Is it possible to earth-berm lower exterior walls without compromising the structure with moisture damage, etc.?
Answer Dear Maxene, You’ve identified the main problem with earth berming–moisture damage. The pressure from the ground can also damage the walls. To keep ground water away from the siding, you will need to prevent the earth from actually touching it. Starting with the cement siding, a waterproof membrane is sometimes applied and flashed so the siding overlaps above the new ground level. Next, a layer of stacked rock is placed against the wall to provide channels for water to drain away. Then in the earth itself, some artificial structure, such as road or drain fabric, is placed laterally for several feet in layers to alleviate hydrostatic pressure of the earth against the wall. And finally, the ground is contoured so that water flows away from the building. Gutters and downspouts are installed so that the roof water is taken away from the perimeter. Inside, the walls to be backfilled are first sheathed with 1/2″ plywood and a vapor retarder (plastic) applied beneath the sheetrock to
