their waterproof paint will create a seal
that can hold back moisture, even under light hydrostatic pressure.
Others suggest only that their product, when applied to a basement
wall, will create a skin that inhibits water penetration from the interior
side.
Masonry paints do hold up better on concrete surfaces than other
types, largely because they are higher in alkali and therefore less
reactive with cement-based materials. But they also can trap moisture
in the concrete, which will cause the paint to fail prematurely and can
cause the concrete to degrade, especially if the water freezes. Read the
product label carefully before applying waterproof paint to your
basement walls, and make sure to follow the preparation protocols
carefully. If you have a foundation wall with an active water-seepage
problem, address the problem with the other methods shown in this
section, including grading and gutters. A coat of waterproof paint is not

going to make your basement drier.

HOW TO SKIM-COAT A FOUNDATION WALL

Resurface heavily cracked masonry walls with a water-resistant masonry coating
such as surface bonding cement. Clean and dampen the walls according to the coating
manufacturer’s instructions, then fill large cracks and holes with the coating. Finally,
plaster a 1/4" layer of the coating on the walls using a square-end trowel. Specially
formulated heavy-duty masonry coatings are available for very damp conditions.

HOW TO SEAL CRACKS IN A FOUNDATION WALL

To repair a stable crack, chisel cut a keyhole cut that’s wider at the base then at the
surface, and no more than 1/2" deep. Clean out the crack with a wire brush.

BASEMENTS: WET WALLS

Basement moisture can destroy your efforts to create functional living
space. Over time, even small amounts of moisture can rot framing, turn
wallboard to mush, and promote the growth of mold and mildew. Before
proceeding with your basement project, you must deal with any moisture
issues. The good news is that moisture problems can be resolved, often
very easily.
Basement moisture appears in two forms: condensation and seepage.
Condensation comes from airborne water vapor that turns to water when it
contacts cold surfaces. Vapor sources include humid outdoor air, poorly
ventilated appliances, damp walls, and water released from concrete.

HOW TO INSULATE AN INTERIOR BASEMENT WALL

INSULATION SOLUTION FOR DRY WALLS: INTERIOR WALL
INSULATION

As a general rule, avoid insulating the interior side of your basement walls.

It is best to leave breathing space for the concrete or block so moisture that

enters through the walls is not trapped. If your exterior basement walls

meet the definition of a dry wall  however, adding some

interior insulation can increase the comfort level in your basement. If you

are building a stud wall for hanging wallcovering materials, you can

insulate between the studs with rigid foam—do not use fiberglass batts and

do not install a vapor barrier. If you are building a stud wall, it’s a good

idea to keep the wall away from the basement wall so there is an air

channel between the two.

HOW TO INSTALL APRON INSULATION

Dig an 18 × 24" wide trench next to the wall being insulated. Make sure to have
your local utilities company flag any lines that may be in the area first.

INSULATION SOLUTION: EXTERIOR APRON INSULATION

Insulate foundation walls on the exterior side (and not the interior)
whenever you can. The easiest way to accomplish this is by installing
insulation in the apron area only, so you do not have to excavate all the
way to the bottom of the wall. By adding a layer of horizontal insulation in
the bottom of the trench, you can realize at least 70 percent of the energy
savings of insulating the whole wall, while limiting your digging to 18
inches down and 24 inches out.
Because you will be adding width to the foundation wall by installing
exterior insulation, you will need to install flashing to cover the top of the
insulation layer and whatever protective wall surface you cover it with.

HOW TO INSULATE BASEMENTS

Install rigid foam insulation in basements, both on the exterior and the interior.
Extruded polystyrene (sometimes called beadboard) is an economical choice for
larger areas, and it forms its own vapor retarding layer when properly installed and
sealed. High-density polystyrene and isocyanruate are denser insulation boards with
higher R-values. Isocyanurate usually has one or two foil faces. It is used to seal rim
joists but is a good choice for any basement wall location.

BASEMENTS: INSULATING

Insulating basements is a tricky topic. In colder climates, insulation is
necessary for the successful creation of a livable basement room. But the
practice is fraught with pitfalls that can cause a host of problems. But here
are two pieces of advice that are certain:
• The exterior wall is a far better location for new insulation than the
interior foundation walls.
• Never insulate a wall that is not dry and well drained.
Almost all of the issues surrounding basement wall insulation have to do
with moisture and water vapor. How these issues affect your plans will
depend a great deal on your climate, as well as on the specific
characteristics of your house, your building site, and whether or not your
home was built with foundation drains and a pumping system.

HOW TO REPAIR FLOOR CRACKS

Prepare the crack for the repair materials by knocking away any loose or
deteriorating material and beveling the edges down and outward with a cold chisel.
Sweep or vacuum the debris and thoroughly dampen the repair area. Do not allow any
water to pool, however.

BASEMENT FLOORS

Preparing a concrete floor for carpet, laminate, vinyl, or wood flooringhas been simplified by the introduction of new subfloor products that havebuilt-in vapor barriers and cleats that create a slight air gap between thesubfloor and the concrete slab. This system allows air to circulate,protecting the finished flooring from any slab moisture. The new dry-floorsubfloor systems are less than one inch thick and are very easy to install.