BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Basic foundation types: deep basement, submerged crawl space, flush crawl space, and slab-on-grade

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

Right – A sump pump with a perforated sump pit was installed in the crawlspace slab to reduce water accumulation under the slab

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)

Carmody John,

Mosiman Garrett,

Handeen Daniel,

Huelman Patrick H,

Christian Jeffrey E

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Publication Date

January, 2013

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Concrete slab over polyethylene sheeting as capillary break

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

A concrete slab floor can be elevated above local grade as a strategy to prevent flood damage.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floor - Polyethylene Sheeting under Concrete Slab

Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Rigid foam insulation and a thin slab were installed over the dirt and gravel of this sealed crawlspace

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Crawl space interior insulation with EPS or XPS semi-permeable insulation on inside wall

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Unvented crawl space with interior insulation - designed for termite resistance in heavily infested areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Unvented concrete masonry unit crawl space with exterior insulation - designed for termite resistance in moderately infested areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Potential locations for crawlspace insulation: vapor sheeting should always cover the floor with insulation (a) outside walls, (b) inside walls, (c) both sides of walls, (d) sandwiched inside walls, or (e) under the first floor.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

There is 6 mil. polyethylene sheeting installed and sealed in the crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – No polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is installed on the crawlspace floor

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Comprehensive water management features include a capillary break (≥ 6-mil polyethylene sheeting) at all crawlspace floors

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:00

Taping polyethylene sheeting at interior pier footings

Publication Date

Mon, 11/01/2004 - 12:00

Vertical Radon Ventilation Pipe

Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.

Lapped and taped polyethylene sheeting

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Radon Fan

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Air Sealing Sill Plates

Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basements or Crawlspaces

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

Unvented, Insulated Crawlspaces

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Crawlspaces and Basements

Information guide describing things to consider in the basement or crawlspace before attempting retrofits of adjacent items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Crawl Space Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating crawl space walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.