Detecting foundation leaks.

Feb 04, 2005 4 Replies

I like in NH, and yes, it is cold this time of year. I have a house with a rock foundation, and there are some strong drafts coming through the walls.


From the outside, the foundation seems solid, but of course, I know it

is not. Is there some way to find the leaky areas from the outside? (Part of the foundation is not accessable from the inside, but I can feel drafts coming from that area... )


Thanks for any advice you can give...

I am nowhere near an expert, but I feel pretty certain that you could hire someone with an infra-red camera to do thermal imaging. The "open" areas should show up quite clearly.

Perhaps a home >I like in NH, and yes, it is cold this time of year. I have a house

I am nowhere near an expert, but I feel pretty certain that you could hire someone with an infra-red camera to do thermal imaging. The "open" areas should show up quite clearly.

Perhaps a home >I like in NH, and yes, it is cold this time of year. I have a house

Best is a blower door test, they will pinpoint every leak in your house and give you its air exchange rating. Then you know what and where to seal.

Most likely you have some major gaps where the sill meets the foundation. [and where any pipes or wires penetrate the foundation]

A simple way to spot a lot of them is to light up the basement at night and check the perimeter from the outside.

Then darken the windows in the daytime & check the perimeter from the inside.

This won't find them all, as air travels around things that absorb light, but it will show you the big ones.

I covered my old stone foundation down to a couple feet below grade with 2" styrofoam. Then I covered it with wire-mesh & a couple parge coats. Not as nice as the walls that were replaced when they collapsed last summer, but it is draft-free at least.

Jim

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