While there are several ways to build a basement, most modern basements are either cement blocks stacked on top of each other and held together with mortar or poured-wall also using concrete but poured in a mold to form the walls.
Block wall is charactorized by it's checkerboard pattern while poured walls have a smooth finish.
Both walls are built starting with a concrete footing (usually 12" x 12"), after this has been poured around the perimeter, the wall is constructed on top of it. The last step is to pour the floor.
Block walls will leak when:
Mortar is exposed to water for long periods of time
Structure settles creating cracks
Damage from outside such as roots or bad drainage
Hollow cores fill with water from improper drainage
Water works it's way around the footing
Walls are backfilled too soon when new
Poured walls will leak when:
Metal tie-rods left in concrete rust through
Structure settles creating cracks
Damage from outside such as roots or bad drainage
Water works it's way around the footing
Applications Include
Residential Basements
Underground Garages and Storage Facilities
Garden Level Apartments & Condo's
Retaining Walls
Pond Linings
