How To Build A Home

step 6 Install Window Wells, Foundation Vapor Barrier Tar

Window area wells are used to allow windows to be installed on the foundation walls, below the finished grade of the dirt around a home. Area wells keep the dirt away from the window and still allow daylight to enter the basement as well as provide a way for people to get out of the basement during emergencies.

Tar is installed on the outside of foundation walls to prevent moisture from entering soaking into the concrete and reducing dampness in the basement. There are several methods of installing vapor barriers, some provide channels for water to flow thru down to the footing and into a pipe which carries the water away from the basement.

Window area wells and the tar vapor barrier must be installed before back filling the foundation.

what else happens on this day

1. The underground plumbing is installed

This is a window area well attached to the foundation wall, you can see the black tar vapor barrier on the concrete wall.

This is the window area well attachement to the concrete. It is attached with powder actuated nails, nails shot on with a gun powder shot.

related articles

• How To Build A Home (this page has links to all the other steps in building a home)
• Egress Windows: What, Why, and How describes window area well code requirements