5 Summertime Checks To Avoid a Leaky Basement

Summer in Toronto are great, it provides a nice relief after a long and cold winter. When it comes to your basement, a dry summer can give you relief from the spring rains that wrecked havoc on your basement.

While the weather is still nice, it’s a good opportunity to take some time to do a perimeter inspection around you house to see if there are potential water leak problems just waiting to happen. The last thing you want is for heavy rains in the fall start creating water leaks in your basement. The summer is a great time to look around and see if you can be proactive in solving your basement water problems before they happen.

Your Gutters

One of the most common causes of basement leaks is excess moisture accumulating around your foundation—and your gutters play a significant role in either preventing or contributing to this issue. If your gutters are clogged, damaged, or improperly installed, rainwater can overflow and saturate the soil around your home, increasing the risk of leaks through even the smallest cracks in your foundation.

How Clogged Gutters Lead to Basement Leaks

When gutters are filled with leaves, dirt, and debris, they can’t effectively channel rainwater away from your home. Instead, water spills over the edges and pools around the perimeter, putting excessive pressure on your foundation walls. Over time, this constant exposure to moisture can lead to cracking, shifting, and even structural damage.

Check and Maintain Your Gutters Regularly

To keep your basement dry, inspect your gutters at least twice a year, ideally in the spring and fall. Here’s what to look for:
✅ Clear out debris – Remove leaves, twigs, and dirt that may be clogging your gutters.
✅ Check for sagging or damage – Ensure gutters are securely fastened and properly sloped for water flow.
✅ Inspect downspouts – Make sure they are intact and direct water at least 10 feet away from your foundation.
✅ Look for leaks or rust – Small holes or cracks in gutters can lead to drips that saturate the ground near your home.

Consider Gutter Upgrades for Extra Protection

If your home is prone to water issues, consider installing gutter guards to minimize debris buildup or upgrading to a larger-capacity gutter system that can handle heavy rainfall more effectively. Extending your downspouts further away from your home or installing a French drain system can also provide an extra layer of protection.

Test Your Gutters During Rainfall

One of the best ways to ensure your gutters are working properly is to observe them during a rainstorm. Check if water is flowing smoothly through the downspouts and away from your home. If you notice overflow, pooling, or leaks, address the problem immediately before it leads to costly basement repairs.

By keeping your gutters clean, well-maintained, and directing water away from your foundation, you can significantly reduce the risk of basement leaks and protect your home from long-term water damage.

Landscaping

Your home’s landscaping plays a critical role in preventing water from seeping into your basement. If the ground around your foundation is not properly sloped, rainwater and melting snow can flow toward your home instead of away, increasing the risk of foundation leaks and basement flooding.

How Improper Grading Causes Basement Leaks

If your yard is sloped incorrectly, water pools near your foundation and slowly seeps into the soil. Over time, this constant moisture creates hydrostatic pressure against your foundation walls, forcing water through tiny cracks and weak points. Even if your gutters and downspouts are working correctly, poor grading can trap water against your home, leading to dampness, mold growth, and even structural damage.

How to Check Your Yard’s Slope

You don’t need to be a professional to check if your landscaping is contributing to water issues. Here’s a simple test:
✔ Walk around your home after heavy rainfall – Are there puddles forming near your foundation?
✔ Measure the slope – The ground should slope downward at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet from your foundation.
✔ Look for signs of erosion – Bare soil, exposed roots, and washed-out mulch can indicate improper water drainage.

How to Fix Landscaping Drainage Issues

If you notice poor grading around your home, consider these solutions:
✅ Regrade the soil – Add compacted soil around your foundation to create a gentle slope that directs water away.
✅ Install a French drain – This underground drainage system collects and redirects water away from your foundation.
✅ Use gravel or river rocks – These materials help improve drainage and prevent soil erosion.
✅ Add water-loving plants – Strategic landscaping with deep-rooted plants can absorb excess moisture and reduce pooling.

Preventative Landscaping Tips for a Dry Basement

Avoid planting shrubs too close to your foundation, as their roots can hold moisture against your home.
Direct downspouts away from garden beds, ensuring water isn’t collecting near your basement walls.
Check for settling soil every season, as it can shift over time and create new drainage problems.

By maintaining proper grading and ensuring water is channeled away from your home, you can significantly reduce the risk of basement leaks and keep your foundation strong for years to come.

Your Swimming Pool and Sprinkler System

If you have a swimming pool or an underground sprinkler system, they could be unknowingly contributing to basement leaks. Even a small, slow leak from a pool pump, underground piping, or sprinkler head can saturate the soil around your home, creating excess moisture that puts pressure on your foundation. Over time, this can lead to water intrusion, cracks, and even foundation damage.

How Pool and Sprinkler Leaks Affect Your Foundation

Water leaks from these systems don’t always appear as obvious puddles. Instead, they gradually seep into the surrounding soil, leading to:

Saturated ground near your foundation, increasing the risk of water seepage into your basement.
Soil erosion, which can shift the ground and cause foundation settling or cracking.
Hidden underground water movement, which may also affect your neighbor’s property if homes are close together.

Signs of a Pool or Sprinkler Leak

To detect potential issues, look for these warning signs:
✔ Unexplained increase in your water bill – A sudden spike could indicate an underground leak.
✔ Wet or soggy patches in your yard – Standing water or persistently damp soil near your home can be a red flag.
✔ Decreasing pool water levels – If you’re adding water to your pool more often than usual, check for leaks.
✔ Mushy landscaping or dying plants – Overwatering from a leak can suffocate plant roots or cause unexpected growth in one area.

How to Prevent and Fix Pool or Sprinkler Leaks

✅ Inspect your pool equipment – Regularly check your pump, hoses, and filter system for leaks or cracks.
✅ Check sprinkler heads and underground pipes – Ensure all sprinkler heads are functioning correctly and there are no breaks in the system.
✅ Monitor soil moisture levels – If the ground near your home is constantly damp despite dry weather, there may be a hidden leak.
✅ Hire a professional leak detection service – If you suspect a leak but can’t find the source, a professional can use pressure testing and thermal imaging to locate underground water issues.

Be Proactive to Protect Your Basement

Avoid overwatering your lawn, especially near your home’s foundation.
Ensure your pool’s backwash drain is directed away from your house to prevent unnecessary water buildup.
Winterize your sprinkler system properly to prevent pipe damage that could lead to leaks in the spring.

By routinely inspecting your pool and sprinkler system for leaks, you can prevent soil saturation, foundation damage, and costly basement repairs, keeping your home safe and dry all year long.

Window Wells

Basement windows are one of the most vulnerable spots for water infiltration, especially if they have window wells that aren’t properly maintained. Cracks, worn caulking, and settling around the window frame can create easy entry points for moisture, leading to leaks, mold growth, and structural damage. If your window well isn’t draining properly, rainwater can pool against your foundation, increasing the risk of basement flooding.

How Window Wells Contribute to Basement Leaks

A window well is designed to protect basement windows and allow natural light into lower-level spaces, but if it’s not properly installed or maintained, it can become a water trap. Some common causes of window well flooding include:

Clogged or missing drainage systems – Without proper drainage, rainwater collects in the well and seeps through window frames.
Debris buildup – Leaves, dirt, and other debris can block water from draining, leading to standing water.
Improper grading – If the ground around the window well is sloped toward your home, water naturally flows into the well instead of away from it.

How to Inspect and Maintain Your Window Wells

Regular maintenance can prevent window well-related basement leaks. Here’s what you should do:
✔ Check for pooling water after rainfall – If water remains in the well, the drainage system may not be working properly.
✔ Clear out debris – Remove leaves, twigs, and dirt that could clog the well’s drainage system.
✔ Inspect window caulking and seals – Look for cracks or worn-out seals around the window and reapply caulk if necessary.
✔ Test the drainage system – Pour water into the well and see if it drains properly. If it doesn’t, the drainage pipe may be clogged or missing.

Preventative Solutions for Window Well Flooding

If you’re experiencing persistent water issues with your window wells, consider these solutions:
✅ Install a window well drain – This helps direct excess water away from your foundation. If one isn’t in place, have a professional install it.
✅ Use a window well cover – A clear, durable cover prevents rainwater and debris from accumulating while still allowing light into your basement.
✅ Regrade the surrounding area – Ensure the ground around the window well slopes away from your home to prevent water from flowing toward it.
✅ Upgrade to gravel-filled wells – Adding a 6-8 inch layer of gravel at the bottom of the well improves drainage and reduces standing water.

Protect Your Basement with Regular Window Well Maintenance

A well-maintained window well is a simple but crucial defense against basement leaks. By ensuring proper drainage, sealing cracks, and keeping the well free of debris, you can prevent costly water damage and keep your basement dry year-round.

Your Neighbours

In densely packed neighborhoods, especially in Toronto and the GTA, homes are often built close together, leaving little room for water to drain properly. Even if you’ve taken all the right steps to protect your foundation, your neighbor’s water management (or lack thereof) could still put your home at risk.

How Your Neighbor’s Property Can Cause Your Basement to Leak

Water moves through soil based on gravity and saturation levels, meaning that excess water on a neighboring property can seep into your foundation. Some common ways your neighbor’s water issues might affect your home include:

Leaking swimming pool pumps – A malfunctioning pool pump or broken hose can saturate the soil, creating constant moisture buildup near your foundation.
Improperly directed downspouts – If your neighbor’s downspouts empty too close to your shared property line, water can accumulate near your home, leading to leaks.
Overwatering gardens or lawns – Excessive irrigation can create soggy soil, increasing hydrostatic pressure against your basement walls.
Poorly maintained landscaping – If their property is graded toward your home, rainwater will naturally flow toward your foundation rather than away from it.

How to Identify If Your Neighbor’s Water Is Affecting Your Home

Here are a few signs that your basement issues may be caused by nearby properties:
✔ Pooled water between houses – After rainfall, check if water is collecting between your home and your neighbor’s.
✔ Damp soil near your foundation even in dry weather – If the soil is consistently wet, it may be coming from an external source.
✔ New leaks after changes to a neighbor’s yard – If they recently installed a pool, added sprinklers, or regraded their lawn, their modifications may be affecting drainage.
✔ Unexplained moisture or mold growth – If one side of your basement has persistent moisture issues, nearby water sources could be the cause.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Home

✅ Have a friendly conversation – If you notice potential water issues coming from a neighbor’s property, politely bring it to their attention. They may not be aware of the problem.
✅ Install a barrier or trench drain – If water runoff is an issue, consider adding a gravel-filled trench or French drain to redirect excess moisture.
✅ Extend your downspouts – Even if the issue isn’t on your property, ensuring your downspouts extend at least 10 feet away can help prevent additional pooling.
✅ Check your foundation regularly – Since you can’t control everything your neighbors do, routine foundation inspections can help you catch and address small leaks early.

Work Together for a Dry Basement

In crowded neighborhoods, cooperation is key to preventing water issues. By communicating with your neighbors and addressing drainage concerns proactively, you can reduce the risk of leaks, protect your foundation, and maintain a dry, healthy basement for years to come.

Be proactive!

Taking just one hour to inspect your home’s exterior can save you from major headaches when the fall rains and winter snow arrive. Most basement leaks can be prevented with regular maintenance and proactive waterproofing measures.

By ensuring your gutters are clear, your grading is correct, your window wells drain properly, and nearby water sources aren’t affecting your foundation, you can significantly reduce the risk of water damage in your basement.

Need Help? Contact Professional Waterproofing Contractors in the GTA

If you’ve noticed signs of a basement leak, don’t wait until it gets worse. Whether it’s a leaking window well, foundation cracks, or excess moisture, professional waterproofing contractors in Toronto and the GTA can provide expert solutions to keep your basement dry.

Contact us today for a free in-home inspection and estimate. Let’s make sure your home stays safe, dry, and protected from water damage year-round!