BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Interior and exterior safe room locations for slab-on-grade foundations.

Publication Date

Mon, 12/01/2014 - 12:00

Pouring the slab

Patio Slabs, Porch Slabs, Walkways, and Driveways Slope Away from House

Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Building Enclosure: Foundation Overview

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed between the ground and the slab

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Concrete slab over polyethylene sheeting as capillary break

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

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.

There is polyethylene sheeting installed to provide a capillary break between the ground and slab

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 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.

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.

Right – The drain slopes away from the foundation and terminates at the proper distance

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Impervious surfaces like patio slabs, sidewalks, and driveways that are within 10 feet of the home should slope away from the house.

Wrong – Drain pipe has been cut and foundation penetration has not been properly sealed

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

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.

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Footing Drain Pipe

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

Easy access

Publication Date

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00

Trapezoid swale design

Water intrusion

A damp crawlspace

Poor drainage conditions can enable water to pool around the home.

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

The seams of the rigid insulation are not taped and it will not provide a complete capillary break

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 – Driveway is not sloped away from the house

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

Right – Driveway is installed to slope water away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The final grade does not slope away from the house

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

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

Lapped and taped polyethylene sheeting

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

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

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.

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.

Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.

Flooding Overview

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

Swales, Drains, and Site Grading for Stormwater Control

Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.