Waterstops

[ron9876]

Does anyone have experience with dumbbell type waterstops in a building situation. I have experince using them in water treatment structures but not buildings.

I have a condition where I am well under water (about 13'). Lots of hydrostatic pressure. Will a bentonite waterstop work with this much pressure? Which is the most prevalent?

 

[hokie66]

Water needs to be stopped at the outside face of basement walls. Waterstops on the face at joints can assist, in conjunction with the waterproofing membrane. Central waterstops interfere with reinforcement and are difficult to place and make continuous.

 

[vandede427]

for double measure, use waterproofing on the soil side of your wall and a waterstop at your wall/footing intersection.

 

[doka1]

I agree with Hokie, dumbell waterstops are rarely installed correctly, rarely spliced correctly. Futhermore, as hokie eluded to, the waterstop often interferes with the reinforcement and especially the keyway in a footing. Even if it is installed correctly, many people have a hard time keeping the waterstop clean from the splatter during concrete placement. The next hurdle is fastening it enough to the reinforcement. If it is not fastened enough it can bend over, ie at the wall footing intersection. Consult the wr meadows about allowable head pressure, but i am almost positive 13' is not a problem.

 

[cvg]

i would not recommend bentonite as the primary line of defense against water intrusion. However, I would recommend that it is a good product to provide a little more peace of mind. Must be used in conjunction with things like waterstops, foundation drain, granular drainage backfill, geocomposite wall drain or pumps etc.