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This is a bulding code question. What is code for waterproofing

 

Customer Question

This is a bulding code question. What is code for waterproofing foundation and walls when 1st floor is 40 inches below grade on one side because of terracing buildind sites(side by side)?

Submitted: 286 days and 7 hours ago.
Category: Structural Engineering
Value: $45
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  walkereng replied 286 days and 6 hours ago.


walkereng :

I can help

walkereng :

Let me read your question a bit closer

walkereng :

The 2012 International Residential Code discusses drainage.

R401.3 Drainage. Surface drainage shall be diverted to astorm sewer conveyance or other approved point of collectionthat does not create a hazard. Lots shall be graded todrain surface water away from foundation walls. The gradeshall fall a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) within the first 10feet (3048 mm).

walkereng :

Let me get the section on waterproofing

Customer :

Hi

Customer :

what about waterproofing(sealing walls) up to x inches above?

Customer :

What about sealing (waterproofing) walls x inches above gradeline?

walkereng :

R405.1 Concrete or masonry foundations. Drains shall beprovided around all concrete or masonry foundations thatretain earth and enclose habitable or usable spaces locatedbelow grade. Drainage tiles, gravel or crushed stone drains,perforated pipe or other approved systems or materials shallbe installed at or below the area to be protected and shall dischargeby gravity or mechanical means into an approveddrainage system. Gravel or crushed stone drains shall extendat least 1 foot (305 mm) beyond the outside edge of the footingand 6 inches (152 mm) above the top of the footing andbe covered with an approved filter membrane material. Thetop of open joints of drain tiles shall be protected with stripsof building paper. Perforated drains shall be surrounded withan approved filter membrane or the filter membrane shallcover the washed gravel or crushed rock covering the drain.Drainage tiles or perforated pipe shall be placed on a minimumof 2 inches (51 mm) of washed gravel or crushed rockat least one sieve size larger than the tile joint opening or perforationand covered with not less than 6 inches (152 mm) ofthe same material.

Customer :

Problem is in Glendora, CA. I am on the lower elevation terraced lot. My wall that encloses my family room, bedroom bathroom and garage is and is against the dirt for approx 40 inches. My home has been flooded by water from the lot higher than mine.

walkereng :

Here is the code requirement for waterproofing

walkereng :

R406.2 Concrete and masonry foundation waterproofing.In areas where a high water table or other severe soil-waterconditions are known to exist, exterior foundation walls thatretain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors belowgrade shall be waterproofed from the top of the footing to thefinished grade. Walls shall be waterproofed in accordancewith one of the following:1. Two-ply hot-mopped felts.2. Fifty-five-pound (25 kg) roll roofing.3. Six-mil (0.15 mm) polyvinyl chloride.4. Six-mil (0.15 mm) polyethylene.5. Forty-mil (1 mm) polymer-modified asphalt.6. Sixty-mil (1.5 mm) flexible polymer cement.7. One-eighth-inch (3 mm) cement-based, fiber-reinforced,waterproof coating.8. Sixty-mil (0.22 mm) solvent-free liquid-applied syntheticrubber.Exception: Organic-solvent-based products such ashydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones andesters shall not be used for ICF walls with expanded polystyreneform material. Use of plastic roofing cements,acrylic coatings, latex coatings, mortars and pargings toseal ICF walls is permitted. Cold-setting asphalt or hotasphalt shall conform to type C of ASTM D 449. Hotasphalt shall be applied at a temperature of less than 200°F(93°C).All joints in membrane waterproofing shall be lapped andsealed with an adhesive compatible with the membrane.

walkereng :

The section above gives you the options you can use to waterproof the exterior side of your foundation walls.

walkereng :

exterior foundation walls that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be waterproofed from the top of the footing to the finished grade

Customer :

It appears that my home should not be leaking in water if the waterproofing was done and done properly to not deteriorate. The home was built in 1977. I was told that this happened at least once before in the past 10 ears or less. I have only been here since 2009.

Customer :

What book of codesdoes this information come from?

Customer :

What kind of a repair service would I need to find to fix this problem?

Customer :

Thses are not common wall properties there is earth separation between each residence.

walkereng :

I am heading out to dinner right now (on East Coast time), can I get back to you with more detail a little later this evening?

walkereng :

I am going to switch over to the Q&A format and we can continue with the e-mail process. When I come back online, I will send you an e-mail to tell you I am back, so check your e-mail periodically ( the e-mail account you gave to JustAnswer). You do not need to hit the "Accept" button until we are complete and you are satisfied. Thanks.

Expert TypeConsultant
Category: Structural Engineering
Pos. Feedback: 97.6 %
Accepts: 836
Answered: 6/23/2012

Experience: Over 27 years of Structural Engineering experience

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Expert:  walkereng replied 286 days and 6 hours ago.

Our chat has ended, but you can still continue to ask me questions here until you are satisfied with your answer. Come back to this page to view our conversation and any other new information.

What happens now?

If you haven’t already done so, please rate your answer above. Or, you can reply to me using the box below.

Customer replied 286 days and 6 hours ago.

I look forward to your e-mail responses. You hsve been very professional and helpful.


Walt

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Expert:  walkereng replied 286 days ago.

The code sections I quoted were from the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC). Most all residential Building Codes that are adopted in the U.S. are based on the IRC. Since you are inc California, you will be following the California Building Code.

Here is a link to the 2010 California Residential Code, SECTION R406 FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING AND DAMPPROOFING
http://publicecodes.citation.com/st/ca/st/b400v10/st_ca_st_b400v10_4_sec006.htm

You would need to have the exterior of your foundation wall investigated to see if the proper waterproofing was applied to the back of the wall. You would need to excavate several places around your foundation wall to expose the back of the wall to see how it was constructed. If there is not any waterproofing, you should have the entire wall excavated and waterproofing applied. You need to make sure you provide drainage pipes at the base of the footings and you backfill with free draining material.

Customer replied 283 days and 11 hours ago.

Hi,


 


I was sure I responed with an Excellent Service Rating and also a Tip of 20% and $9.00.


 


If this did not come through, please advise me and also how to go forward. Both the $45.00 fee and the $9.00 Tip have cleared my bank account, so I can not understand if you did not recieve my response. Your service was excellent and timely, thank you.

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Expert:  walkereng replied 283 days and 11 hours ago.

I just checked and the system shows the $45 fee (split 50/50) was paid on 6/23/12 at 5:41 p.m.

Did the system send you something about not paying? I did not send anything.
41086.677234294

 
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