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Capillary Break at Footer

dougjl | Posted in Building Code Questions on

Hi,
Hope somebody can help me out. I would like to use ice and water shield as a capillary break between the footer and the CMUs. I am in the western NC mountains and the building inspector does not like the idea of anything besides mortar on top of the footer. 
This is for basement walls and the walls are engineered steel reinforced walls. The mortar contribution to tensile strength has been ignored as the steel is much much stronger.
The inspector might let me use the ice and water shield based on my engineers approval but he also wants an ICC ESR for the product.
Can anyone point me toward a product that has an ICC ESR for the use of a capillary break?  Even if it isn’t the same product I would really like to have this in my build to avoid moisture issues.
Thanks,
Doug

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Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #1

    In this article https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/capillary-breaks-above-footings, on of the commenters says this product is ICC tested: https://www.decoproducts.com/

    In my experience, code enforcement officers will accept a licensed engineer's approval as it takes the liability off them. But I'm sure there are exceptions.

  2. UtahBuild | | #2

    I used this product on our footers. House isn't done yet, so too early to tell its efficacy, but if the inspector insists on a mortar type product that's what this is.

    https://www.amazon.com/MasterSeal-583-Formerly-Super-Thoroseal/dp/B000BO9U8S

    I believe it's also mentioned in the article Mr. Maines linked above under its former name "Super Thoroseal".

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