BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Radon Mitigation in New Construction

Video

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

Polyethylene Over Aggregate

Polyethylene Over Aggregate

CAD File

Rigid Insulation Over Aggregate

Rigid Insulation Over Aggregate

CAD File

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Reference

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

Insulating Crawl Space Floors in Existing Homes

Guide

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

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lapped and taped polyethylene sheeting

Lapped and taped polyethylene sheeting

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Wrong – Driveway is not sloped away from the house

Wrong – Driveway is not sloped away from the house

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

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

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Taping polyethylene sheeting at interior pier footings

Taping polyethylene sheeting at interior pier footings

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

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

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

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

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Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

Right – The final grade slopes away from the house

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FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Concrete Plans and Details

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Concrete Plans and Details

CAD File

Radon Fan

Guide

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan to actively remove radon from the home.

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

Guide

Guide describing how to install an airtight cover on a sump pump in the basement or crawlspace of a home to minimize humidity in the home.