What Is A Knee Wall In Concrete?
What Is A Knee Wall In Concrete?
A knee wall is a wall that is built at a lower height than the surrounding walls, in order to provide support to the structure and to act as a windbreak. Knee walls are commonly made from concrete, although they can also be made from other materials such as wood or masonry.
An engineered knee wall is also known as a pony wall and is normally made of poured concrete erected on the inside of a foundation in a basement or cellar, thereby making the foundation wall twice as thick. Saturated earth expands and exerts strain on a home’s foundation walls, making them insecure.
Knee walls offer extra support to the existing foundation once cracks and fissures emerge, preventing further structural damage.
Knee walls also aid in the closure of fissures, which closes the basement and prevents more water from entering the property.
As a consequence, the basement is clean and dry, the building envelope is sealed, and the foundation is sturdy.
What Is A Reveal In A Concrete Wall?
A reveal or demarcation feature is a groove, or a step in a panel face generally used to create a desired architectural effect. Another name for it is rustication or false joint.
Reveals can run vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, and there may be several bands on a building. They add character and interest to a structure and can be a great way to create a distinction between different levels or sections of a building.
They can also be used to create a visual connection between different parts of a building or to help visualize the shape of a structure.
Whether you’re looking to add some character to your home or create a more distinctive structure, a reveal can be a great way to do it.
If you’re looking to add a reveal to your home, consult with an architect or engineer to ensure the design is done correctly.
A reveal can be a great way to add character and interest to your home, but it can also be a complex design task. If you’re not sure if a reveal is a right option for your home, don’t hesitate to consult with an expert.
Why Is My Concrete Wall Bubbling?
It starts when bleed water or trapped air bubbles migrate through the concrete and are unable to leave the surface.
Typically, the surface was sealed too soon during the finishing process, resulting in concealed voids of air and leaking water beneath the mortar skin.
While blisters can form quickly after completion, they might be difficult to see in dim and/or poorly light environments.
In this situation, the blisters are only discovered after the concrete has hardened and often under the weight of vehicles.
Concrete blisters are hollow, inconspicuous nodules on a concrete surface, similar to skin inflammation.
Though blisters are typically dime-sized to one inch in diameter, they can develop to three inches in diameter depending on the environment.
Can I Avoid Blisters On Concrete Walls?
Yes. If a concrete surface looks ready for finishing ahead of schedule, proceed with care. Any finishing procedures should prioritize:
- Quickly putting, striking off, and bull-floating the concrete.
- Avoid the formation of a mortar layer on the surface.
If feasible, postpone any further completion after these steps are completed. Use a covering, such as polyethylene, to keep the surface from evaporating. In the presence of excessive evaporation rates, cover a tiny portion of the slab to see if bleeding is evident.
Ensure that the float blades are flat during the first floating to avoid premature densification of the surface. Using an accelerating additive or warm concrete often reduces blistering in chilly weather.
Also, for interior slabs, it is preferable to utilize non-air-entrained concrete rather than steel trowel or air-entrained concrete.
