FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Footer/Waterproofing Question

| Posted in General Discussion on October 19, 1999 10:36am

*
To all basement and foundation experts:

I am waterproofing a wall that leaked a considerable amount during
Floyd. The lot is sloping front to back, with the front part of the
side wall with about 6′ of clay dirt covering it, and this slopes down
to 1 ft of dirt right beside my garage door about 15′ down the wall.
(ie over 15ft the level drops 5ft)

I have dug the wall out to the corner and discovered that the footer
is about 2′ above the level of the basement floor near the corner of
the house for about 10′ Then the footer drops 2′ to the level of the
basment floor. A poured concrete 2′ knee wall in the basement next to
the wall holds back the dirt under the footer.

Can I excavate below the level of the higher section footer on the
outside, in order to help prevent water from going under the footer
and into the retaining knee wall inside ?

I know I shouldn’t get too close to the footer so as not to undercut
it. Is 12 inches enough ?

My thought was to dig down to the level of the slab, lay a perforated
drain pipe in a bed of gravel, and waterproof the exposed section of
wall.

Is this a good plan, or should I stop where the footer does and live
with the leaks through the knee wall ?

Thanks in advance,
Randy

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Guest_ | Oct 15, 1999 03:44pm | #1

    *
    is there another footer under that poured wall thing? to the drain question- tile at the side and near the bottom of the footer. cover w/landscape fabric to keep out the fine clay and backfill w' only stone all the way up. waterproof the wall. i have the rigid fibreglass 2'' panels from grade down to the top of the footer w/ blackjack on the parged block wall and have had nooooo leaks or moisture or mildew on interior in 11 yrs. hillside house in clay. no gutters. no problems yet. best of luck to ya

    1. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 04:47am | #2

      *rgalley:Re: "I know I shouldn't get too close to the footer so as not to undercut it. Is 12 inches enough?" The pressure applied by the footer to soil beneith the footer spreads out at approximately a 45 degree angle. In other words, for illustration purposes, if the footer is 1 foot wide the width of the soil bearing the pressure 1 foot below the bottom of the footer is 2 feet wide. Or, assuming very firm soil, if you want to dig a 2' deep trench beside a footer, stay 2' away from the footer .

  2. Ted_LaRue_ | Oct 16, 1999 08:50am | #3

    *
    > "In other words, for illustration purposes, if the footer is 1 foot wide the width of the soil bearing the pressure 1 foot below the bottom of the footer is 2 feet wide."

    Minor correction...you mean 3 feet wide (one
    foot on each side plus the 1 foot wide footer).

  3. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 09:32am | #4

    *
    Woops!!

    I stand corrected.

  4. Randy_Alley | Oct 19, 1999 09:51pm | #5

    *
    Well I dug a little more and found out the acutal situation.
    The retaining wall is supporting the footer after all.
    The basement was dug out 2 ft below the footer, and the wall supports the footer. What confused me is that the basement is level with the footer at first, and they had thrown some leftover concrete in the trench, confusing matters.

    Anyway, I've got the answer now I think. I can dig below, but I need to be far enough out to do so. I'll project 45 degrees out from the edge footer and not violate that.
    One foot down, one foot over. Two feet down, two feet over.

    My trench is getting wider ;>{.

    Is the 2in rigid fiberglass imbedded in the asphalt goo, or simply placed next to it ?

    Would heavy mil plastic do as a substitute ?

    Also, is the corrugated black plastic stuff, with a nylon silt sock ok ? This will be surrounded by gravel, and gravel up the wall.

    1. Randy_Alley | Oct 19, 1999 10:36pm | #6

      *I forgot to say thanks a lot for the good ideas.Thanks a lot !Randy

  5. rgalley | Oct 19, 1999 10:36pm | #7

    *
    To all basement and foundation experts:

    I am waterproofing a wall that leaked a considerable amount during
    Floyd. The lot is sloping front to back, with the front part of the
    side wall with about 6' of clay dirt covering it, and this slopes down
    to 1 ft of dirt right beside my garage door about 15' down the wall.
    (ie over 15ft the level drops 5ft)

    I have dug the wall out to the corner and discovered that the footer
    is about 2' above the level of the basement floor near the corner of
    the house for about 10' Then the footer drops 2' to the level of the
    basment floor. A poured concrete 2' knee wall in the basement next to
    the wall holds back the dirt under the footer.

    Can I excavate below the level of the higher section footer on the
    outside, in order to help prevent water from going under the footer
    and into the retaining knee wall inside ?

    I know I shouldn't get too close to the footer so as not to undercut
    it. Is 12 inches enough ?

    My thought was to dig down to the level of the slab, lay a perforated
    drain pipe in a bed of gravel, and waterproof the exposed section of
    wall.

    Is this a good plan, or should I stop where the footer does and live
    with the leaks through the knee wall ?

    Thanks in advance,
    Randy

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Installing Prefinished Cabinet Molding

Use these assembly techniques when installing crown risers and molding to minimize visible gaps and nail holes.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • A Practical Approach to Exterior Insulation

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"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.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • 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
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data