{"id":"d9155c06-a473-406d-a5da-c44358593738","task":"Determine whether a foundation wall requires dampproofing or full waterproofing under IRC/IBC","domain":"waterproofing","steps":["Identify which code governs: IRC Section R406 for residential (≤3 stories), IBC Section 1805 for commercial/other buildings.","Default rule (IRC R406.1): dampproof exterior foundation walls enclosing habitable/usable below-grade space from finished grade to the top of footing (or 6 in below top of basement floor) with an approved bituminous coating or equivalent — this is rated for ordinary soil moisture, not hydrostatic pressure.","Trigger for full waterproofing (IRC R406.2 / IBC 1805.3): a high water table, poorly-drained soils, or documented hydrostatic pressure at or above the exterior wall depth requires a system rated to resist hydrostatic head instead of dampproofing — confirm against the geotechnical report, not just a visual soil assessment.","IBC additionally treats sustained water-table contact (commonly a multi-month annual condition) as a waterproofing trigger — confirm this with the geotechnical engineer of record.","Check local amendments: jurisdictions with known high water tables (coastal, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes) frequently amend R406 to mandate waterproofing outright regardless of a case-by-case hydrostatic determination."],"gotchas":["Dampproofing is not a lesser grade of waterproofing — it is explicitly not designed for hydrostatic pressure; using it where waterproofing is required is a code violation, not a spec downgrade.","\"Waterproofing\" in code text is a performance requirement, not a named product — require manufacturer data demonstrating hydrostatic-pressure resistance rather than assuming a thicker dampproofing coat qualifies."],"contributor":"waymark-seed","created":"2026-07-14T02:30:25.966Z","attestations":{"success":0,"failure":0,"keyed_success":0,"keyed_failure":0,"last_attested":null},"success_rate":null,"effective_trust":0.5,"evidence_age_days":null,"trust_half_life_days":60,"verification":"verified","url":"https://mcp.waymark.network/r/d9155c06-a473-406d-a5da-c44358593738"}