Water Proofing of

Basements
 Water Proofing of
Basements
Basements :
Basement is the structure which is below the ground storey.
Apart from structural design of Basement walls and floors;
waterproofing present the greatest problem in construction of
basements
Basement structure can be waterproofed by one of the three
methods
1] Monolithic Structures
2] Membrane Waterproofing
3] Drained Cavity Waterproofing

1] Monolithic Structures :
These are basements of dense r.c.c. walls. To achieve water
proofing of Basement three things should be strictly
followed.
1] Design of Concrete Mix
2] Control of Actual Mixing
3] Perfect formwork and careful concreting.
Shrinkage, cracking can be largely controlled by forming
construction joints. These joints should provide continuity of
reinforcement. And P.V.C. or rubber water bars as a barrier to
the passage of water should be used.

-- Shrinkage joints
CONSTRUCTION JOINTS
2] Drained Cavity Waterproofing:
In this, it is expected that some amount of seepage of
water will take place.
Arrangement are made to collect this water & drain it
away without reaching to interior of buildings.
This is achieved by creating a cavity by constructing an
inner non-load bearing wall
Water is drained away below a floor of precast Dry angle
tiles resting over the structural floor of basement.
The water is collected in the sump and then it is pumped
away.
Drained Cavity Waterproofing
Drained Cavity Waterproofing:
3] Membrane Waterproofing:
A membrane is relatively thin material placed either on
the external or internal face of the basement walls to
resist the passage of moisture to the inside of the
basement.
Tanking : Tanking is used to describe a continuous water
proofing lining to the walls and floors of substructure to
act as tank to external water
Materials : Suitable material which are used to form
membrane are bituminous felt, epoxy resin compounds
and mastic asphalts.
Asphalt Tanking : The basic principle of Asphalt
tanking is to provide a continuous water proof membrane
to the base and wall of the basement. It is applied in
layers over small areas. Joints in successive coats
should be staggered by at least 150 mm in horizontal
work and at least 75 mm in vertical work.
Layers : three
Total Thickness : 30 mm
Angle fillet at junction between vertical & horizontal
Wall, 25 mm wide x 25mm deep groove at the top edge.
 Advantages of Asphalt Tanking
Asphalt can be molded (after heating) with hand float
to any desired shape or contour.
Babylonian excavations have shown durability of Asphalt
over 5000 years.
Impervious to both Water and Water Vapour
Non Toxic, vermin proof and odourless after laying.
Unaffected by sulphates in the soil hence can be used
externally to improve durability of concrete structure.