The world of basement waterproofing is one where myths and fiction fly around and unfortunately, a good percentage of homeowners believe them. You can call it a case of misinformation or ignorance. Having the facts straight is important to effectively keep water out of the basement.
Fiction: All you need to waterproof your basement is paint a few coats of waterproof paint and you are good to go.
Fact: Sorry to disappoint, but waterproof paint will not do much to keep water out of the basement. In any case, it’s only effective for a while and after that, your basement could flood. That’s not something you want because mold and mildew growth at home can lead to disease hazards in your family. And even if you are willing to clean up the mold with bleach, which is disgusting if you do it on your own, the underlying issue will still, cause problems for your basement again.
Fiction: The basement will still leak even after it is waterproofed.
Fact: This sort of misconception is common among parties who have partially waterproofed. Whether its a consolation on their conscience for not completing the job or just lack of information, its a common scenario. A homeowner may decide to waterproof the exterior and leave the interior unattended or vice versa. Of course, if you go for partial waterproofing then problems are likely to arise. A good waterproofing will leave no room for leaks as it will effectively keep the water out.
Fiction: Basement waterproofing is a lengthy process where you will be required to unnecessarily fork out money that could be used for other purposes. And to think they will dig up my basement? Not worth it.
Fact: If you go for the best waterproofing company, and you should, assumptions on what you need wont be made and you can rest assured that you will get the best service for your money. Prior to waterproofing your home, experts will assess your house, noting what could cause damage, areas that can affected and most importantly, the most effective method to waterproof your basement. Be wary of professionals who jump into negotiating cost before assessing your home.
Fiction: External systems do not work and neither do internal systems. Just one system works for all houses.
Fact: Wrong again. Truth is, the effectiveness of a waterproofing system is dependent on the climate, location, size and drainage system among other factors. As such, there are different types of waterproofing systems installed for different homes. While the basic rules might apply to all properties, there are several ways to waterproof a house.
Fiction: Cracks in the basement wall can only be fixed from the exterior.
Fact: Water seepage often occurs if there are existing cracks in basement walls. But unlike before where cracks could only be fixed from the outside, they can now be fixed from the interior thanks to the advancement of technology. Something as simple as a sealer can be used to seal cracks in walls.
Now that you know the factual truth about whatever myths you have been hearing about basement waterproofing in Toronto, you can go ahead and seek professional help to waterproof your basement and keep the moisture out.