Chapter 27 Further Reading: Foundation Waterproofing

Books and Guides

1. "Moisture Control Handbook" — Joseph Lstiburek and John Carmody (ORNL, Building Science Corporation) The definitive technical reference on moisture management in buildings, covering vapor control, drainage planes, and foundation waterproofing from a building science perspective. More technical than a homeowner guide but invaluable for understanding the physics behind why certain approaches work. Available free as a government document from the Building Science Corporation website (buildingscience.com). Lstiburek is the most cited building scientist in North America; his writing is unusually clear for the technical level.

2. "The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects" — Black & Decker editors (Cool Springs Press) Practical guidance on grading, drainage swales, French drains, and hardscape drainage — the exterior drainage work that resolves many basement moisture problems without any basement work at all. Well-photographed and genuinely useful for homeowners tackling drainage improvements themselves.

3. "Renovating Old Houses" — George Nash (Taunton Press) An unusually honest guide to older-home renovation, with substantial coverage of foundation repair, drainage, and basement waterproofing in the context of historic and pre-war construction. Particularly useful for homeowners with fieldstone foundations, stone and mortar construction, or pre-1940 foundations that behave differently from modern poured concrete.

Online Resources

4. Building Science Corporation — buildingscience.com The research and education organization founded by Joseph Lstiburek, with an extensive free library of reports, guides, and articles on moisture management, foundation performance, and crawlspace encapsulation. The "Building America Guides" on crawlspace and basement moisture are particularly relevant. Scientifically rigorous, peer-reviewed content — a significant step above contractor-published "guides."

5. EPA Mold Resources — epa.gov/mold The Environmental Protection Agency's public guidance on mold in homes, including the relationship between moisture and mold growth, health effects, and guidance on when professional remediation is needed versus DIY cleanup. The EPA's threshold for professional remediation (mold in areas larger than 10 sq ft) is a useful benchmark, though many professionals recommend even smaller areas be handled professionally in living spaces.

6. USDA Web Soil Survey — websoilsurvey.usda.gov Free access to soil series data for any location in the United States. Useful for understanding the drainage characteristics of your soil, seasonal water table depth, and shrink-swell potential — all relevant to basement water risk. Requires some interpretation but the interface is accessible and the data is authoritative.

Standards and Codes

7. International Residential Code (IRC) — Chapter R405 (Foundation Drainage) The model building code covering drainage requirements for new construction, including requirements for footing drains, drainage fills, and vapor retarders. Available through the International Code Council (iccsafe.org). Useful as a reference for what your local code likely requires and for evaluating whether existing construction meets standards.

8. ASTM F1869: Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride The industry-standard test method for measuring concrete slab moisture vapor emission — relevant when evaluating concrete floors for finish flooring installations. Available through ASTM (astm.org). Not light reading, but understanding the test methodology helps you interpret lab results from flooring installers or contractors.

Video and Interactive Resources

9. This Old House — Basement Waterproofing Series (thisoldhouse.com) The long-running home improvement program has covered basement waterproofing in multiple episodes with both contractor and DIY perspectives. The online video archive is searchable and provides visual demonstrations that complement the written guidance in this chapter. Particularly useful for visualizing exterior excavation and interior drainage installation processes.

10. Basement Systems / WaterproofingAdvisor.com A resource maintained by a waterproofing contractor network that nonetheless contains useful educational content on drainage systems, sump pumps, and the distinctions between interior and exterior approaches. Read critically — it has a perspective — but the explanatory content on how specific systems work is accurate and well-illustrated.

Consumer Protection Resources

11. Better Business Bureau — bbb.org Search contractor names and company history before signing any waterproofing contract. The complaint history for waterproofing contractors in many regions reflects the industry's high-pressure sales patterns. A company with multiple unresolved complaints about misrepresentation or warranty non-fulfillment is a warning sign that matters.

12. National Waterproofing & Structural Repair Association (NAWSDA) and Basement Health Association (BHA) Industry trade associations that maintain contractor member directories and some minimum standards. Membership isn't a guarantee of quality but does provide some accountability structure. Check whether a prospective contractor is a member, and compare to local contractor licensing requirements in your jurisdiction.