When it comes to waterproofing your home and protecting it from the elements, there are several important steps to take.  In the past I’ve spoken a lot about what to do on the inside of your home, but what’s even more important is the first step – protecting the foundation.

What is Foundation Wrap?

One of the most critical parts of any home is the foundation, and protecting it from water is non-negotiable. In order to do that you need a foundation wrap.  Simply put, foundation wrap acts as a waterproof barrier, keeping water from getting into your home through the foundation. And – I cannot stress this enough – it’s imperative that you use the right foundation wrap in order to ensure that the inside of your home is well protected from what’s outside.

How Does Foundation Wrap Work?

I, and most of the biggest home builders across Canada, use DMX AG, which is a dimpled plastic membrane that gets wrapped around the exterior foundation. The dimples in the foundation wrap create an air gap to help protect the home against hydrostatic pressure, which is the water that’s trying to get through. Once the foundation wrap is on it will redirect all the water to the weepers and away from the home. This will ensure that nothing seeps through into your basement.

How is Foundation Wrap Installed?

The plastic sheet gets rolled out and installed all the way around the home’s foundation. DMX has a thick tab that holds the membrane securely on the wall, so when fastened, it won’t be susceptible to caving in and collapsing once the backfill starts to settle.  This is very important because heavy soils are capable of pulling certain foundation wraps down from the wall if they are not properly installed. With DMX AG, asphalt caulking or mastic behind the tab provides a watertight seal. Washers are then installed about 6”-8” apart along the tab.

To finish up, washers are added to seal the ends anywhere that there is overlap of the plastic membrane. Then more washers are placed across the body, spaced 24”-48” apart. Check out this video to see it in action.

While installing foundation wrap is certainly not a DIY job, speak to your builder or contractor to make sure your foundation is properly wrapped and protected with the right materials. This will give you peace of mind so that you can relax and be sure that the inside of your home is well protected.

For more information please visit DMXmembranes.com