Water Proofing Treatment for Basement

(This article is specifically designed for Indian continent)

A dry basement is a fun place to have. Usually home owners do not care for proper
design of the basement at the time of consutruction and face tremendous problems
later on. If care is taken initially, a lot of problems can be avoided.
Entry of outside water, rise in water level, and seepage from side structure including
leakage in pipe and sewer line are some of the problems that one may face.If proper
care is not taken for such problems, they may endanger the structure including
basement and above floors.
The following methods are applied for water proofing of basement during
construction.
1. Basement where adequate space is available for excavation.
2. Basement where limited space is available for excavation
Basement where adequate space is available for excavation
The excavation of ground for basement is carried out in such a manner that working
space of at least 60 cm is available around external walls. If water level is high, the
excavated area should be kept dry by continuous pumping.

The following operations are executed in water proofing of basement.

1) On dry and leveled ground 75 to 100 mm thick lean concrete is laid to serve as a
leveling course for water proofing.
2) The bitumen based primer is applied with brush on entire area at 0.24 to 0.30 liter
per sq. meter after cleaning the surface.
3) Bitumen compound polyester membrane is fixed in hot bitumen of grade 85/25 at
the rate of 1.5 kg. Per square meter. This layer should be protected by construction of
flat brick flooring.
4) After construction of structural slab and walls, water proofing treatment on
external face which is in contact with earth is done.
5) After the surface is cleaned, bitumen primer is applied.
6) Self adhesive S B S rubber bitumen membrane with high density polyethylene
film is applied on vertical walls.
7) Before back filling the soil an outer protective wall leaving a space about 100 mm
around should be made and the space should be grouted subsequently.
Basement where limited space is available for excavation
The following operations are executed in water proofing of basement where space for
excavation around basement is limited.
1) The base slab of lean concrete is laid followed by construction of external
protective wall. Its internal face is rough plastered. Horizontal damp proofing
treatment is carried out.
2) In the same manner as described in above process vertical damp proofing treatment
is applied on inside plastered surface of the protective wall.
3) The treatment should be continuous on the wall and the floor.
4) For vertical damp proofing continuous with horizontal a fillet 75 mm ratios of 1:4
cement mortars should be provided at the junction of the slab and outer protective
wall.
5) The horizontal and vertical damp proofing is protected against damage during
subsequent operations.
6) Flat brick flooring and an inner protective wall are constructed.
7) The space of 100 mm left between vertical damp roofing treatment and internal
protective wall is grouted after laying damp proofing membranes.
8) Thickness and reinforcement of RCC structural slab and walls are designed
according to depth.

Basement
Basement
Construction under natural ground is called Basement. Now a day due to increasing
population there is less availability of land for construction work . The rates of land
are very high. To obtain more covered area from same size of land, the construction
under natural ground level is being done.

Precautions for Basement

Excavation for Basement should be avoided in rainy season.

While making excavation for basement safety of adjoining buildings and their
foundation should be kept in mind.
Arrangement for water pump should be made at site for pumping out of rainy
water.
The bearing capacity of soil should be taken 5 feet below the level of
basement for designing.
Water level of the area should be kept in mind while designing the basement.
Damp proofing of side walls should be done properly to avoid damage in
building material.
Damp proofing in the floor should also be designed to prevent any
seepage/dampness under the ground.
Water proofing in floor should be designed to prevent the seepage/ dampness
during monsoon season because there may be chances of the rise in water

level of the ground. Due to the rise in water level, the problem of
seepage/dampness in the floors of the basement may occur.
While designing side walls and columns, the side thrust of earth around the
basement should be taken in account to avoid any damage or cracks in the
walls.
Arrangements for exhaust fan should be made.
Arrangements for ventilation must be kept according to the space available.
The electrical wire having good insulation must be used. Try to give
minimum joints in electrical wire. The joint surface should properly be
insulated as there are many chances of mishap due to dampness.
Permanent water pumping arrangements should be fitted in advance. This
arrangement can be used to discharge accumulated water due to heavy rain or
leakage in the pipe immediately.
Sewer line for upper floor should be designed in such a way that can not be
harmful to basement in case of blockage or heavy discharge.

Comparison between Basement and

Additional Upper Floor
Comparison between Basement and Additional Upper Floor Construction
Construction of basement and multi storey building is the need of the hour as there is
less availability of land and rates of the land are very high. We get additional usable
space by constructing either basement or upper floor.
Comparison for both is given in the table below.
Comparison According to Use
S.
No.

Basement

1.

Good for storage specially for heavy items Not practical for storage

2.

Used for installation of light machinery or

Not practical
any small manufacturing unit.

3.

Usable for office purpose but there are

some ventilation problems

Used for office purpose having no

ventilation problem

4.

Can not be used for residential purpose

Used as residential purpose

Upper Floor

Comparison According to Construction

S.
No.

Basement

Upper Floor

1.

Seepage problem from side structure, Leakage in pipe line or

sewer line and rainy water may enter in case of heavy rain

No such
problem

2.

Construction of septic tank is necessary for construction of

toilet. It is costly and may arise any problem at anytime.

No such
problem

3.

Disposal of excavated material

No such
problem

4.

The safety of adjoining building and their foundation may arise No such
during excavation in built up area
problem

5.

The whole structure may be in danger in case of rise in water

level

No such
problem

Basement Interior Design

The interior design of basement is a specialized skill. In absence of natural light and
air, interior design of basement requires more attention and care to fulfill requirement
of house owner. The basement design should be highly considered as compared to
ordinary design of a room. It is better that basement interior design should be
approved from professional interior designer who knows his job well.
A basement is very functional space and can be used to enjoy more fun in different
ways. This place can be used as gym, game room, kids play room, home office, store,
pool table space, bar or even home theater. The interior design of basement is costly
than the space to be designed above ground.

Down to earth entertainment

(This Picture is Contributed by "Ahmed")

Some problems faced during Basement Interior Design.

Low ceiling.
Dampness
Pipelines
Sewerage
Low level hanging pipes

Healthy Basement
(This Picture is Contributed by "Ahmed")

Points to be consider while designing basement interior

As the basement is situated at the bottom of building and is either built underground
or slightly above ground, interior designer should consider some special aspects or
steps while doing interior designing of the basement as given under:

Arrangement of artificial lighting while basement design to compensate

absence of natural light.
Workspace lighting having separate control should be added where necessary.
Installation of windows towards road/street side above ground up to slab
level.
Exhaust fan is provided in the space between the ground and roof of basement
towards road side.
If basement is fully underground, the air is exhausted through duct (pipe)
above top roof.
Faux windows /open space with duct may be provided to counteract effects of
enclosed space.
Air conditioning is done in absence of natural air.
Vent is provided to give natural ventilation.
To make independent use of basement, toilet facility is provided with the walls
towards road or street.
In case of leakage or flood etc. arrangement for pumping water may be
provided with outer wall of the basement.
The space is designed according to the requirement of house owner.
The wall and ceiling are painted according to the use of space.

If there is big basement, the space is divided according to the requirement and
it should have independent locking arrangement.
Electrical pipes, wires and water supply pipes are hidden by paneling with
walls so that they can be checked during any fault occurred in the line.
In case of large basement area, the number of entrance gate is more than 2 for
easy approach and emergency.
Fire fighting arrangement is provided while designing the basement.
If interior design of basement is done in existing building, care should be
taken that dismantling is minimum.
Suitable space is made for water heater, furnaces and water storage etc.