How Does a Tarion New Home Warranty Work

Tarion New Home WarrantyNew homebuyers like to be assured that their purchase has been well-built and the construction of the home meets all of the local bylaws and standards. When it comes to home-construction regulations, one of Canada’s most-respected private businesses is the Tarion Warranty Corporation. This company makes sure that homeowners’ rights are protected in accordance to the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.

Home Builder Licensing

One of Tarion’s top jobs is licensing all new condominium and home builders in the province of Ontario. The company makes sure that builders have the proper financial stability, technical experience, and customer-service know-how and capacity to perform their job. The corporation recommends all consumers do a little research before buying a new home and helps out by providing them with the Ontario Builder Directory, which is accessible to the public. This directory has a wealth of information regarding home builders, including whether or not they’re legally licensed. The directory also has information on how many homes the builders have constructed, if their license has ever been revoked or refused and if there have been any warranty claims against them. Tarion New Home Warranty Ontario-Basement Leaks Repaired

Tarion Warranty Coverage

Tarion also protects homebuyers by providing them with mandatory warranty coverage. This includes valuable things such as deposit protection and a guarantee against any financial losses and delayed closing for contract homes. There are one, two, and seven-year warranties available once you’ve taken possession of a new home. The one-year warranty offers protection against violations of the Ontario Building Code as well as against defective workmanship and materials. The warranty also protects against unauthorized substitutions and states that the home has to be habitable. With the two-year warranty, Tarion makes sure the home is protected against defective electrical, heating, and plumbing installation as well as water penetration, and defective window, door, caulking, and exterior-cladding materials. The warranty protects against the province’s building-code health and safety violations as well. With the seven-year warranty, the home is covered from major structural defects and shared common element areas of condominiums are protected, such elevators and recreation areas.

Tarion’s Online Resources

Tarion helps new homebuyers and builders manage their warranty by providing them with helpful online resources. The online warranty system is known as MyHome and it will notify consumers about warranty deadlines via automatic emails. The MyHome service has proven to be a hit with homebuyers as close to 75,000 of them used it in 2013. In addition, Tarion has an online resource system known as BuilderLink, which enables builders to manage inspections and enroll homes.

Tarion Customer Satisfaction

All homeowners can evaluate their builders via Tarion’s yearly Customer Satisfaction Survey. The company will send out a survey to all new Ontario homebuyers within 12 months of taking possession of their home. This will allow customers to grade their builders. The best-rated builders are then eligible for the Tarion Award of Excellence. This survey has shown that customer satisfaction has been on the rise because over the past few years. One of the reasons for this is due to the link Tarion helps forge between the homeowner and the builder. The results of the survey are given to all builders and Tarion helps to analyze them and provides service training and advice to builders with low ratings. Since lower-ranked builders won’t receive as many recommendations, this survey is seen as extremely important to them.

Claims

According to Tarion, the number of claims against home builders has been falling recently since most issues are now being resolved between the builder and homebuyer, which is something the company encourages. If a homeowner asks Tarion to inspect a house and the company finds the warranty hasn’t been honoured it could lead to chargeable conciliations against the builder if the issue hasn’t been resolved within the applicable time frame. If a builder receives a chargeable conciliation it will be applied to their permanent record and will show up on the Ontario Builder Directory. In addition, builders are charged $1,000 if an inspection reveals that one item under warranty hasn’t been adhered to. Another consumer-protection program provided by Tarion is to help fight against illegal homebuilding. This includes builders who don’t enroll their jobs under the warranty or aren’t licensed by Tarion. The company has been working with politicians to amend the law, making it harder for homebuilders to avoid supplying homebuyers with a warranty. Ontario vendors and builders can be fined up to $100,000 if they don’t enroll or register new homes which are required by law.

Tips For Buying a Sump Pump For Your Basement

Toronto-sump-pump-drawingWhen you have a serious water problem in your basement, sump pumps can help. These pumps remove groundwater from around the foundation of your home. This is necessary when water tables rise quickly after a heavy rain or when large quantities of snow melt.

Looking at sump pumps is an overwhelming task. There are countless models and materials. However, there are some time and money-savings tips that can help you get the right unit at the right price.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are two basic types of sump pumps – submersible (underwater) or pedestal (above ground). Of the two, the submersible is the most effective as the pit that accumulates water comes with a cover so that it does not fill with debris. As well, the pump sounds are muffled by the cover and moisture trapped, rather than released into your home. While they are more expensive, they also have a longer usable life.

Make sure that the pump that you choose has a head pressure rating that will lift the water at least 10 feet. This is usually enough push to get the water out of your basement or crawlspace. The horsepower of the motor of the sump determines how fast the water moves out of your home. Some people opt for a larger motor, but these use more electricity and cost more to operate. However, the also minimize the chance of damage to your home. Most people find that a ½ HP pump is sufficient to do the job.

A good sump pump has a corrosion-free housing such as bronze, stainless steel or coated cast iron. The core should also be cast iron. Many economy pumps have plastic cores, but these do not dissipate heat and as a result the life of the pump is usually shorter.

sump-pumps-toronto-basement

What Switch To Use

There is some debate on what type of switch is the best for a sump pump. Many claim that a mechanical switch is superior as it is less likely to fail and burn out the pump. Others suggest that capacitive switches are better as there are no mechanical parts to wear out. Regardless of what type of switch the unit has, most water control specialists also suggest a secondary, or backup system in case of failure.

Finished Basements

If you have a finished basement or you store valuable goods in the lower areas of your home, a backup system can give you peace of mind. A backup system will turn on if the power or your primary pump fails. Usually the backup is battery-powered however some depend on high municipal water pressure (75 – 150 psi) to run the pump. These pumps are an automatic, independent system from the primary sump pump. If water rises above normal for any reason, a valve activates that draws the sump water up and ejects it to the outdoors. When the float drops, the pump stops after a pre-set time.

For those of you that feel that the do-it-yourself path is not for you, Nusite Group has experts that can help. We offer a free inspection and estimate for all your water control needs. Investing in a sump pump could save you thousands in property damage, but it is important that you choice the right one for the job. Our qualified technicians will explain which pump is best and why.

Why You Need a Backup for Your Sump Pump

Sump pumps can often be found in basements where flooding is prone to happen. In short, the purpose of sump pumps is to help control wetness from accumulating when a water table is above the foundation of a home. Sump pumps remove water that has accumulated in water collecting sump basin and send it away from the home to places like municipal storm drains.

Backup Options

Traditional battery powered vs whole home backup Sump pump installation in Toronto basement

There’s no arguing that sump pumps are useful tools; but unfortunately, since they are connected to your home’s power grid they are not 100% reliable without a backup solution. If the power should happen to go out and your primary sump pump fails, having a backup sump pump installed will ensure that your home doesn’t get flooded. Choose between a Traditional Battery Powered sump pump and Whole Home Backup system.

Let’s take a closer look at the two backup options:

Traditional Battery Powered

The most typical type of backup for a sump pump is battery powered. If your home loses power during a strong storm, a battery-powered backup sump pump will keep working to protect your basement.

Pros:

  • Designed to switch on automatically when the main power is off, continuing to pump out water when the main sump pump is off
  • Eliminates the headaches and cost associated with a flooded basement
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to install

Cons:

  • Short-term solution, lasting for approximately 7-24 hours before battery needs to recharge
  • Batteries need to be replaced periodically for the pump to work effectively
  • Requires regular maintenance, which creates additional costs for the home owner

Whole Home Backup

Another option is to backup your entire home in case of a power outage. A home backup generator senses a power outage, and automatically delivers backup power to your home’s electrical circuit breaker box until utility power returns. After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off until the next outage. It sits outside (just like your air conditioning unit) and operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas.

Pros:

  • Long-term solution for extended power outage; generator power can last for up to two weeks
  • Protects your whole home in a power outage, not just the basement

Cons:

  • More expensive than a battery powered sump pump backup*
  • Generators require periodic oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance
  • May be noisy

*What many people don’t know is that insurance can cover part of the cost of a sump-pump back up system. Be sure to check with your insurance provided on what is covered.

Remember to Test and Maintain Regularly

If your basement is prone to flooding, it is essential to invest in a sump pump with a back-up solution.

Regardless if you choose to go with a battery powered backup system or a whole home system, it’s important to test and maintain your sump pump regularly to make sure it will operate when the next big rain storm occurs. You can test your system by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit. You’re looking for the pump to turn on, remove the water from the pit and shut itself off.

What’s the Difference Between a Sump Pump and an Injector Pump?

We service hundreds of homes in Toronto every year and most homeowners aren’t sure what kind of water pump they have installed in their basement.  Here’s a little breakdown of the difference between a sump pump and an injector pump and how each is used.

Despite looking very similar and performing the same basic functions, a sump pump and an injector pump perform the same action very differently. Homeowners are often confused by what the difference is, and why you need one or the other. Sump pumps have been used in homes for a long time, but the injector pump still leaves people perplexed. Here, we will demystify these integral parts of a home water management system.

What is a Sump Pump?

Sump pump installation in Toronto basementA sump pump is a water pump located in the basement. It is small and submersible, and it sits in a sump basin, which is set into the ground. The sump basin connects to a drain tile system, where water collected by the drainage system will flow to the sump basin. Groundwater is often collected into the basin, and helps to keep your basement dry. If the pump malfunctions or there is a sudden large rush of water, the basement will flood, but there are battery-operated back-up systems often available and used in conjunction to ensure dry conditions.

The sump basin holds the accumulating water until it rises to a certain height, high enough to activate the float switch on the sump pump. It will then pump the water out of the basin onto the lawn through strategic piping. It often arrives at a storm sewer, dry well, or other dispersal devices.

What is an Injector Pump?

Ejector pump installed in Toronto basementBecause the two look nearly identical and perform the same tasks, people often confuse sump pumps and injector pumps, and wonder why an injector pump would even be necessary. Like the former, it is installed in a basin which is set into the ground. However, it does not utilize the drain tile systems to collect groundwater. Instead, it collects water from floor drains, such as excess water from a washing machine, sink, or even waste water from a bathroom, depending on the home and the quality of its systems.

Because an injector pump is used to handle this type of water, it has a sealed lid on the basin, and a vent pipe to discharge gases. If the injector pump will not come into contact with waste water, it will look the same minus the vent. An injector pumps is connected to a sanitary sewage line through a discharge pipe, very much like a home’s plumbing systems.

If an injector pump malfunctions, it will flood, but not nearly as heavily as if a sump pump fails. However, because this is tainted sewage water, it could create a health hazard if exposed to the dirty water and it must be cleaned up after properly.

If you would like to locate where the injector pump is located in your home, simply turn on the tap or flush your lower-level toilets. It should activate the pump.

Injector pumps are also often installed by plumbers, while sump pumps are often installed by basement waterproofing professionals, who offer a variety of long-lasting pumps and who are knowledgeable in basement water removal.

If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA and are interested in a sump pump for your basement, feel free to contact us here.  We offer a free in-home inspection and estimate for all sump pump installations and repairs.

Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Basement

Sump Pump Program Toronto

We install a lot of sumps pumps here in Toronto.  They are usually the last line of defense to stop a flooded basement and choosing the right one for your basement is an important decision.

If you’re having repeated bouts of water leaking into your basement, a sump pump is probably the first step to a remedy.  Conversely, water through foundation cracks or basement window that don’t close properly are signs of a problem with your foundation, needing a complete cure.  And if your water troubles are minor and infrequent, you may not need a pump.

A sump pump is a sort of body guard for your basement.  It is there to head the water off, trap it, and get rid of it.  It’s almost like living on a mound with the sloping land all around directing the rain away.  A sump pump sits in a little hole dug for it in the basement’s floor—the sump pit.  If water enters the pit, the rising water level trips a switch that turns the pump on, which escorts the water out through a drain pipe.

Varieties of Pumps

Submersible – This one is the Cadillac.  These are installed under your basement (in the pit) as described above.  They are made from zinc, bronze, stainless steel or cast iron, and the best models can pump up to 7,000 GPH, gallons per hour.  You’ll likely get a good 25 years or more from your submersible.  Go with this design unless you absolutely can’t afford it.

Pedestal ­- This is your average used sedan.  These actually sit above the pump and may serve you only about 10-15 years.  They’re generally not as powerful, and it’s the cost that causes most people to choose them.  Some buyers are attracted to the idea that the motor, up above the water itself, should not face the threat of damage.

Criteria

Once you’ve chosen the type of pump to go with, let’s look at the factors to consider when shopping.  The biggest ones are: horsepower, switch quality, pumping capacity, quality of construction

1. Horsepower

Hooking an actual horse up to the pump will get the animal cruelty people out to your place so fast you won’t believe it.  So you’ll have to settle for a bit less.  Pumps are usually sold in small increments of 1/2 hp, 1/3 or 1/4, which gives you plenty of flexibility.

Basically, the 1/4 hp variety is for a household that isn’t having water problems at all, but just wants a no-nonsense approach to stopping any possible threat.  If you live in a low-rainfall area, this is for you.

1/3 hp is a good option for folks whose foundation is at or above the water table, and who live in areas with average rainfall.  The majority of you will probably go with this option.

The 1/2 hp is for a house in a low-lying area or one that is susceptible to high quantities of water for any reason.

 

2. Switch Quality

You probably wouldn’t buy a car without researching the engine or a golf club whose head design you don’t like.  As we mentioned above, the switch is activated by the water level, and it makes the pump act.  Therefore, dazzle your local store employee by going in with some knowledge of the different kind of pumps.

Electronic – These switches are powered by electronic sensors.  Electronic vs. mechanical means less worry about physical parts that can wear out.  Word has it that sometimes these switches can outlast the pump itself, sometimes working for more than a million cycles.

Float –These are fairly common.  The floating mechanism sometimes moves up and down on a rod.  As outlined above, it’s the floating mechanism that detects rising water and turns on the pump mechanism.  As you can guess, this set-up can require occasional maintenance—switch failure is probably the most common problem with sump pumps.  While a good float switch is just fine, you may try to go electronic when possible.

Diaphragm – These use water pressure to alert the pump to water.  Some varieties of these are adjustable, while some are not.  That’s something to give serious consideration.

 

3. Pumping Capacity

How much water the pump can handle is pretty important, particularly if you live in an area with flood threats.  There’s probably no reason to monkey around with a product that lists a max capacity of less than 3,000 GPH.  You should also see a listing of “flow at 10’ lift” and you’ll want one with as high a ratio of this to maximum capacity as possible.  This is affected by the length of the discard pipe.

 

4. Quality of Construction

Your sump pump is made up the housing, which is the outer shell of the machine; the impeller, a small motor at the bottom of the rod that runs the machine’s center and activates the pump, and the cover.

Naturally, you’ll want the housing to be as strong and durable as possible.  Cast iron or bronze are the best materials.  Thermoplastic materials are good for housing since they are non-corrosive.  But be sure not to buy a pump with internal materials made of thermoplast.  These are not good alternatives to stainless steel and other heavy-duty material.

Choose a quality sump pump and contractor 

To conclude, many sump pumps come with warranties and quality of pumps can vary.   You can purchase a sump pump from your local hardware store, though you may need some expertise when it comes to choosing and installing the one that is right for your situation.  Sump pumps don’t last forever and require some maintenance to get the most out of it.  It’s usually your last line of defense when it comes to having a dry basement or a flooded basement, so it’s important to choose and install the right one.

If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact us here with any sump pump or basement waterproofing questions you may have.

Can My Neighbour’s Yard Cause My Basement to Flood?

Water leak from unground sprinkler systemHeavy rains that cause flooded yards, surface runoff and even leaking sprinkler systems from coming from you neighbour’s yard can cause your basement or crawlspace to flood.

Surface Water Runoff/Flooding

It happens from time to time, a neighbour changes their landscaping in some way or grades their property to where it slopes toward your home.  Sometimes the homeowner hasn’t made any changes; heavy rains can cause erosion that can change the course of the water runoff.  It is possible that your neighbour’s yard can make your yard flood and even flood your basement or crawlspace.

 

Sprinkler Systems

Contact your neighbour and let them know their sprinkler system is running overtime or causing your property to flood.  Sprinklers are not considered to be weather related and the neighbor could be liable.

 

Downspout Extensions

This situation can typically be addressed by just asking your neighbor to redirect the downspout away from your property.  Many times others do the work and the homeowner may not even be aware that the downspout is routed away from their yard and directly into yours.  Sometimes the downspouts can even be routed out to street drainage.

 cracks in troughs can lead to basement leaks

Lower Homeowners Beware!

In the past, many court systems have treated heavy or excessive rainwater flooding as a common enemy and as kind of a homeowner beware situation.  Homeowners were and are expected to protect their own property.  This type of flooding is not due to any type of carelessness but if you are the homeowner living on the lower lot, you should prepare for these types of rains and protect your property through protecting your basement as well as diverting the water.  Don’t wait until heavy rains cause a problem, if you know you’re home is lower ground, be prepared.

 Landscape grading toronto

Due Diligence

If you know that your property is lower and is at risk for this type of drainage/flooding issue, there are some things you can do to be proactive.  French drains around your home can help.  If you have a garage that is lower level, you may want to consider installing some trench drainage just outside the garage door.  Especially if your driveway slopes downs toward your garage door and home.  Runoff from the street can also run down your driveway and right into your garage, leaving a huge mess.

We see all too frequently homeowners who spend hours sweeping out water or shop vacuuming it up as quickly as it comes in.  A waterproofing contractor can help you address and repair this type of flooding.  Here’s a tip for you, when the heavy rains come, lots of basements get flooded and we get typically get inundated with calls, the best time to call a waterproofing company is when it’s dry and sunny outside.

 

Landscaping

It isn’t just changes in your neighbour’s yard that can cause your yard and home to flood, changes you make can cause your home to flood when it never has before.  Removal of a tree with a large root system or addition of shrubs and trees can change the way the drainage runs off.  Homeowners sometimes all their gutters to clog with leaves and this changes how the water is routed away from the home.  Instead of the water routing away through a downspout and away from the home, what happens is the gutters overflow in the areas where leaves have clogged them and pour straight down in that area.  If you’ve ever walked under a clogged gutter, you’ll know exactly what we mean by the water pouring down!

 

Good Old Fashioned Communication

While it’s frustrating to have a leak in your home whether your basement floods, your crawlspace leaks or your garage has puddles in it, probably the best piece of advice is to let cooler heads prevail.  Your neighbour isn’t intentionally trying to flood your home and may not even know there is an issue.  As we said before, if you own the lower piece of property, it’s more likely to happen and your neighbour certainly is liable.  Perhaps a combination of you making changes to your property and talking to your neighbor about redirecting his downspout extensions may solve your problem.

It’s always best to call a professional waterproofing company to assess the situation, give an estimate and design a repair that works the best for your situation.  There’s no greater feeling than to hear thunder, lightning and rain pouring outside and know your basement home is dry : )

Have a question about ongoing flooding in your basement?  Do you suspect your neighbor’s property may be at cause?  If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact us here for a free in-home inspection and estimate.

Being Proactive To Avoid Basement Leaks

Cleaning a flooded basement carpetMany times a homeowner doesn’t realize they have a basement leak until it’s too late.  They discover the lake when the basement floods, when material possessions are ruined and memories are destroyed.  While it is possible sometimes that basements suddenly flood when they’ve never leaked before, often there have been symptoms and signs that are overlooked and, had they been acted upon, could have saved money, belongings and aggravation.  There are even some things a homeowner can do ahead of time to minimize their risk.

Looking for Leaky Basement Signs

Most of the time a leaky basement isn’t your first symptom.  If you have cinder block walls in your basement you may see a white powdery substance begin to appear on the walls, this is efflorescence, and many homeowners ignore this symptom and don’t realize the association with water leaks.  Efflorescence comes from  minerals in the water and if it’s working through your basement wall, that most often means there is water sitting on the outside of that wall, against those blocks and your foundation.

Protecting Your Walls

Painting your walls may visibly make the efflorescence disappear but it isn’t really going away.  Water may start seeping through that wall soon after.

In addition to a waterproof sealer that can be applied to the walls, putting up a vapor barrier or basement wall panels designed to inhibit the moisture soaking through to your basement.

White powder basment wall

Getting Rid of Odour

Another symptom that is overlooked is that damp, musty, moldy smell.  That smell can permeate the belongings in your basement, damaging them.  At the first sign of odors consider a whole house or commercial grade dehumidifier.

 

Water Heater Flooding

Flood rings are another proactive measure you can take.  Many homes have hot water heaters in their basement; they can leak or stop working and flood your basement, causing just as much damage as water leaking from the outside.  Flood rings are designed to warn homeowner about a leak and also containing the water temporarily until the issue can be solved.

iron bacteria in richmond hill home

Routing Away Roof Water

One of the most common causes of leaking and future structural issues is misdirected roof water.  Take a walk around your home and visibly check where your downspouts are routed to.  Do they stop at the corner of your home, right up against your foundation?  If so, they need to be routed away from your home by adding extensions to them.  It is even possible to bury the extension only leaving an exit spot 10 to 20 feet away from your home.  Placement really depends on how large your lot is as well as landscaping and proximity to other homes.  Downspout extensions are a fairly inexpensive way to prevent future issues with your home.

Ice damming on Toronto roof

Adjust the Grade

Do you have water that drips down from the top of your basement wall or creeps over and leaking through your ceiling?  Then you’ve probably changed the landscaping outside your home by adding shrubs, flowers and flower beds.  Worse yet, your neighbour may have done landscaping changes that has caused the new leak. Check where the grade is in relation to your basement walls.  If the grade sits above the top of your basement wall, it’s eventually going to come in up at the top of the wall and no matter what else you’ve done to address leaks, it will still come in and run down into your basement.  The same can be said for your crawlspace.

Adjusting the grade can also refer to the slope of the land outside your home.  Is your lot sloped down towards your home?  This can be a cause for leaks as well.  If you have a basement level garage its common for water to leak in under the garage door and you may need to consider having some trench drain installed just outside the door and have the water routed away.

 Don’t Finish Your Basement Without…..

It easy to lose count of the number of homeowners who tell us they finished without proactively waterproofing.  Wet sheetrock, ruined paneling and carpeting are no fun and a costly loss.  Don’t finish your basement without making sure your home is safe from leaking.  Call a professional waterproofing company and have them check your home to see if they notice signs of past water leakage.

Don’t Wait!

Probably the best advice in terms of being proactive about your basement is not to wait.  Don’t wait until you have a huge problem and your basement floods completely.  You’ve probably seen signs or symptoms or even had a little water in some time in the past but it doesn’t happen often or it’s only leaking in a storage area so you’re not concerned.  As professional in the business, we can tell you that these situations never get better, they tend to get worse over time and more expansive to repair.

Repair the whole area; don’t just address a portion of it that is most worrisome.  Water follows the path of least resistance so stopping only one or two areas will only send that water to another area to come in.

A small leak can turn into a bigger one and letting the leak go can not only cause damage to your belongings, it can damage the structure of your home through erosion and hydrostatic pressure as well as through mold growth.  Address the problem before they become a major inconvenience.

Have questions about a leak in your basement?  If you live in Toronto or the GTA, feel free to contact us here for a free in-home inspection and estimate.

 

 

Understanding Toronto’s Waterways And Leaky Basements

When your basement leaks you may panic.  Most people just want the water out.  Unfortunately, living in the Toronto area may mean you have a higher chance of having one of those leaky basements.

Who would think that all those curvy roads and dead end streets could have something to do with a basement leak?  Unless you’ve spent some time learning the geography of Toronto you may not understand the correlation between your basement leak and the roadways of your surroundings.

Underground river in Toronto

Toronto Waterway History

Many years ago Toronto was filled with waterways.  They gradually became quite invisible, filled with developments of new homes and businesses and diverted into sewer systems.  If you lifted a sewer manhole cover on one of the streets downtown you might be surprised to hear the sound of rushing water.  Many years ago, in the latter half of the 1900’s, Toronto residents and officials agreed that there was a need for better sanitation as well as clean drinking water.  The city built water filtration plants and a sewer system, using those old waterways.  It only made sense then, seemingly an affordable way to improve Toronto.  The plants and system are the reason that many of those old waterways are no longer seen.  There are actually a group of people working together to find the lost waterways, the pathways that the ice age created.

While these hidden and “lost” waterways are fascinating, interesting to explore and a great part of Toronto’s history they may mean a leaky basement in your future.

Toronto rivers under the city

Risk of Basement Leaking Rises

Basements leak for a few reasons; all of them include water close to the foundation of your home.  For some local residents those hidden waterways are actually beside or under the foundation of their home meaning they have a “high” water table.  This high water table increases the chance of your basement leaking and leaking often.  For some homeowners, leaking may only occur when the area is over saturated with rains, almost flood like conditions.  If you’re one of those homeowners living within distance of a hidden waterway or even on top of one, it doesn’t take a flood to make your basement leak.  If you live among the paths of these waterways, the odds that your basement will eventually flood are incrementally higher.  Basement leaks never get better on their own.

What to Look For

If you see leaking at the base of the basement wall (i.e., where the wall and floor meet) or if you basement leaks often those waterways may be contributing to those leaks.  If you have block walls in your basement is water may actually be wicking in through those blocks.  Cement blocks are porous and when the blocks fill up the water has no place to go but in the house.  If you pull storage items or boxes away from the wall and see stains on the wall or on the items the odds that your basement is leaking are pretty good.  A normal basement leak typically occurs when the ground is over saturated.  Most homeowners only have to worry during and after periods of heavy rain.  Most Toronto residents worry pretty frequently.

The Don Valley river in Toronto

The Cost

Long term leaks damage your home.  Basements often hold many storage items and in some cases memories of days gone by.  Memories can’t be replaced and those leaks can destroy them forever.  Not only can water cause damage to your items it can also damage the structure of your home.  Another way water can take a toll is on your health.  Mold can be hazardous to your help in certain situations and if you have allergies, you know the toll it takes.

What to Do

The situation is not hopeless!  There are basement waterproofing options that provide a permanent solution to the problem.  When you have your basement repaired by a contractor whose expertise is waterproofing they are experienced in dealing with your situation.  Not only do they provide a permanent solution, they are able to provide long term warranties.  As always, you want to hire an expert.  Your basement waterproofing professional should have a business history, more than a few years, they should be insured and they should have references.

A Dry Basement

The benefit of having a dry basement can’t be underrated.  You’ll be adding usable space to your home.  Once you’ve solved those nagging basement leaks you can feel confident in finishing your basement and enjoy your basement, even if you’re sitting on top of one of our wonderful, historic waterways!

Have questions about your leaky basement?  If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, give Nusite a call and schedule your free inspection and estimate today.

 

image credit

 

 

5 Simple Tasks to Avoid Household Water Damage

Fixing water leaks around the homeWater damage occurs in a number of vicious ways. From leaky pipes to cracks in a home’s foundation, water is determined to find its way inside and wreak havoc. It’s in its nature to do so and it’s in ours to prevent it from happening.

It’ll happen when you least expect it and even sometimes right in front of your face. The key fundamental to beat household water damage isn’t to just fight back, but to think ahead. Avoiding it altogether is way better than fighting the hassles of a water damaged household later on.

Plant Greenery around Your Home

Homes that reside in areas that receive an ample amount of rain or have poor drainage systems, tend to have water linger around the exterior, sometimes in puddles or small ponds. This gives water a chance to seep into the home’s foundation and into the basement. Not to mention, the longer water sits and soaks into the ground, the more it loosens the soil up, which means the ground can alter to cause foundation damage and even more water damage.

One way to dispose of this excess water is to plant shrubs, flowers and other greenery. Plants love water and will be able to absorb some of the excess water sitting around the home. However, this probably won’t be enough to avoid water damage from a larger excess of water, since plants can only soak up so much before becoming waterlogged. At this point, it’s somewhat pointless, since water still lingers around the home and the plants have too much water, which is why it’s also a good idea to…

 

Funnel Water Away from Your Home

Water lingers as a result of improper drainage. A home’s drainage system starts on the roof and doesn’t end until water completely drains away from the home.

  • Check Gutters:  The roof drains water into the gutters and if gutters aren’t clean, then that drastically puts a dampener on a home’s drainage system. The stagnant water adds extra weight to the gutters and gives time for the water to find a way into the roof. If the roof is also in need of repair, then this allows for much easier access.
  • Gutter Extensions:  Okay, so the gutters are clean, but now the water lingers around the base of the home and the plants can’t soak it all up. Add extensions to the gutters to funnel the roof water away from the home. If you’re worried about having ugly plastic drain pipes running across your yard, then place them underground. This may also help with better drainage anyway.
  • Create Trenches:  Your gutters are clean and you installed extensions, but water still lingers around your home. The gutters take care of roof water and the plants still can’t soak up all the water around the base of the home. Create additional downward paths, trenches or pipes that drain the water properly away from your home.

Seal Doors and Windows

The tiniest crack or space in a window or door is all that is needed for water or moisture to infiltrate a home. This is especially dangerous for double-paned windows. If the outer glass or frame has a crack, then moisture seeps in and condensation forms in between the window panes. Basement windows and window wells are also a target for water to enter into a home. These windows are sometimes on ground level, which means water in the soil has a greater chance of leaking into the basement.

Buy a Dehumidifier

It’s important to keep a house’s humidity level around 50% or less. Too much humidity means an abundance of moisture inside a home. If you’re unsure of your home’s current humidity level, use a hygrometer to get an accurate reading. If the level is too high, then purchase a dehumidifier to lower your home’s humidity level.

Clean Your Pipes

Leaky pipes are major contributors to water damage. Leaks can occur from many cases, but one way to prevent these from happening is to have healthy pipes. If you clean your pipes frequently, there will be less build up and fewer clogs. Less strain and pressure will be on the pipes and they will be more resilient to potential problems in the future.

 

Be proactive in your maintenance

Water damage occurs in several ways and sometimes it’s difficult keeping up and maintaining your home to prevent it. Although much time and effort is required, it will certainly save you further time and effort down the road if faced with the wrath of water damage. At that point, there won’t be much you can do except call a professional. In the meantime, do the simple things yourself to prevent these potential threats.

Iron Bacteria: The Orange Sludge In Your Basement

iron bacteria in toronto basement Is that orange sludge in my basement dangerous?

Did you ever dig down into a pool of water and find an orange sludge where ferrous iron was present? While it’s not dangerous as such, it does impart an unpleasant taste, appear oily and look like unprocessed sewage. We usually find this frequently in older Toronto basements, especially leaky basements.  Many homeowner insurance policies don’t cover this in the small print.

While Iron Bacteria (for this is what the orange sludge is) are not injurious to human health, they do stain water a rusty brown – and anything else they come in contact with like clothes and soft furnishings.

Iron Bacteria Facts

Iron bacteria are living micro-organisms that oxidise rusty iron that’s dissolved in water. They do this by attaching themselves to the iron object the water’s passing through. This could be a supply pipe or a sump pump. It could equally be a rusty piece of iron outside your basement in the backfill.

They are also prolific procreators of their species. In no time at all they’ll have babies attached on their backs. Within months the colony becomes a plaque-like biofilm. The inhabitants have found a place where they can live off rusty water, in the same we survive by breathing oxygen.

iron bacteria in richmond hill home

How the Problem Starts

While iron bacteria are naturally present in ferrous rocks (for example those containing manganese) chopping up a basement floor to install drainage introduces the oxygen they need to thrive on. All that’s needed is a piece of rusty iron left behind, or even exposed rebar cause by inadequate concrete pours.

Builders frequently exacerbate the problem by installing open drains inside basements to take bacteria-rich water away. Iron bacteria just love oxygen-rich environments like these. This adds power to the argument that the only way to stop water-penetration professionally, is outside basement walls.

Ways of Dealing with the Problem

If you have iron bacteria in your water-supply my advice is to stay away from chemicals that could be compounds of acids, disinfectants and biocides. These may well treat the symptoms, but they’re the last thing you want entering nearby streams and ponds. If you have a septic tank they’ll also kill it stone dead, which is a whole lot worse than something harmless, except that it looks like orange sludge.

It’s far more responsible to pump water that’s 140° hot through the system. This effectively pasteurizes the bacteria and kills them stone dead. You don’t need a high-pressure pump to do this. Your diesel-fired burner, 300 psi delivery and a handy bleed point are all you need.

Conclusion of the Matter

While iron bacteria isn’t necessarily dangerous to human health, it is an annoyance and can can effect the water quality in your home if left untreated.  If you see that orange sludge throughout your basement, it may be a sign that you have water problems and may need to call in a professional to find the source of your leaky basement.

Have questions about water or mold in your basement?  Contact us here, we’re happy to answer any questions.