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What else can I help you with?
Are poured concrete walls better than concrete block walls?
It depends on the application. For homes, masonry is fine as long as it is insulated well against the weather. Masonry rarely needs maintenance. Concrete walls are stronger and last longer than masonry but are more costly to construct. For basement walls, I suggest that you always use concrete walls. Above ground level, masonry is cheaper and strong enough for residential and commercial, multi-story applications. For retaining walls, 8" thick masonry works well up to about 8 feet of retained earth. Above that, the lower courses of block will get thicker to 12". You still need concrete footings for block walls.
Why is a nuclear reactor enclosed in concrete?
For shielding against radiation and to provide more safety barrier against any unexpected emergency conditions.
What do you need to put in a sub floor in a basement?
The short answer:Hydrostatic pressure.The long answer:When the foundation of your home was dug, there was a gap between the outer foundation walls and the inner walls. This space was backfilled with soil, but the soil will always be fluffed up and lighter than the virgin soil around it. When it rains, this soil naturally holds much more water than the rest, and a false water table is created around your home.How does this affect your basement floor?Your basement is made out of concrete, or perhaps, stone, or brick. Regardless, concrete, mortar, and brick are porous, and water vapor easily travels through as water pressure from the false water table presses on the foundation. Generally, the inside foundation surface won't look damp, because the drier air will suck the moisture out right away and turn it into humidity in the basement.If you lay wood or carpet on the basement floor or drywall on the walls, it's going to get damp. It's damp, it's warm, and it's organic (drywall has layers of thick paper on its surface. That means mold, rot, mildew, smells, and dust mite feces for your basment. Even "mold resistant" drywall has no warranty against mold.As a final strike, the air in your home moves upwards. This means that as warm air exits from the attic and upper levels, your basement air comes upstairs. If you have mold spores, odors, and dust mite feces in the basement air, you'll be breathing it in as well. And replacing the moldy, rotting floors will be VERY tough on your bank account.Find some waterproof sub floor to place on your basement floor that can serve as a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from collecting under your carpet and starting a vicious cycle.I write the content for Total Basement Finishing. We have some great info about sub floors there as well, if you're interested. Check out http://www.totalbasementfinishing.com/basement-floor.php .
How do you insulate a basement?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, basements should be insulated with closed cell foam board applied directly against the wall. No wood studs,or fiberglas should be used in basements because when combined with typical basement moisture, they favor mold growth.
How do you waterproof a slab on grade foundation?
Use polyethylene sheet membrane. Prior to concrete placing, cover the entire area with a layer of PE sheet membrane extending the perimeter of slab and up against wall for the depth of concrete.
What is the best sealer for concrete basement floors?
The best sealer for concrete basement floors is a penetrating concrete sealer that provides long-lasting protection against moisture and stains. Look for a sealer specifically designed for basement floors to ensure optimal performance.
What are the benefits of using a concrete sealer for basement walls?
Using a concrete sealer for basement walls provides protection against moisture, mold, and mildew, which can help prevent damage and improve indoor air quality. It also helps to extend the lifespan of the walls and make them easier to clean and maintain.
What material can withstand a nuclear blast?
Materials that are able to withstand a nuclear blast include thick, reinforced concrete, steel, and lead. These materials are used in the construction of bunkers and nuclear shelters to provide protection against the intense heat, pressure, and radiation generated by a nuclear explosion.
What are the benefits of using concrete exterior walls in construction projects?
Concrete exterior walls offer several benefits in construction projects, including durability, strength, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. They provide excellent protection against weather elements and can help reduce maintenance costs over time. Additionally, concrete walls have a long lifespan and can contribute to the overall sustainability of a building.
It is possible to waterproof the basement walls?
You don't water proof the wood. The basement walls are made of concrete or concrete block - a porous material. That concrete can be sealed before you stud and cover the walls with wood. On the exterior, the dirt is dug away from the basement walls, then the areas of those walls that will be underground are first covered in a special plastic then tar is applied and the dirt is pushed back up against the foundation. The dirt should be graded away from the house so that water is directed away from the foundation and not toward it.
Why are basements humid?
Basements are humid because they are basically a box of porous concrete (or stone) buried in wet dirt. To build a basement, a hole is dug in the floor, and then the walls are either built or poured in. When that is done, the dug out dirt is used to back fill the hole around the basement walls. No matter how much you try to compact it, that portion of the soil will never be as compact and hard packed as the undisturbed portion of the land around it. As a result, it will soak up water like a sponge, increasing the water table around the basement wall. In building science that is called "clay bowl effect". When there is heavy rain, and that soil gets over saturated, the resulting hydrostatic pressure will push the water against the basement walls, and it will eventually find its way in. It will infiltrate the concrete, due to capillary action, and it will seep out of joints and cracks as well.
What are three agents that can cause abrasion?
water, air, and gravity (rocks scrape against each other by the cause of gravity.)
What can you use to cover basement walls?
The easiest thing is to nail PRESSURE TREATED 1x4's to the concrete/block at 16 inch intervals, just like wall studs. Then you can fasten any standard wall material to those. ------------------- However, using wood against the basement wall is like inviting mold into your basement and home. Even a dry basement will always have some level of ground moisture seeping through the concrete. Wood, (even pressure treated one) is not waterproof. It soaks up water and it will support mold growth. The same goes for fiberglass insulation, drywall and greenboard. They all have organic compounds and they all absorb water. If you want an insulated basement, closed cell foam board attached directly against the wall, is what the U.S. Department of Energy recommends for basements. If you want insulation and a finished look, 100% waterproof cement core insulated panels are the best choice. They will not get damaged by typical moisture and won't be ruined in a basement flood. If all you want is to spruce up the walls, acrylic panels or encapsulated fiberglass panels are a more affordable solution. The first will just bright up the walls, the second will add some level of insulation. For irregular stone walls, a sturdy, clear 20 mil liner or a radiant liner might be the best choice.
Can cinder be used in the sunken parts of a reinforced cement concrete slab?
Some contractors recommend and use cinder in the sunken parts of a reinforced cement concrete slab. Others caution against it in construction where a lot of seepage can occur because cinder can have a tendency to retain the water.
What are pole barns made of in material?
Pole barns are made of pressure-treated wood that are anchored into the ground with concrete. This makes them extremely strong against the elements it will endure.
Why puddle flange is using in plumbing?
ss puddle flange ensure a watertight and pressure-tight seal where pipes pass through concrete walls of any structure or building. When a pipe is required to pass through a wall or concrete structure it is usually cast at the point of construction.
If a tornado is coming from the West which wall in basement should you lay against?
Where you should go in your basement does not depend on where the tornado is coming from, but how the house and basement are arranged. You will want to be away from windows and preferably in a corner. If there is a small room within the basement, the walls can add protection.
