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.

 

 

Detecting Water Leaks In Your Basement

leaking basement where foundation meets first floorWinter in Toronto is cold and wet.  The thawing periods in between the freezing weather is where many basement starts to show signs of leaks. AS accumulated snow and ice start to melt, it makes it’s way into the earth, leading to basement leaks. Of course,  It can come from a number of areas, including sources inside your home.  Each problem has it’s own potential solution,

Almost every basement leaks from time to time, especially if it’s never been properly waterproofed from the exterior. It’s a natural phenomenon because building materials are porous unless treated properly, and structural cracks develop as the ground settles over time. This leaves important clues for anybody who knows what they are about. You just need to think logically about what causes dampness, and which of the following apply to you:

1- If your basement ceiling is moist then the water is likely coming from a drain or water pipe above, that could have sprung a leak. Alternatively, your problem could be the consequence of warmer air condensing on cooler pipes and dripping down. These are simple problems the average home handyman can probably fix themselves.

2- Surface water is a common cause of signs of damp on upper basement walls. It’s often caused by rain and flooding. If you allow water to pool on the surface, then the earth will absorb it because that’s what soil does. Where else do you think tree roots get their water from? It’s easy to figure out you need to lead storm water away from the walls of your house, especially near your basement location.

 

If the surface slopes towards your home then you need to re-grade it to a fall of one inch to one foot away from it. It will help greatly if you pave the immediate area too. This should deal effectively with damp showing in the upper parts of your basement walls. Don’t forget to clean out your window wells at the same time too.

 

  1. Ground water is usually the driver behind damp on lower basement walls and floors. This is moisture that travels through natural earth strata from elsewhere to your home. If your house is standing on a rise you shouldn’t have it. If it’s in a hollow then it’s inevitably there in winter. This is what causes damp on lower walls, and seepage through the joint between the walls and floor.

This is a tougher nut to crack, especially because problems behind walls and under floors that are hard to get to. If the leakage is radical you might have to excavate from outside and install the drainage systems builders call french drains and weeping tiles. If it’s minor, then a sump pump system might suffice.

It’s simpler when you understand the basics. However many of the cases we’ve dealt with had multiple causes that overlap. The best course of action is to look for the simple solutions and work your way back. If problems persist you’ll most likely want to call in a basement waterproofing company to conduct a full assessment of your water problems.

 

Is My Sump Pump Broken?

Sump pump installed in Toronto homeIt’s a homeowner’s nightmare, you come home after a relaxing vacation to find out that your sump pump quit on you, leaving you with a lovely welcome home present, a wet basement.

Unless a basement is professionally constructed with external french drains and thorough waterproofing, it’s bound to leak to an extent. This problem is especially prevalent in older homes where poorly-compacted earth may gradually subside. While quality sump pumps may seem to purr on endlessly, the time does eventually come when water starts pooling on the basement floor again.

When this happens the problem may not lie with the pump itself, because it is part of a system and the cause of the stoppage may lie elsewhere. It’s absolutely vital to remember that electricity and water do not mix. Make sure the power is turned off and the pump disconnected before you start. Never touch an electrical appliance with both hands if you have the slightest doubt.

Electrical Checks

Power supply is the logical place to start. However this is also the area where the greatest caution is required. If the sump pump is hard-wired to the mains distribution board you need to ask an electrician to perform tests. They will be able to confirm the integrity of the connection, or whether there is an electrical problem with the pump itself.

If your sump pump is of the plug-in variety (not generally recommended) then you can substitute another appliance that you know is working, and easily confirm whether there’s power to the pump or not. If it turns out that there are power supply problems or the pump is electrically faulty, then this is a job that needs the attention of a professional. If not, then here are a few other things that you could attempt.

Mechanical Integrity

Fill the sump with clean water and turn on the power. Does the pump start and run smoothly? If not, there are several lines of thought to follow:

  • If the pump doesn’t start then there may be a problem with the float valve. Lift it gently using a wood or plastic rod. If this causes the pump to start then the float valve is either stuck or dirty. Remember to turn off the power before you investigate.

 

  • If the pump is noisy or runs unevenly then you may be faced with a broken impeller or worn bearings. This is a job for someone with technical experience. It may be cheaper and quicker to install a new sump pump.

 

  • If the pump runs smoothly but the water level is unaffected then water is not passing through it to the drains. Locate the one-way valve a little thicker than the pipe on the delivery side. Disconnect the valve on the pump side. Loosely cover the exposed pipe end with a damp cloth and run the pump for just a second.

 

  • If the pump delivers water smoothly then your one-way valve is faulty and should be replaced. If not, then there is a stoppage in the pump itself. This could be a blocked filter which you should be able to clear easily. If not, then you’ve spent enough time on this one. Buy a new pump for the electrician to install. The old one belongs with the garbage!

Don’t always blame your handy little sump pump when water pools on your basement floor. There could be any one of a number of other things behind the problem. We recommend you test your sump pump from time to time during the dry season, and you have the time to repair and troubleshoot. The last thing you need on a cold and rainy Toronto day is a flooded basement.

 

 

Checklist For Winterizing Your Toronto Home [infographic]

So far this Fall we’ve been pretty lucky up here weather wise in Toronto.  With a warmer than usual Fall and being fortunate enough to miss hurricane Sandy’s ugly path, Winter still seems like it’s a ways off from us.  But we all know that Canadian Winter is coming, she’s just taking her time this year.

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to spend a weekend afternoon going through your home and preparing it for the coming cold.  As a waterproofing company here in Toronto, one of the most important steps you can take as far as avoiding water leaks in your basement over the Winter is to examine and clean out your gutters before the snow and ice come.

Some of the things you should check for are making sure the Fall leaves have been removed and won’t clog your downspouts.  If water and ice start to accumulate due to a clogged downspout, you run the risk of water leaking over the top of the gutter (or through cracks and leaks that develop) and that water accumulating around the perimeter of your home.  What happens is that on warmer Winter days, that accumulated water starts to make its way through the tiny cracks in your basement’s foundation.  Also make sure that your downspout extensions are directed far enough away from your home so water doesn’t start to accumulate in the soil around your foundation.

While we are the waterproofing experts here in Toronto, there are other things you should do before the freeze sets in.  Check out this infographic courtesy of elocal.com for a quick and handy checklist of things you should do to Winterize your home.

Winter checklist Toronto home

Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding [free pdf download]

The North East of the Americas have experienced a record number of storms this season, resulting in billions on property damage and loss of personal memories that can’t be replaced.  Here in Toronto, while we experienced quite a bit of flooding, we were luckily spared from most of the damage.  We wanted to introduce everyone to a really useful guide available to residents from The Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction

This helpful guide, sponsored by the Canadian insurance industry and produced in collaboration with the University of Ontario, is available for free via a pdf download (see the link at the end of the article). It’s packed brim full with everything you need to know about reducing the risk of basement flooding, and recovering from it when it happens.

It’s laid out like a reference book with handy summaries in the index, content that’s easy to understand, helpful diagrams, and even a glossary of terms you might not know. It puts you in a picture to either do the work yourself, or to negotiate with a tradesperson from a position of knowledge.

Format of the Book

The Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding is built around twenty projects, twelve of which are within the reach of most Canadian householders. The author calls these “options” because not all of them apply to every home. The book starts with a general introduction to the three main reasons why basements flood, and the principles behind avoiding this.

The twelve basic options are all intensely practical. They range from preventative measures (like fixing cracks and watching what goes down the sink), to sensible things like having a risk-assessment done, getting insurance in place and chatting with the local municipality.

The other eight options are more technical in nature, and will likely require expert intervention. Nonetheless, the knowledge gained by reading them will go a long way towards spotting cowboy contractors and avoiding scams.

There are five drawings in the Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding that illustrate the primary causes and solutions, and how the twenty options fit into the bigger picture. It’s a good idea to print these out and have them available as you read the other content. You’ll be sure to want to pass this essential information on to others.

 

You can download the Handbook for Reducing Basement Flooding Here

How do I Find the Source of my Basement Leak?

It’s easy to know a basement’s leaking when there’s water running down the walls, or pooling on the floor. It can be more difficult to find the source of the problem though. As a waterproofing contractor in The Bay Area, we are often called in to find the source of a basement leak after the homeowner has tried unsuccessfully to find the source.  The following advice is pitched at the level of the novice, or DIY family handyman. Anything more than that and you’re better off to call in a professional waterproofing contractor, before the inconvenience turns to permanent damage.

  1. Check the Ceiling First – If you spot any ceiling stains this must be where you look first – before you blame the walls for water running down them (or the floor because of pooling water). There is no substitute for a comprehensive inspection. If there’s a false ceiling under the concrete slab or rafters, you must remove this in its entirety so you can look properly.

 

  1. Inspect the Plumbing – Water has an amazing ability to travel almost anywhere because it’s so slippery. In fact it’s even been known to travel uphill for a short distance because of capillary action. Check every joint on your plumbing and appliances thoroughly. Be aware that metal failure does eventually follow on from vibration.

 

  1. Spot the Efflorescence – Don’t stress, this is just the white power that results from interaction between water, and bricks or concrete. Brush away the powder (it’s harmless although you might like to wear protection), then tape a piece of cooking-foil across the center of the area. Remove the foil a day later and examine it. If there’s moisture where it pressed against the wall you’ve got a basement leak. If not, the efflorescence is caused by humidity in the air.

 

  1. Look for Wall Cracks – Where these exist (and there’s water seeping through them) you’ll generally spot them easily because liquid follows gravity, and runs straight down a smooth wall. If not, abandon your cursory search and divide the area into an imaginary grid. Start by looking at the top, then work your way down progressively to the floor.

 

  1. Check for Peeling Paint – The hydrostatic pressure of water weeping through a wall is powerful enough to lift the paint off. While you’re inspecting for cracks, also check for any sign of mold, because this will only grow where a wall is damp.

 

  1. Finally, Examine the Floor – If you can’t find a leaky ceiling or damp walls, then the water laying on the floor is welling through it on account of hydrostatic pressure from below. Tell-tale clues of the location of this include lifting floor tiles or a squelchy floor covering. If there’s anything standing on the spot that’s made of metal, it will have started rusting too.

What to do About It?

Now that you’ve found the source of the water leak, your next step should be to do something about it. That’s because over time, water seeping through a building degrades the structure permanently. Before you attempt to fix a leak at the point that it appears, remember that the only way to do this properly is at the source. And if that source is on the outside of a buried basement wall, you may be just a little way out of your depth.  A qualified waterproofing contractor can conduct an inspection, and lay out several possible solutions for you to examine.

 

 

How to Fix a Humid Basement

Humidity is an expression of the amount of water in the air. Humidity tends to increase during hot summer months, and is can be found indoors in any climate, especially like here on Toronto where we tend to have cold Winters and sometimes Scorching Summers with lots of rain and climate swings in between. We feel uncomfortable when the ambient humidity is high because it reduces the effectiveness of the natural cooling process we call sweating. The higher the ambient humidity level, the happier mould becomes though. And that’s a double-bind that’s best avoided at any time.

Mold in finished basement Toronto

Our basements are mini climatic systems too (although builders set out to ensure they remain as dry as deserts). That’s because the earth we build on is dynamic, and heaves and shifts naturally as its own moisture levels vary. And as it does so, it exerts massive pressure on our basement structures. The almost inescapable result is cracking, followed inevitably by water seepage.

Your Basement – A Lifelong Project

If you have a basement that’s completely watertight, then count yourself among the lucky ones. That’s because, when soil is saturated with rainwater, it’s as good as having a dam outside, thanks to force of hydrostatic pressure. Few cement-based building materials are one hundred per cent waterproof either. True foundation waterproofing uses rubber membranes on the exterior of the home. When you think about it, that’s why we build houses above the ground on foundations, and set roofs on top of them.

Finished basement with musty odour

Your Counter Measures

  1. Detect the Signs – The first thing you need to do is keep your nose tuned in to the slightest distinctive whiff of dampness, humidity or mould downstairs. When you detect something like that, it’s time to conduct a visual examination. That mould or damp spot has to be someplace, and that’s somewhere near the root cause too.

 

  1. Find the Spot – It’s important to remember that damp and humidity vary according to the season, and what’s happening on the far side of the basement. When it’s present on the walls it shows as a blush of water, a trickle or a dribble. On the floor, things are simpler because it forms a puddle somewhere or soaks the flooring above it.

 

  1. Detect the Source – If water’s dripping through the ceiling, it’s likely caused by a leaky pipe upstairs. If it appears on a wall instead, then that wall is either cracked, or the moisture is following a gap caused by an intruding pipe, or during the building process. Water on the floor is either the result of those wall or ceiling leaks, or caused by a more serious problem because you have water welling up from down below.

 

  1. Fix the Problem – While it is possible to seal a tiny crack from inside (although this is never a permanent solution) more serious basement damp problems require professional solutions that involve tackling the problem at its source – and that’s inevitably beyond the walls or below the floor.

We wish we could be more positive about the “instant solutions” offered on the internet and in hardware stores. At best, they conceal the problem while the hidden damage worsens. Using a dehumidifier can reduce the dampness in the basement, but it won’t fix the problem and will leave you with another daily chore of emptying the tank every day.

 

 

Use a Sump Pump to Avoid Basement Flooding

Water is a mighty powerful and persistent thing. It’s carved out canyons and has flooded huge cities. Allow it drip for long enough and it will punch a hole through granite. When it comes to your basement – if there’s a way for water to find it’s through, trust me, it will discover it and you’ll soon have a leaking basement  problem.

That’s why so many of San Francisco’s basements suffer from some form of basement water problem. Causes of this can range from leaking water wells and cracked walls, to porous and cracked floors. Left untended, basement leaks can lead to all kinds of associated problems, ranging from mold and mildew, declining property values, to a family with an entire floor of their home that is unhealthy and unusable.

 

Two Options

There are only two solutions to a leaky basement. The first is to stop the water getting in. The second is to manage it (more about this later). Any competent car mechanic will confirm that the only way to stop an oil leak is at its source. The same applies to basements (choosing a mechanic and a contractor should be taken with equal care).

Unfortunately, when basement water-proofing fails from the interior, there’s no easy way to stop it because the source is on the far side of a brick/concrete wall, or under a concrete foundation deep below the ground. This makes accumulating the water in a hollow called a sump usually the first course of action. When it’s accumulated, you can lead it away with an electric pump.

Sump Pumps

A sump pump is not unlike a water-feature pump in principle, in that it’s connected to an electricity supply, but always under water so it never develops an airlock. The sump is equally simple. It’s just a hollow you could squeeze a beach ball into, and covered over with a lid so everything looks neat and tidy.

The system is controlled by a float that’s not unlike the one in your bathroom toilet (at least in principle again). When the water reaches a set level, a switch turns on the pump for as long as necessary to control the water in the sump. By far the larger challenge is leading the leaking water to the sump in the first place. But that’s a subject for another article.

Do I Need a Sump Pump?

You need a sump pump if there’s an accumulation of water in your basement at any time of year. They’re not all that expensive. Besides, if you ignore the damp, mold could become the least of your problems. Your basement den or bedroom could become permanently uninhabitable. Imagine what that would do to your property valuation, and the value of what is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make.

A Permanent Solution

If you have permanent bronchial problems, you could be living in a damp environment. If your basement is permanently damp, then that’s a sign of a deeper-seated problem too. Once you have successfully stabilized your situation with a sump pump, you really should call in a registered and experienced basement waterproofing expert. They will advise you on a longer term solution that retains the integrity of your home.

 

Steps For Foundation Waterproofing

Over the past 30 years, Nusite Group Contractors has performed several hundred interior and exterior basement waterproofing jobs all over Toronto and the surrounding GTA.  Homeowners that have wet or leaky basements are often confused as to how the waterproofing process works.  While in some cases, an interior waterproofing job is sufficient, often times it will not mask the underlying water problems surrounding your foundation.  In this case, exterior waterproofing is your best bet for doing the job once and for all.

When a basement foundation needs to be waterproofed, a series of steps must be followed sequentially to do it correctly. All repairs and prep work has to be completed before the membrane is applied. The membrane must be made from a quality material. In our case, we use Bakor Waterproofing, which is a superior product and provides excellent and long lasting protection for the basement exterior foundation to prevent further leaks or seepage.

Here are the steps which we take to waterproof a basement foundation.

 #1 Excavate the Basement Foundation

Basement waterproofing membrane being applied to Toronto home

Normally, we excavate the area around the home by hand. We do this because mainly to minimize any potential damage which machinery might cause. However, if it is possible to use machinery to complete the excavation faster, we will do so.

The basement foundation will be excavated down to the footing so the basement walls are completely exposed. We will excavate down to the level of the weeping tiles, or the lowest point of the footings to ensure the footings are at the correct depth. Shoring will be used in some situations to prevent the possibility of a cave-in.

Then, we will use a combination of wire brushing and power washing (only if the wall is a concrete foundation) to clean off the dirt so we can properly evaluate any existing damage to the foundation walls. Once the state and condition of the footings and the foundation of walls has been evaluated, we will begin our repair.

 

#2 Basement Foundation Repairs

Exterior crack being filled on Toronto basement

First, we manually chisel out any visible cracks or gaps in the foundation wall. These gaps and cracks are then filled with a hydraulic concrete to fill all the voids.

Some basement walls may still be rough and uneven. To properly and effectively apply the sealant membrane, we may have to apply a parging coat to properly smooth the walls which may require up to 2 coats. The parging acts as a means to damp proof the foundation walls along with providing a more consistent medium to apply the waterproofing membrane.

 

#3 Apply the Waterproofing Membrane

A waterproofing membrane that has been applied to a Toronto basement foundation

The next step is to apply one of two types of membrane sealants which will be either Aquabloc 720-38 or CM-100 series liquid membrane. Different types of membrane material are required for different types of foundation walls. The important thing to remember is that a waterproofing membrane is the only cost effective and most efficient way to waterproof the exterior basement foundation walls, as some competitors will employ cheaper methods which in fact only damp proof the wall. This approach is far less effective than the waterproofing materials that we use.

The waterproofing material is applied to every square inch of the foundation walls. This membrane is the primary material which waterproofs the foundation walls and prevents water from entering.

The membrane then requires a mesh to hold the material and keep and cracks or gaps effectively sealed. The mesh we use to use reinforce the waterproofing membrane is Yellow Jacket mesh which adheres to the membrane.

 

#4 Apply a Drainage Board Membrane

The next step is to apply a drainage board membrane to the exterior of the waterproofing membrane. This secondary membrane acts as your first defense against water and frost and also protects the waterproofing membrane when the excavated foundation is filled back in.

The drainage board membrane is a dimple board membrane. The dimpling effect provides a space between the waterproofed walls so the dimple membrane has an air space which allows any water that enters the air space to drain effectively to the weeping tile.

After the dimple membrane is applied, it is then sully sealed along the seams. The dimple membrane is then finished with a termination strip at the top of the membrane to tightly seal the membrane and affix it to the wall. We then apply concrete anchors to effectively secure the dimple membrane along the termination strips.

 

#5 Weeping Tile Steps

weeping tiles installed on exterior foundation in Toronto home

Effective drainage is very important to keeping a basement waterproofed, so addressing the weeping tile is the next step which is equally vital to the process because water needs a place to go. There are many different types and sizes of material used for weeping tile.

Regardless of the weeping tile you currently have, it should be replaced with the best possible material. New technology now exists for a more durable and more efficient weeping tile. The weeping tile we usually use is a new form of perforated plastic tile that is covered with a sock. The purpose of the sock is to prevent sand from entering and clogging the tile which make drianage ineffective.

Once the weeping tile is replaced, we then cover it with a landscape fabric and then a clear layer of 6 – 12 inch stones. One thing to keep in mind is that if you also have a window that is within 6 inches of the top of the level grade (meaning after the excavated hole is back-filled), you will also require the installation of a vertical drain which is attached to the weeping tile to ensure effective drainage of any water which might seep in around the window.

 

#6 Backfilling the Excavated Basement Hole

Backfilled foundation on Toronto home

This is the final step to the process and should also be done correctly as it is simply not enough to push the excavated material back into the hole. A compactor must be used to properly tamp down the earth and done in such a manner to avoid any possible damage to gas lines or other underground utility connections. Proper backfilling also allows for proper grading which must be sloped away from the house. It also ensures there are no larger piles of dirt that needs to be settled.

The landscaping can also be repaired by us afterwards, but you should be aware that it can take up to 3 months before the dirt fully settles.

 

So these are the steps taken when performing an exterior basement waterproofing project.  It may seem like alot of work, and it is, but many times it’s the only way to ensure you can enjoy a healthy and dry basement.  To have such a big project performed successfully, make sure the contractor you use is fully qualified and licensed and is using the highest quality materials for the job.  As you can see from these steps, it’s not something you’d want to have to do again.  Have questions about basement waterproofing?  Contact us here, we’re happy to help!