BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Right – Polyethylene sheeting is laid over aggregate and over footing to provide a capillary break between the ground and the slab and between the footing and the stem wall

Polyethylene sheeting covers the aggregate and extends down and under the footing to provide a capillary break between the ground and the slab and monolithic footing

DWG

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

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

The Habitat affiliate makes its own “ICF” foundation walls with rigid foam held in place with wood spacers.

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.

Install termite shields and use solid concrete or filled concrete block for the top of foundation walls to deter termites and other pests

Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Wrong – The footing drain pipe should end at least 10 feet from the foundation if above ground or should drain into a drywell or storm sewer.

Pest protection measures include a termite shield under the rim joist and extending out on either side of the stem wall, insect screening under the furring air gap, and brick veneer to protect slab-edge insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

An anchor side plate is used to connect the concrete foundation to the sill plate from the exterior as part of a seismic retrofit when the sill plate is not accessible from the interior of the home

Publication Date

Tue, 08/24/2021 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, CMU block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, poured-concrete stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right – The raised-slab, brick-and-block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

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.

Right – The foundation of this ICF home was constructed of ICFs that were set in place on a gravel bed, then 3.5 inches (R-36) of closed-cell spray foam was sprayed directly onto the gravel, providing an effective air, vapor, and thermal barrier.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

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

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

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

Footing Drain Pipe

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

Passive House Underslab Foam & Vapor Barrier: Karuna Video #6

Publication Date

February, 2012

Video describing the under slab and vapor barrier used on a passive house.

Easy access

Publication Date

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00

Trapezoid swale design

Water intrusion

A damp crawlspace

Wrong – Polyethylene sheeting does not completely cover the aggregate and the footing

Right – Polyethylene sheeting completely covers the aggregate and the footing with no tears or open seams

Wrong - Polyethylene sheeting should be lapped up sides of walls and pillars and taped

Right - This rigid insulation is correctly installed in a level layer over aggregate; the seams will be taped

Wrong – Polyethylene sheeting does not extend beyond edge of aggregate to separate the footer from the stem wall which will be poured next

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

Radon Mitigation in New Construction

Publication Date

August, 2013

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing radon precautions taken for a construction project in a high-risk radon area in Alaska.

Polyethylene Over Aggregate

DWG

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Rigid Insulation Over Aggregate

DWG

PDF

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

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)

Fulger Don

Organization(s)

Home Energy

Publication Date

November, 2004

Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

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

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.

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Concrete Plans and Details

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