TERMINOLOGY
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure that any fluid in a confined space exerts. If fluid is in a container, there will be some pressure on the wall of that container. If we picture a column shaped container, we can see that the pressure pushing against its wall is greater at the bottom, than it will be at the top. This is partly related to the force of gravity.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a white crystalline or powdery, often fluffy/fuzzy deposit on the surface of masonry materials like concrete, brick, clay tile, etc. It's caused by water seeping through the wall/floor/object. The water dissolves salts inside the object while moving through it, and then evaporates leaving the salt on the surface.
Cinder Block
A pre-fabricated structural component constructed of concrete and cinders that is utilized to construct foundation walls, retaining walls, etc.
Footing
Poured concrete base upon which foundation walls, columns, or chimneys rest; usually has steel reinforcing bars.
Foundation Wall
Supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction or below grade.
Cold Joint
A cold joint is the intersection between the end of one concrete pour and the beginning of a new pour. The basic rule is to try to avoid cold joints by pouring straight through until the job is finished. The cold joint is a weak area and could allow the entry of water.
Erosion
The wearing away of land or soil by the action of wind, water, or ice.
Keyway
A joint between the footing and foundation wall.
Basement Floor Slab
The 4- or 5-inch layer of concrete that forms the basement floor.
Clay Soil
Soil, which is composed of very fine particles, usually silicates of aluminum and/or iron and magnesium. Clay soil impedes the flow of water, meaning it absorbs water slowly and then retains it for a long time. Wet clay soil is heavy and sticky, and tends to swell from the added moisture. When dry, clay soil shrinks and settles. The top layer can bake into a hard, concrete-like crust, which cracks.
Backfill
The replacement of excavated earth into a trench around or against a basement or crawlspace foundation wall.
Poured Concrete
Any concrete structure or slab that was poured and formed in a liquid state.
Mortar Joint
A brick being secured to another similar brick or bricks by means of mortar or grout.
Mold
Parasitic, microscopic fungi (like Penicillin) with spores that float in the air like pollen. Mold is a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom.
Mildew
A plant disease where the pathogen occurs as a growth on the host's surface.
Silt
Substrate particles smaller than sand and larger than clay.
Dry lock
Vapor Barrier for Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces
Water Seepage
Water oozed through a porous material or soil. The act or process of seeping; percolation.
Rust
Iron oxide that forms when exposed to oxygen and moisture.
Tar
A viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds that is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and used as a roofing, waterproofing.
Exterior Footing Drain
A tube or cylinder or box that is normally installed around the exterior perimeter of the foundation footings that collects and directs ground water away from the foundation of the house.
Ground Water
Groundwater is water that has drained through surface layers of soil and rock until it reaches a layer of rock material through which it cannot pass, or can pass only very slowly. This results in the accumulation of water in the rock layers above this impermeable layer. The water is stored in gaps in the rock, or between the particles of which the rock is composed.
Black Mold
Mold Exposure - Black Mold - Toxic Mold - People are exposed to mold through the air they breathe, contact with skin, and ingestion. Molds need moisture, a food source, time, and to be left undisturbed. Any source of moisture within an indoor environment can be a possible contributor to a mold problem and poor indoor air quality. It has been stated simply that the best mold control, is moisture control. Many molds given the right conditions have the potential to cause ill health effects in susceptible individuals.
Foundation
The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry.
Drain Tile
A perforated, corrugated plastic pipe laid at the bottom of the foundation wall and used to drain excess water away from the foundation. It prevents ground water from seeping through the foundation wall. Sometimes called perimeter drain.
Sump Pump
A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a sump pit. A sump pit, commonly found in the home basement, is simply a hole to collect water.
Water table
The level below which the ground is completely saturated with water. Also called water level.
Dry well
A hole in the ground filled with gravel or rubble to receive drainage water and allow it to percolate away.
Wall Crack
A thin and usually jagged space opened in a previously solid material.
Floor Crack
MASONRY FAILURES DUE TO VERTICAL SHEAR.
Undermining
To dig or wear away the base or foundation.
Excavation
To dig out and remove, as earth.
Water Leak
To let water or other fluid in or out through a hole, crevice, etc.
Acidic Soil
Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark, anything below 7 considered acidic and anything above 7 considered alkaline.