So we are building a barn with a walk-out basement. I got a deal on some ICF blocks and have done the walls that will be below grade with them. I have the excavator coming next week and I am debating as to if I am going to waterproof the walls before we backfill. The ground is very dry and we had a lot of hard rain while the hole was dug and we had no standing water juts a short time later. We also have a floor drain in the basement of the barn. To save time and money I would like to get away without doing waterproofing. Any thoughts? Again, this is a barn where animals will live, not humans. The basement is well ventilated with 4 good sized windows and a sliding door. Thanks very much!

I dont think it is a good idea to put any structure below grade without waterproofing and french drains

Use 2 coats of Black Jack 57. It's cheap insurance and widely available.

Black Jack is okay to put on the foam foundation? Thank you for the reply!

It's latex. I use it under dimpled when I double bag a foundation, For your situation it's ideal. I never use peel and stick

Posted By JedArmstrong on 27 Jul 2015 11:19 AM
Black Jack is okay to put on the foam foundation?

According to their website, it specifically mentions application to foam board insulation for protection and damp proofing below grade.

http://www.gardner-gibson.com/produ...-9-30w

For animals and a bare slab (no walls, no bedding), I would think that a properly sloped slab and a floor drain would be enough.

For people and places with known water problems, I'd go much further, even considering interior perimeter floor drains (since they can be easier to clean out than footing drains).

You will need waterproofing membrane for anything the dirt touches. I would look at Windlock peel and stick membrane and dmx dimple board to help Cary the water down the wall surface.

Dustin - care to elaborate?

With the peel and stick it is an easy method to help keep water off the ICF and helps the water move away from the wall. This keeps the pressure of the water/dirt of the structure below grade. Most states require water proofing anything below grade. I find the peel my stick is easiest to apply to ICF walls and the dimple membrane allows the water to not stand but flow downwards to the bottom of the wall. It's an easy method with little cost. I like the performance of it and gives you piece of mind doing it. It's a win win.

It might be noted that barns do not fall under residential codes.

It might not be best to provide a downward path for surface water if there is no footing drain.

Both eps and concrete are rated for dirt contact.

Peel and stick tends to trap water to the concrete if there is no capping device at the top. And for sure if there is no outlet at the bottom.

depending on how you lay it out it could but I would take it all the way down past the footers put the dimple membrane on all the way pass the footers as well allowing the water to drain to the ground or drainage system in place. It's all on how you apply it. There are ways to not create that problem.

I would apply waterproofing but however you decided inevitably its your decision.

But your right barns don't fall under that code however could save from headache later on. Just an option to look at.