Hi,
Hope somebody can help me out. I would like to use ice and water shield as a capillary break between the footer and the CMUs. I am in the western NC mountains and the building inspector does not like the idea of anything besides mortar on top of the footer.
This is for basement walls and the walls are engineered steel reinforced walls. The mortar contribution to tensile strength has been ignored as the steel is much much stronger.
The inspector might let me use the ice and water shield based on my engineers approval but he also wants an ICC ESR for the product.
Can anyone point me toward a product that has an ICC ESR for the use of a capillary break? Even if it isn’t the same product I would really like to have this in my build to avoid moisture issues.
Thanks,
Doug
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.
Featured Video
Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With ViewrailHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
What, besides gravity, connects your walls to the footing?
Rebar, from footer to top of wall, all cells filled with concrete
Throw some reinforcements in the mortar
there is joint #9 reinforcement in the mortar beds 16" on center
You could try checking out Grace Ice & Water Shield. They might have the ICC ESR approval you're looking for. It's smart to want to avoid moisture issues in your build, especially in a place like western NC with its climate.
Try this article from Green Building Advisor that provides products to use for your specific application.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/capillary-break-at-the-footing