Sealing of prefabricated waterproof basements
More often than not, state-of-the-art solid buildings sit on a prefabricated basement structure. Such basements made of reinforced concrete are somewhat more expensive, but they also bring about a number of benefits. Besides shortening construction time due to the delivery of precast elements to the job site, its greatest advantage is its extremely high level of structural stability, which is particularly necessary in the presence of a high groundwater table and pressing water.
The entire structure, including the basement floor, must be well-designed. A subsoil survey carried out at an early stage creates a high degree of reliability in the planning process. It provides information on the water conditions, the bearing capacity and other characteristics of the soil, and potential contaminations. The necessary waterproofing of the basement depends on the specified water exposure and utilization class.
Particularly in the presence of a high groundwater table, the most sustainable and safest option is referred to in German as “weisse Wanne” (roughly equivalent to “white tank”), in which both the foundation slab and the basement walls are made of water-impermeable concrete. This method results in a closed waterproof structure when combined with correctly executed details, such as construction and crack joints as well as windows and pipe penetrations.
It is highly advisable to consult a contractor specializing in this method for the design and construction of such a basement. Not only is the basement the foundation of the house – waterproofing defects can also have long-lasting and costly consequences. Waterproofing is one of the most error-prone components of new buildings, which is why additional on-site quality control makes perfect sense.
Warranty-supported complete solution tailored to customer needs
Roland Wolf GmbH offers the complete package with tailor-made solutions for waterproofing prefabricated basements, including design and installation, a ten-year warranty, and supervision on the construction site. Wolf manufactures its products in the German city of Ulm. The business is marketing its Wolfseal waterproofing system and Thepro DämmDichtSystem (insulation and sealing system) ranges, thus offering both conventional waterproofing products, such as the Wolfseal waterstop, and products including insulation, such as the Thepro DDS base waterproofing system. In addition, the range includes special solutions such as the Wolfseal profile for sealing the element joints in double walls.
Based on 40 years of experience in the waterproofing of structures, Roland Wolf GmbH will always identify the solution that best matches the project-specific requirements.
