Should I seal the gap between my basement floor and wall?
In the short term, a sealant applied along this gap between your basement floor and wall may prevent leakage. However, it will eventually fail in one of two ways: #1. The water being blocked by the sealant will find another gap in your foundation to enter the home.
How much space should be between drywall and floor?
a 1/2-inch
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods.
What should I put between drywall and floor?
If you are installing drywall in a basement, leave a 1 inch gap between the floor and the drywall. It is also wise to add some type of waterproof filler material (such as plastic strips) between the floor and the drywall to help protect the drywall.
Can you caulk a basement floor?
Anything wider than ⅛-inch, however, should be sealed to keep moisture, soil smells, or even soil-borne gases (see section on radon gas below) from seeping through the basement floor. You can seal them yourself with an elastomeric caulking sealant (view example on Amazon) made for use on concrete and masonry.
How do you seal cracks between basement walls and floors?
Water that leaks through your basement floor usually gets there at the floor/wall joint or via cracks from the foundation/floor settling over time. Apply hydraulic cement to this joint to seal it. To fix a floor crack, open it up using a chisel and hammer.
How do you seal a gap between concrete and house?
Fill the crack with urethane caulk, similar to what you would use for driveway caulk. It works perfectly as a concrete expansion joint sealant. Snip the opening of the tube at a 30-degree angle, making the opening the same size as your gap.
Why is there a gap between the floor and drywall?
There should be a ½ inch to ⅜ inch thick gap between the sheet of drywall and the floor. This allows for natural expansion and contraction of the drywall after it’s screwed to the studs.
How far should drywall be from concrete floor?
Drywall should definitely not touch concrete as moisture will wick (ie flow up the surface as in a candle/lamp wick) into the drywall and encourage mold growth. 3/8″ should be sufficient – your prop up plan is not only appropriate, but a common technique used by drywallers.
What should I put between drywall and concrete?
The solution is covering concrete with a vapor barrier, which acts like a resistant cell membrane instead. With a shield in place, the drywall is safe. Typically, a stud wall is then installed against the concrete, but furring strips are quick, easy and take up less space.
Is crack in basement floor a problem?
Not only are basement floor cracks unattractive, they can also be signs of even bigger issues—foundation problems. If ignored, these problems can lead to weak foundation walls and a wet basement. Here’s what can happen if you neglect cracks in your basement floor.
Should I fill cracks in basement floor?
The good news is most basement floor cracks are normal and don’t need to be repaired. However, some cracks in the basement floor can let in water, moisture, and dangerous soil gasses (including radon).
Can you pour concrete against foundation?
Yes you will need boots, and get in the middle of it. When placing the concrete the edges are floated very close to the finished level, all around the edges. The pour will start from the farthest side, and the pour will proceed closer to the truck.
Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab?
For 4” concrete slabs used for driveways and patios, #3 rebar is common. Driveways that will support daily traffic by heavy trucks frequently use 1/2″ or #4 steel bar.
Do I need gravel under my concrete slab?
You do need gravel under a concrete slab, footing, or patio. Gravel provides a solid foundation for your concrete as it can be compacted. It also improves drainage, preventing water from pooling beneath the concrete.
Can you pour concrete next to concrete?
Sometimes, if the next section is scheduled in a different construction phase, months can pass before the nextion section is poured. And you can’t just pour two slabs next to each other and have them meet the structural requirements of your project; you must join the two concrete slabs in the proper way.
Can you put a thin layer of concrete over concrete?
Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.
How thick does a concrete overlay have to be?
The recommended thickness of a concrete overlay should be between 1 and 2 inches. Some people will even go to ¼ of an inch in thickness, which is still sufficient depending on your needs. If you place a 2-inch overlay, you need a very rough surface on the existing slab. Ensure the surface is rough enough.
What are dowels in concrete?
Dowels are placed in transversal contraction or construction joints of concrete pavements and help to transfer loading between individual slabs. Dowels allow horizontal movement of slabs during contraction in the time period after laying the concrete pavement and at temperature changes.
What is the minimum dowel spacing?
12 inches
The cages perform no function other than initial alignment assistance. Dowel bars are typically 32 to 38 mm (1.25 to 1.5 inches) in diameter, 460 mm (18 inches) long and spaced 305 mm (12 inches) apart.
Should I dowel concrete?
Properly installed dowel bars are a vital part of the joint between two concrete pavement slabs. They allow freedom of movement in an otherwise rigid pavement structure, while also maintaining the essential connection of the pavement.
