Re: re: [equality]Damp Slab Edge Solution from Australia?

[Guest guest]

Steve:

I can't agree more that the building codes need to be revised to include

stronger provisions for foundation drainage. However, I am curious....Just

where/when did you hear that concrete's wicking height is 20 stories? Given

the transmissivity of concrete, the molecules of water present 20 stories

should be few, if present at all; the source is nearly 200-ft vertically

distant. Just wondering!?!

--

Geyer, PE, CIH, CSP

President

KERNTEC Industries, Inc.

Bakersfield, California

www.kerntecindustries.com

> Damp slab edge is typically moisture wicking up through the stemwalls (or

> deeper parts of the slab under load bearing walls, if done as a single pour),

> rather than a failure to initially dry out.

>

> The fix is keeping wickable water below the wicking height of the soil below

> the lowest part of the concrete, since the wicking height of concrete is about

> 20 stories last I heard...

>

> ...and of course failure to understand that, both on the part of the

> contractor who built my " sick house " , and on my part as we struggled to figure

> out what was going on, cost my family both our health and a six figure sum of

> money. Was fascinating to see the wicking patterns in the grey waterproofing

> vinyl we put down, in the months before we put the new flooring in above it.

>

> The codes should require proper drainage relative to the soil conditions on

> the site. All other " quick fixes " don't solve the problem.

>

> -Steve Chalmers

> stevec@...

>

>

>

>

> Damp Slab Edge Solution from Australia?

> Posted by: " snk1955@... " snk1955@... snk1955

> Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:09 pm (PST)

> Seats of Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, forwarded the

> following information to me from a gentleman in Australia,

>

> Hallinan

> 37 Westwood Drive

> Samford Valley, Queensland 4520

> Australia 61 07 3289 3732

>

> " You will recall that, since 1999, because our whole parquetry floor had

> erupted through 'slab edge dampness', I had been fighting the Regulatory

> Authority (QBSA) ........ spent some $A 80,000 in

> waterproofing and a new floor (see 'Finished Floor' attachment).........

>

> The day after the restoration work was finished, I had a brainwave and

> thought of a way that wet footings could be dried out, after (or during)

> construction and with which the builder could have solved the problem and

> repaired the floor for $5,000.

>

> The Authority is so interested in my 'Damp Slab Edge Solution' that is,

> currently, being considered for inclusion in the Australian Standard AS 2870

> (Slabs and Floors) and, if it can be of assistance to your members, please

> feel free to use it, as attached or have any desperate home owner contact

> me. "

>

> This is what he says that I thought may be of interest to you all. It is

> over my head, so take it for what it is worth.

>

> Sharon

>

>

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