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Capillary action:
Capillary action happens in situations where
water is absorbed by wicking action.
This will happen mostly with masonry and
concrete at or below grade levels.
These materials have a natural high degree of
minute void space within their composition.
These minute voids actually create a capillary
suction force that draws water into the substrate
when standing water is present. This is similar to
the action of a sponge laid in water and
absorbing the water.
Ironically, materials that have large voids or are
very porous are not susceptible to capillary
action in buildings. For example, sand is often
used as a fill below concrete slabs to prevent the
concrete from drawing water from the soil
through capillary action.
Compacted sand and
Pea Gravel fill.
Waterproofing
membrane
Waterstop
The best way to prevent capillary action is to
install a good barrier. In this case the barrier
can be a waterproofing membrane, waterstops
and compacted sand and pea gravel fills.