Glossary

---

Material used to fill in an excavation.  [TOP]

Concrete or plastic pipe that is installed through the footing or foundation wall to allow transfer of water from the exterior drain tile to the interior drain tile. [TOP]

Concrete masonry unit used in basement wall construction. The concrete blocks are stacked with alternating vertical joints using mortar between the joints to hold the block together. [TOP] 

Aluminum or galvanized steel pipe that directs water collected in the rain gutters down to the ground and away from the building.  [TOP] 

Concrete or plastic perforated pipe used underground to collect water and direct it to the sump crock. Exterior drain tile is placed on the outside of the building at the elevation of, or on top of the footing, consistent with existing conditions. Interior drain tile is placed around the inside perimeter of the building just below the floor slab. Drain tile is encased in clear aggregate to allow for water drainage to the pipe. [TOP]

White mineral deposits showing on the face of masonry due to water leaching through the masonry to the dry surface.  [TOP]

Expansive soils contain minerals that are capable of absorbing water, which enables the soils to increase in volume. Expansions of 10 percent or more are common. This change in volume can exert force on a building or other structure causing substantial damage.   [TOP]

Reference to the pitch of the exterior ground surface adjacent to the building.  [TOP] 

Usually associated with bowing or displacement of masonry walls that are not plumb vertically and/or horizontally. [TOP]

Instrument used for measuring the plane of a vertical or horizontal surface.  [TOP]

Storm-water discharge valve typically located in the side wall of the floor drain, designed to prevent back-flow of sanitary sewer into storm-water system.  [TOP]

A projection of masonry or a filled cell area of masonry for the purpose of bearing concentrated loads or to stiffen the wall against lateral forces. [TOP]

Tool for measuring deflection consisting of a weight and string. The string is attached at the top of the wall and the weight is at the end of the string located near the floor providing a straight vertical reference line. Measurements are taken from the string to the wall to determine the amount of horizontal deflection in the wall. [TOP] 

Solid concrete walls that are constructed by setting concrete wall forms, installing steel reinforcing bars and pouring concrete into the forms to create a wall.  [TOP] 

Odorless and colorless slightly radioactive gas that can seep into basements through floor or wall cracks. At certain concentrations Radon Gas is considered a health hazard. For more information on Radon Gas, refer to www.epa.gov/radon.  [TOP]  

Water infiltration through masonry walls or floor slab. Seepage is evidenced by damp or wet masonry walls or concrete floor and is an indication that the basement drainage system is overloaded or not functioning correctly. [TOP]

Wall reinforcing used to prevent further movement in basement walls. Steel beams are typically composed of steel tubes placed vertically against the basement walls at a 32” or 48” spacing.  [TOP] 

Cracks in masonry walls that follow the vertical and horizontal joints in the masonry in a stepped fashion. Step cracks can be due to horizontal wall deflection, foundation settlement or shrinkage of concrete masonry.  [TOP]

Clear crushed aggregate ¾” to 1” diameter used to backfill excavations. Stone backfill allows for water to migrate easily towards the drain tile located at the basement footing elevation. Additionally, stone backfill will have minimal settlement around the perimeter of the building after backfilling.  [TOP]

Concrete, steel or plastic basin placed below the floor slab in the lowest area of the building for collecting water from drain tile. Top rim to extend minimum 1” above floor.   [TOP] 

Submersible or upright pump located in sump crock to pump water out and away from the building.  [TOP]

Term used for the repair of cracks that occur in the joints in masonry walls. Tuckpointing involves the removal and replacement of the mortar between masonry units where cracking along the joints has occurred. [TOP] 

 One piece corrugated or ribbed plastic panel that is placed to form an angle on top of the wall footing and against the masonry wall. The panel extends a minimum of 1” above the floor slab elevation. The wall drainage board is used to drain water from the cores of concrete masonry walls to the interior drain tile. [TOP] 

The amount of horizontal movement in a basement wall at any given location with respect to its vertical plane. [TOP]

 Masonry wall corners or areas in the wall that have thickened sections. Example of wall irregularities include foundations for masonry fireplaces and wall pilasters. [TOP]

 Horizontal movement of basement wall, usually occurring at the bottom section of the wall. [TOP]