The issue of our times is a changing climate, and the impact that has on all of our lives. As the air becomes warmer, and temperatures rise up, that means a more intense water cycle, with more moisture evaporating into the atmosphere.
That leads to changes in rainfall patterns, and more storms. Downpours are more intense. There is more snow, which melts more rapidly.
With an increase in precipitation comes an increased risk of flooding. If you own or rent a house, with a basement, you know what we are talking about.
The home’s foundation drainage system is interconnected and complicated, and includes the city’s sanitary sewer lateral, perhaps a storm service lateral (in newer homes), a weeping tile system that channels water away from the foundation, drain pipes and sump pumps. Any failure there leaves the home exposed to flooding.
For most people, purchasing a home will be the most significant investment they make in their lives.
How many of us though have directly experienced, or heard horror stories, about walking down the basement stairs to find a foot or two of water, or a cascade of water pouring into a finished basement through a clogged-up window well during a heavy rain storm, personal possessions being washed away forever in some cases.
Cost estimates to fix water damage vary – but it’s in the thousands, all to repair or replace drywall, floors and hardwood, or anything electrical. Those home repair costs go up the more the water damage is left untreated, or if the homeowner is dealing with clean water as opposed to a sewer backup, or contaminated water. Around $1.7 billion is paid out in insurance claims due to water damage in Canada each year.
Moisture will spare no part of the home – timber, block structures, floors, and bricks. Many people spend a lot of money finishing a basement, perhaps creating a rental apartment for income purposes, all to help push up the value of that investment, only to have to do the work again.
For homeowners the issue becomes balancing the potential repair costs associated with a flood with buying flood insurance from your provider. That becomes even more of an issue for people living next to waterways – in case a river or body of water overflows.
Then there are the health effects – water damage leads to mould and mildew growth. You look at it and it seems harmless, but mould spores can travel anywhere, and can lead to throat and eye irritation, coughing, headaches, fatigue, fever, skin problems, nasal congestion, nose bleeds and allergies. It is important to not only get rid of it when you see it, but stop it from showing up in the first place.
So why does water leak into your basement?
Maybe you have heard the term “hydrostatic pressure”. By definition, it’s the pressure exerted on a fluid at equilibrium (not flowing) by the force of gravity. Hydrostatic pressure increases the deeper you get from the surface due to the increasing weight of the fluid from above.
Hydrostatic pressure is the reason you see water leaks in the basement of a home. Water that is building up against the foundation wall will eventually leak through eroding concrete, at the joint where the poured concrete floor meets the wall, and through cracks in the wall, mortar joints or floor if left un-checked.
With more precipitation, that becomes more of a factor, especially as the soil becomes more saturated. The more loose the soil, the more water it absorbs. That expanding soil also puts more pressure on the foundation walls. In the event of heavy rain or a rapid snowmelt, water tables will rise, putting pressure on a basement.
Window wells are one of the main causes of water leaks in to the basement. If your Toronto home has this issue you should contact a waterproofing professional
Window wells are a weak spot in the foundation, and are susceptible to cracking which can cause them to leak.
Older foundations are generally built with cinder blocks and this is fine until they age. As the wall ages then the mortar between the blocks tends to loosen or crack which allows water to enter the basement.
Sump pumps have many benefits when installed correctly, but they can also cause problems if they are not installed correctly, or they fail due to either age or just bad quality, there are many good Sump pump systems that will last the test of time, and also there are many backup and warning systems that can be installed.
A drain that is backing up is a big issue and should be addressed immediately, you could have a root issue or even a broken sewer pipe that could be letting raw sewage enter your basement.
If you are seeing water rise from any drain in the basement then is it time to call in the professionals.
A crack in a concrete slab could mean a few things, but the most common is hydrostatic pressure, which is a build up of water pressure under your slab trying to escape and eventually will push up and crack the slab, but also a crack may be less sinister, and it could just be shrinkage. Watch out for a white powder around the cracks which is the tell tale for hydrostatic pressure.
Weeping tiles are an important part of protecting your home from water entering your basement.
If a weeping tile becomes clogged or broken then water pressure will build up and enter into your basement either through the base of the wall or through cracks in the floor.
This is the most common issue when it comes to concrete foundations. Your concrete foundation is similar to a swimming pool in reverse.
If you have a crack and water hits it then it will leak.
Crack concrete foundations should be addressed ASAP.
This type of leak may be caused by a few things, one is that the weeping tile has failed, and another is that there is a crack in your cinder block foundation and water is entering into the hollow blocks and showing up at the base of the footer.
A professional will be able to find the cause of your leak.
You can’t control the weather, but you can control how well you protect your home. If you want to stop water from leaking into your basement there are a number things you can do on your own.
But if you really want to stop the problem of flooding at its source, you need an exterior or interior home waterproofing system.
Canadian weather is extreme, to say the least. And unpredictable. Your home will likely be the biggest financial investment you will make. The definition of “home” also goes far beyond any financial connotation. It’s where you rest and re-energize. It’s where you raise your family. For many of us it’s where we work. “Home” needs protection against those weather elements.
Canada Waterproofers has your back. After all, when it comes to your home, it’s all about peace of mind, isn’t it?
Waterproofing your home is like putting on a warm, dry coat, protecting you against those elements. Canada Waterproofers is the “Canada Goose” of home waterproofing professionalism, particularly when it comes to the methods we utilize. Ideally, we waterproof the home from the outside. However sometimes there is no other option than to waterproof from the inside.
Either way, your home will be protected. We guarantee your satisfaction with our lifetime warranty on our 6-stage exterior waterproofing option. Don’t settle for cheap, low quality material. Call us today to receive only the best!
Foundations that leak cause all kinds of damage to your basement walls – whether you live in an older home, or one that’s newer. If your basement is leaking then there is no time like the present to have it repaired. And if it’s not leaking, there still is no better time than now to add that extra layer of protection.
When a basement is excavated, the soils that will be back-filled around the new foundation will be much looser soil than the surrounding, undisturbed ground. The problem with this is that loose earth will collect water much faster than undisturbed virgin soils. After the foundation walls are poured and the ground is backfilled then that soil that surrounds the new foundation will collect water and hold that moisture up against the new foundation walls. This water accumulates and eventually will enter into the foundation walls as they age and deteriorate.
The only way to relieve this pressure is to install protective layers on the walls, through a system of weeping tiles and sump pumps, so that this accumulation of water can be redirected away from the foundation and allow the surrounding soils to eventually dry and settle.
A leaking foundation may seem daunting to fix, but we can assure you that with the right waterproofing methods your basement will stay dry, in large part via a series of foundation protective coatings, and sealers, which will keep the water from penetrating your foundation walls. Weeping tiles will carry water away from your foundation and protect your basement from flooding in the event of extreme weather. A membrane will protect the wall from damage and keep your waterproofing system intact for a lifetime.
Moisture can cause all kinds of damage to concrete, timber, bricks, and block structures, which in the end can cost you thousands of dollars in structural repairs.
Maintaining a dry basement is more important than you think, as mould spores can travel throughout your home and cause all kinds of health issues. Although a little leak may seem harmless, without the protection that proper waterproofing provides that leak could be detrimental to the health of you and your family.
INTERIOR WATERPROOFING SERVICE
Waterproofing your basement from the inside is a great option for certain houses, although we always prefer to protect your basement from the outside. Unfortunately sometimes there is no other option but to waterproof from the inside.
Things you should know
Many companies like to tell you that interior waterproofing is the best option. They’ll tell you it best protects your foundation walls from water damage. But the truth is a little different.
Although you may not have any other option but to waterproof from the inside, at Canada Waterproofers, we always advise you to go into your waterproofing project with your eyes open.
The truth
Waterproofing from the inside will stop water from entering into your finished basement, allowing you to enjoy a dry living space. However there will always be a little bit of water trapped behind the membrane of the foundation, which will over a very long period of time deteriorate your walls.
What not to do after interior waterproofing is installed
You run the risk of condensation building up after interior waterproofing is installed if the wrong insulation and vapour barrier is used, which could mean mold behind your walls. We like to call this the mold sandwich.
What is a mould sandwich?
A mould sandwich is when you have two waterproof membranes – a waterproofing membrane and vapour barrier, that doesn’t let moisture escape, allowing your rock wool insulation to become saturated, which will turn to mould.
So there you have it – a mould sandwich.
How do I stop this situation?
There are ways to avoid this situation and it’s very simple (We are not trying to scare you out of interior waterproofing!).
After interior waterproofing is complete, all you have to do is have it spray foamed during the refinishing of your basement. Yes, it’s as simple as spray foam.
Spray foam becomes its own vapour barrier, eliminating that mold sandwich, so instead of having two waterproof membranes you get a continuous membrane, as the foam sticks to the waterproofing membrane and seals and insulates.
Interior waterproofing was introduced into Toronto many years ago and now interior waterproofing is effectively keeping Toronto homes dry and free from leaking.
Protect your investment
Interior waterproofing has become popular in the last decade, as people are finishing basements more often in Toronto and the surrounding areas. Many Toronto homes have a very close proximity to each other and the only way to protect these homes is to install interior waterproofing prior to finishing the job.
The average cost to finish a basement is around $50,000, and this is why it is very important to have your basement waterproofed prior to spending this kind of money.
If a basement is finished with drywall and a leak occurs, not only does all the drywall have to be re-done but also the flooring, and baseboards, so that all the mold can be removed. With the damage, you would normally be looking at an additional $20,000 to $30,000 in cost.
A new waterproofing system can then be installed prior to refinishing your basement – saving you any unnecessary extra cost.
How much will it cost to waterproof my basement from inside?
Interior waterproofing is much more cost effective than exterior basement waterproofing. That’s why many people opt for the internal option.
Interior waterproofing ranges from $65 to $125 per foot. The determining factors are concrete thickness, height of basement, amount of footage, commercial or residential, accessibility etc.
The best way to find out how much a project like this would cost you is to give us a call. We will give you a free onsite assessment.
Will insurance cover my flood?
Insurance companies are great for many things, but if you mention to the insurance adjuster seepage or leaking after your basement gets flooded due to any type of leaking, which includes window wells, cracked, leaking foundation, sump pump failure, then we are afraid you are on your own.
Give your insurance company a call to add extra coverage so that you can be more protected.
