creating flow, creating barriers

on repairing foundations part 1

I’m currently repairing a foundation. It has cracks. Cracks will eventually lead to water. Water is a good friend of mine. It’s a good friend that is not welcome on my basement floor. In pipes, toilets, bath tubs and the like? I water is ok. But running free hydrostatically into my basement? I’m not a fan.

Call me a fascist, or an elemental supremist,¹ but I want my relationship with water to be largely one where I’m in charge. With this in mind, improvements to the drainage are taking place as well. I’m directing the water AWAY.

Water persists and insists. Water has patient power. Water always wins. Water, despite it’s power has it’s subsequent weakness. Water, in the right volume, can be directed, manipulated and controlled.

Water follows the path of least resistance. With that in mind, my approach is two fold: First, I’ll create a place for water to go, I’ll create a new path of least resistance. Next? By repairing the masonry and attaching a protective membrane, also known as a ‘fo…