Fiberboard Basement Waterproofing

The key to keeping any basement dry is keeping water off the basement wall. If water can’t get to the wall it logically follows that it won’t get in. This is why builders go to great lengths to properly grade lots, apply various kinds of waterproofing to walls, install sump pumps and footer drains all in an effort to keep the water away in the first place.  Fiberboard is the latest technology to be used by one of Dayton’s local builders to keep the water out. This fiberboard is applied to the full length of the exterior basement wall prior to backfilling.

The fiberboard keeps the backfilled earth from directly contacting the foundation wall. It is very porous and thus provides a path or ‘channel’ for water to flow.  Imagine a heavy rain soaking the earth to a muddy mess against your home. Your foundation wall is in direct contact with this water soaked mud.This increases the chances of a leak as hydrostatic pressure builds and even fine settlement cracks or imperfections allow water in. Now, imagine the fiberboard providing separation between the mud and the wall and providing a porous path for the water to sink to the bottom of the wall where the footer drain can pick it up and carry it away. The hydrostatic pressure can’t accumulate and the wall is far less likely to leak in this scenario.   

This is a picture I took of fiberboard on a  new home in Bellbrook OH just prior to final grading covering it up. Once the grading and sod is done you’ll never know there is fiberboard installed. If you are looking for a top real estate agent in Bellbrook, Beavercreek, Kettering and the surrounding Dayton area please reach out, I’d be happy to help.