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// CODE SNIPPET

Section R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing

2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing
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R406.1 Concrete and Masonry Foundation Dampproofing

Except where required by Section R406.2 to be waterproofed, foundation walls that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be dampproofed from the top of the footing to the finished grade. Masonry walls shall have not less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) portland cement parging applied to the exterior of the wall. The parging shall be dampproofed in accordance with one of the following:

  1. Bituminous coating.
  2. Three pounds per square yard (1.63 kg/m2) of acrylic modified cement.
  3. One-eighth inch (3.2 mm) coat of surface-bonding cement complying with ASTM C 887.
  4. Any material permitted for waterproofing in Section R406.2.
  5. Other approved methods or materials.

    Exception: Parging of unit masonry walls is not required where a material is approved for direct application to the masonry.

Concrete walls shall be dampproofed by applying any one of the above listed dampproofing materials or any one of the waterproofing materials listed in Section R406.2 to the exterior of the wall.

R406.2 Concrete and Masonry Foundation Waterproofing

In areas where a high water table or other severe soil-water conditions are known to exist, exterior foundation walls that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be waterproofed from the top of the footing to the finished grade. Walls shall be waterproofed in accordance with one of the following:

  1. Two-ply hot-mopped felts.
  2. Fifty-five-pound (25 kg) roll roofing.
  3. Six-mil (0.15 mm) polyvinyl chloride.
  4. Six-mil (0.15 mm) polyethylene.
  5. Forty-mil (1 mm) polymer-modified asphalt.
  6. Sixty-mil (1.5 mm) flexible polymer cement.
  7. One-eighth-inch (3 mm) cement-based, fiber-reinforced, waterproof coating.
  8. Sixty-mil (1.5 mm) solvent-free liquid-applied synthetic rubber.

Exception: Organic-solvent-based products such as hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones and esters shall not be used for ICF walls with expanded polystyrene form material. Use of plastic roofing cements, acrylic coatings, latex coatings, mortars and pargings to seal ICF walls is permitted. Cold-setting asphalt or hot asphalt shall conform to type C of ASTM D 449. Hot asphalt shall be applied at a temperature of less than 200°F (93°C).

All joints in membrane waterproofing shall be lapped and sealed with an adhesive compatible with the membrane.

R406.3 Dampproofing for Wood Foundations

Wood foundations enclosing habitable or usable spaces located below grade shall be dampproofed in accordance with Sections R406.3.1 through R406.3.4.

R406.3.1 Panel Joint Sealed

Plywood panel joints in the foundation walls shall be sealed full length with a caulking compound capable of producing a moisture-proof seal under the conditions of temperature and moisture content at which it will be applied and used.

R406.3.2 Below-Grade Moisture Barrier

A 6-mil-thick (0.15 mm) polyethylene film shall be applied over the below-grade portion of exterior foundation walls prior to backfilling. Joints in the polyethylene film shall be lapped 6 inches (152 mm) and sealed with adhesive. The top edge of the polyethylene film shall be bonded to the sheathing to form a seal. Film areas at grade level shall be protected from mechanical damage and exposure by a pressure preservatively treated lumber or plywood strip attached to the wall several inches above finish grade level and extending approximately 9 inches (229 mm) below grade. The joint between the strip and the wall shall be caulked full length prior to fastening the strip to the wall. Other coverings appropriate to the architectural treatment may also be used. The polyethylene film shall extend down to the bottom of the wood footing plate but shall not overlap or extend into the gravel or crushed stone footing.

R406.3.3 Porous Fill

The space between the excavation and the foundation wall shall be backfilled with the same material used for footings, up to a height of 1 foot (305 mm) above the footing for well-drained sites, or one-half the total back-fill height for poorly drained sites. The porous fill shall be covered with strips of 30-pound (13.6 kg) asphalt paper or 6-mil (0.15 mm) polyethylene to permit water seepage while avoiding infiltration of fine soils.

R406.3.4 Backfill

The remainder of the excavated area shall be backfilled with the same type of soil as was removed during the excavation.

R406.4 Precast Concrete Foundation System Dampproofing

Except where required by Section R406.2 to be waterproofed, precast concrete foundation walls enclosing habitable or useable spaces located below grade shall be dampproofed in accordance with Section R406.1.

R406.4.1 Panel Joints Sealed

Precast concrete foundation panel joints shall be sealed full height with a sealant meeting ASTM C 920, Type S or M, Grade NS, Class 25, Use NT, M or A. Joint sealant shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Related Code Sections


Section R406 Foundations, Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing
foundation walls enclosing habitable or useable spaces located below grade shall be dampproofed in accordance with Section R406.1 ...
2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing
R406.3.2 Foundations, Below-Grade Moisture Barrier
A 6-mil-thick (0.15 mm) polyethylene film shall be applied over the below- grade portion of exterior foundation walls prior to backfilling. Joints ...
2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing > R406.3 Dampproofing for Wood Foundations > R406.3.2 Below-Grade Moisture Barrier
R406.3.3 Foundations, Porous Fill
The space between the excavation and the foundation wall shall be backfilled with the same material used for footings, up to a height of 1 foot (305 ...
2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing > R406.3 Dampproofing for Wood Foundations > R406.3.3 Porous Fill
R406.3.4 Foundations, Backfill
The remainder of the excavated area shall be backfilled with the same type of soil as was removed during the excavation ...
2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing > R406.3 Dampproofing for Wood Foundations > R406.3.4 Backfill
R406.4.1 Foundations, Panel Joints Sealed
Precast concrete foundation panel joints shall be sealed full height with a sealant meeting ASTM C 920, Type S or M, Grade NS, Class 25, Use NT, M ...
2012 Virginia Residential Code > 4 Foundations > R406 Foundation Waterproofingand Dampproofing > R406.4 Precast Concrete Foundation System Dampproofing > R406.4.1 Panel Joints Sealed
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