QuestionQUESTION: We are planning on filling our sunken yard area in with dirt to create a Mexican courtyard. On one side the fill will be placed next to a 3' concrete foundation which has been stuccoed with elastomeric Sto. Above this foundation we plan to cover an addition two feet on a Sto covered exterior wall. Do we need to add some kind of waterproofing barrier on the existing wall before we add the dirt. The area adjacent to the wall will have a raised deck made of Trex possibly but the fill will still be needed as the previous owners dug out a large 60' x 40' area more than 6 feet below the level of the house floor.
Thank you.
Lois
ANSWER: If the dirt or soil that you place against the wall will be within 8" or above the finished floor of your home on the other side of that wall then I would advise you to have a professional evaluate the wall and design a specific waterproofing system to protect the interior portions of your home. If the space on the other side of the wall is a crawl space or basement which is not finished then I would be less concerned.
Good Luck
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your replay and advise. We have had three or four contractors come by but each one seems to have a difference idea.
We have been told by some people that the Sto-flex covering the stucco is a water barrier but when I research on the internet I am told not to use below grade. Others have told us to cover the Sto exterior with tar and another contractor recommended a product called "Storm Guard" which is reported to be impervious to water and comes in rolls 36" by 62' and is self adhesive and then we seal the top edge. this product is used on roofing. This wall is covered by a 3.5 foot porch roof and will never be directly watered for a garden, etc. The area extending out from the wall for a minimum of 6' will be either a wood or trex deck or a concrete patio. We are just concerned about moisture from the center of the courtyard spreading through the fill under the deck to the stuccoed wall. We are fearful of leaving the 2 feet between the concrete block foundation and the deck height unfilled as it can become a nesting place for rattle snakes and rodents, which are plentiful in the New Mexico desert. What do you think?
Again, thank you.
Lois
Answer I'm not to worried about critters, but everyone is different. I'm not an expert in waterproofing or your local soils. I would consult a local architect. Sorry I can not help more than that.
More...
I am a little disappointed by your score of my knowledge. As I answered your landscape related questions and told you not to fill against your walls without waterproofing. Remember this is the landscape category. You are now in follow up asking me to answer questions on the merits of particular architectural waterproofing. I have no knowledge or first hand understanding of your home's specific construction, that materials the walls are composed of or the specific drainage patterns under your deck. My knowledge is on landscaping not on the merits or reliability of specific waterproofing products. It would be unwise for me to offer any advice on this issue without detailed info on yours homes construction and a site visit.
Please be aware that this is a web site, we have no photos to review, have not visited your site, and we are not based in your state or city.
I hope you will consider my advice and contact a local expert in waterproofing. Perhaps an architect or do more research on waterproofing yourself. There are MANY MANY Types and each is suitable for different applications on different surface and only appropriate for different environmental factors.
Best of luck to you.
Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com
