Still, I always wonder—where do you draw the line? Like, is there a point where it’s just overkill, or do you think every little detail is worth the splurge?
- For me, it’s about risk vs. reward. If skipping something means a real chance of future damage (like waterproofing), I’ll spend the money.
- Stuff like fancy vapor barriers or “premium” rebar? I’m not convinced unless there’s a clear benefit.
- I’ve learned the hard way that some “invisible” upgrades are just upsells. Gotta weigh the cost against actual peace of mind.
- I’d rather patch drywall than rip up a foundation, though... so I guess some things are worth the splurge.
Funny you mention “premium” rebar. When I built my patio, the contractor tried to upsell me on it, but I stuck with standard and haven’t noticed a difference. But waterproofing? Yeah, that’s not where I’d cut corners. Some things just aren’t worth gambling on.
I get what you mean about not splurging on “premium” rebar. I did the same—standard all the way, and my slab’s holding up fine. But with waterproofing, I’ve heard horror stories about leaks ruining basements. Did you go with a membrane or just sealant?
Title: My Adventure With DIY Concrete Foundations
I hear you on the rebar—no need to get fancy there, as long as you’re meeting code. My inspector even rolled his eyes when I asked about the “premium” stuff. But waterproofing, that’s a whole different beast. I’ve seen what happens when folks cut corners there. My neighbor’s basement turned into a swimming pool after a heavy rain a few years back. Not pretty.
When I did mine, I went with a full membrane system. It wasn’t cheap, but I figured it’s one of those things you only want to do once. I used a peel-and-stick membrane on the outside, then added a dimple board for drainage. Overkill? Maybe, but I sleep better when it pours. I did try a basic sealant on a shed slab once, and it was fine for that, but I wouldn’t trust just a roll-on product for a basement. Too many variables—soil, water table, even how well you backfill.
Funny thing, the guy at the supply store tried to talk me into just using a thick coat of tar. Said he’d done it for years. Maybe it works in some places, but I didn’t want to risk it. I guess it comes down to how much you’re willing to gamble. For me, a little extra upfront was worth not having to rip out drywall down the line.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with just a sealant, though. Maybe I’m just paranoid after seeing that neighbor’s mess...
I’ve actually wrestled with this exact dilemma on a couple of projects. On my current place, I went the membrane-and-dimple-board route too—costly, but I just couldn’t bring myself to trust a basic sealant for a full basement. I’ve seen too many high-end homes with water issues because someone tried to save a few bucks at this stage.
That said, I did once use a high-quality roll-on waterproofing product for a detached garage foundation. The soil there was sandy and drained well, and it’s held up for years. But I wouldn’t risk it below grade in a living space, especially not with a finished basement. There’s just too much at stake if you get it wrong—mold remediation, ruined finishes, the whole nine yards.
I do wonder if some of the newer liquid-applied membranes are closing the gap, but for now, I’d rather overbuild than underbuild. Peace of mind is hard to put a price on, especially when you’re talking about your own home.
