We have an unfinished basement. The top part of the wall is isolated from the ground by some sort of cardboard. This is not cardboard used for shipping boxes (which is corrugated), but is pretty much the same cardboard as found in hardcover books (at least older), but just pretty thick (3.5mm), dense and it seems to have some element-resistant features. One of such pieces was damaged by an animal while ago so I am looking for a piece to repair, but surprisingly, such material does not seem to be widely used. I checked in several Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware stores and nobody carry anything like that. Worst, nobody knows how it is exactly called. They sell Concrete Form Tubes, made from pretty much same material. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Construction cardboard?
- Thread starter serge1966
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Are you saying this product separates the concrete basement walls from the bottom plate of the wooden framed walls?
Google sill sealer or sill gasket and take a look at the photos that pop up and see if that helps.
If that is the problem it is not something that can be easily replaced or patched as the house sits on top of it. You may want to use a calking product to seal it up.
Google sill sealer or sill gasket and take a look at the photos that pop up and see if that helps.
If that is the problem it is not something that can be easily replaced or patched as the house sits on top of it. You may want to use a calking product to seal it up.
This is how it looks from the crawling space of the basement. You can see a small part of concrete piece of the porch showing right above the hole in the middle of the picture. You can see the cardboard covering the rest of the porch part at the top. The hole is where that cardboard was before it was damaged by a ground hog. If I open adjacent insulated areas, there are no holes and the cardboard is intact, going from top to the bottom.
My guess is it is a Fiber Expansion Joint Filler material sold in sheet form.
It could have been part of the forming for the basement walls and extended above the wall height and just left there. I wouldn’t think it should be below grade holding back the soil and the poured patio on top. I wonder if the grade was brought up after construction to pour the slab and that’s how it got this way.
I have never seen this before maybe others here will have a comment. It doesn’t look proper to me. Not sure what the fix would be without cutting the slab back and removing the soil and doing something different from the outside. In short term I would fill the hole with some metal flashing to keep the critters out
It could have been part of the forming for the basement walls and extended above the wall height and just left there. I wouldn’t think it should be below grade holding back the soil and the poured patio on top. I wonder if the grade was brought up after construction to pour the slab and that’s how it got this way.
I have never seen this before maybe others here will have a comment. It doesn’t look proper to me. Not sure what the fix would be without cutting the slab back and removing the soil and doing something different from the outside. In short term I would fill the hole with some metal flashing to keep the critters out
BrutusMagnus
New Member
I haven't encountered that specific cardboard-like material, but getting advice from a professional contractor could be helpful. They're often familiar with a wide range of construction materials and might guide you on the right type and where to source it. Another avenue to explore is checking with local building supply specialists or building companies. Sometimes, they carry a broader variety of materials compared to big-box stores. You could describe the material and its purpose to see if they have a match or a suitable alternative. Good luck with the repair!
If your home was built in the 1910's through 80's. there is a good chance that the material is made from wax vacuum impregnated into a heavy sheet made of pressed paper fibers.
I apologize, but I can't remember any trade names. GP was one manufacturer.
It kept moisture from reaching the block or concrete, but it wasn't easy to seal the joints. Sometimes, the wall would be coated with bitumen or tar where joints would land. Next, the boards were pressed into it. Then the space was backfilled quickly, as this didn't adhere well to the bitumen.
We used it extensively at work between high voltage switchgear and potentially damp walls. Animals do eat it, especially the older product (natural wax, not paraffin like on the newer stuff). They also shred it for nest making.
It was very popular for isolating concrete forms from the slurry, too.
Like you mentioned, it's made similarly to Sonotubes.
An alternative for you might be something like Dry-Up's Dimple Board. Many brands exist at various widths and lengths.
Paul
I apologize, but I can't remember any trade names. GP was one manufacturer.
It kept moisture from reaching the block or concrete, but it wasn't easy to seal the joints. Sometimes, the wall would be coated with bitumen or tar where joints would land. Next, the boards were pressed into it. Then the space was backfilled quickly, as this didn't adhere well to the bitumen.
We used it extensively at work between high voltage switchgear and potentially damp walls. Animals do eat it, especially the older product (natural wax, not paraffin like on the newer stuff). They also shred it for nest making.
It was very popular for isolating concrete forms from the slurry, too.
Like you mentioned, it's made similarly to Sonotubes.
An alternative for you might be something like Dry-Up's Dimple Board. Many brands exist at various widths and lengths.
Paul
If I am seeing that correctly, You have a concrete foundation wall, and engineered joists on top of the wall.
Grade level would have to be lower than that opening.
The material you are looking for clearly is not rodent-proof, and even if you could find it, I don't see how you could get it in there.
One possibility is to rip 2X wood or plywood to the gap between the joists and fasten it to the joists with PL Premium.
I would have thought there should have been a rim joist behind the joists. And sheathing above that if there is additional height.
Grade level would have to be lower than that opening.
The material you are looking for clearly is not rodent-proof, and even if you could find it, I don't see how you could get it in there.
One possibility is to rip 2X wood or plywood to the gap between the joists and fasten it to the joists with PL Premium.
I would have thought there should have been a rim joist behind the joists. And sheathing above that if there is additional height.
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slownsteady
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure that identifying the old material is too important. After all, it didn't stop animals before, so I wouldn't want to try it again.
BrutusMagnus
New Member
I think that seeking advice from a professional contractor is indeed a wise move when dealing with unfamiliar construction materials.
No matter which product you choose, perhaps a piece of aluminum flashing over it will stop the animals from chewing. Siding suppliers have rolls of it 24" wide and sometimes wider. Home centers also sell it, but I don't think it's wide.
It can be cut by scoring with a razor knife, then snapped. (Or heavy scissors)
Mastercarpenty
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It might be what is on my non-walkable 1994 camper roof, which is called "Bud board", essentially what the OP described- just very thick non-corrugated cardboard. In my case it was used as a cheaper alternative to 3/8" plywood. There is (or was) available "Celotex" in various thicknesses, often used as house wall sheathing under brick which might be easier to source It's a lot more waterproof but less sturdy.
