Building performance specialist Anthony Grisolia describes the asphalt membrane that is applied to the footer to protect it from moisture. Guest Tom Cullivan will explain the Tuff-N-Dri® Basement Waterproofing System and the Warm-N-Dri® insulation board that is used on the Oberg home.

The best way to prevent your home from structural damage is to keep the moisture to a minimum. The danger from water is damage such as wood rot and mold and mildew, which can also cause health problems.

Builders are using new techniques to protect the foundation from moisture. As mentioned in the last episode (DHIQ-102), one way is to spray an asphalt membrane on the footer, which breaks the two porous materials from capillary action, which means water will rise up through the footer to the block and "not" down into the basement. This will help in preventing mold and mildew or rotting of any kind. This system is called "Tuff-N-Dri® Waterproofing System (see Resources, below, for more information). This asphalt membrane is also sprayed on any wall that you want to protect. The membrane actually expands as the wall does to fill those cracks where moisture can penetrate.

On top of the asphalt membrane goes an insulation board called "Warm-N-Dri® Foundation Board" that provides backfill protection, insulation and drainage. This board also helps keep the temperatures from outside and inside the home from meeting. If the cold temperature from the outside meets the warm temperature inside, condensation will occur.

Remember that the foundation is the backbone of the home. It needs a surveyor to figure out its placement, a solid footer to rest on, an experienced mason to lay the block and a well-designed waterproofing system to help prevent mold and mildew.