basement waterproofing

What is the Best Basement Waterproofing System?

When it comes to waterproofing your basement in Toronto, there are three common methods. These are exterior waterproofing, interior weeping tile, and crack injection.  Which one you use will depend on your home, any surrounding obstacles as well as your budget.  There are a variety of basement waterproofing methods that will work, though only one of them is actually considered waterproofing by definition.

The Most Effective Basement Waterproofing Method

The most effective waterproofing method is exterior waterproofing as it’s the only method which fully waterproofs a home’s foundation. The exterior wall is sealed and a French drain system, also known as a curtain drain or footing drain is installed. If this method isn’t an option due to access to the exterior or your budget, then the interior weeping tile is recommended.  Interior waterproofing methods are usually used when the exterior is inaccessible like we have with cramped yards here in Toronto, or when cost is a factor.

The interior method utilizes drainage in the basement as a way to control the water by removing it with a sump pump. The crack injection is more of a temporary band-aid solution and is recommended for just small cracks. The water could still seep into the concrete behind the cracks with this method and the foundation may erode over time. The best way to find out which type of system you need is to contact a professional waterproofing company.

Basement waterproofing systems Toronto

Toronto Basement With Interior Weeping Tile System

Exterior Excavation
The best way to keep water out of a basement in the first place is via exterior excavation to the bottom of the home’s foundation and around the perimeter of the home. The proper type of drainage system is installed and the walls are treated to keep water at bay. Structural engineers believe this is the best option since it keeps water out rather than simply controlling it. A good waterproofing company will examine your crawl space or basement to get to the root of the problem and then suggest the best solution for your specific needs.

With exterior waterproofing, a waterproof membrane or coating is topped by drainage panels. The water flows freely down the panels to the exterior French drain system which sits at the bottom of the home’s foundation. The water is moved a safe distance away from the foundation via a sump pump or by gravity and it is removed through a storm drain, dry well, drainage ditch, or a low-lying area of the property. The French drain is basically a trench which is slightly sloped and filled with gravel and perforated piping to divert the water. The pipe is wrapped in a water-permeable material to keep debris out of it.

Interior Weeping Tile Systems
Water seeps into basements through porous cement-based floors and walls if there’s nowhere else for the liquid to go. If an exterior excavation isn’t possible the next best solution is the interior weeping tile method, which is basically an interior French drain system. Water applies powerful hydrostatic pressure against a basement floor and walls and if it can’t seep through them it will pool at the bottom of the walls and can gradually seep through the inside surface. An interior weeping tile system doesn’t technically waterproof a basement, but it effectively controls the water and channels it away.

A trench needs to be dug around the basement’s perimeter, approximately 18 inches from the walls and to below the footings. Weeping tile is installed and covered with gravel before the floor is re-poured. A sump pump is placed at the end of the weeping tile and removes the water. The weeping tiles attract the water since it gravitates to the lowest point. The water is then carried away before it can rise over the footings and the end result is a dry basement.

Crack Injection
Like the interior weeping tile system, crack injection is really a water-control system not a method of waterproofing. However, it’s a common and inexpensive way for homeowners to seal small cracks in a building’s foundation. This is more or less just a temporary or band-aid solution to keep water out of the basement though as you’re just sealing the cracks. The crack injection method doesn’t get to the root or cause of the problem as it just deals with the result of it. Water will continue to try to find a way to seep into the basement and it can eventually choose a different route.

For more information on wet and leaking basements and the proper solutions for them please feel free to contact us at Nusite Waterproofing. We are glad to provide our Toronto area customers with free home inspections and estimates and will work hand in hand with you to decide on the best option for your unique situation and budget.

About Nusite waterproofing

Nusite Waterproofing Contractors has been providing basement waterproofing in Toronto for over 30 years.  We are a family business and take pride in our level of customer service as well as our professional work.  You can contact us here to schedule a free consultation and written estimate.

Does Interior Basement Waterproofing Work?

When it comes to waterproofing your basement there are two ways to go which are interior and exterior methods. Interior waterproofing works, particularly the weeping tile method but exterior waterproofing is still the best option available as water won’t be able to permeate the structure’s foundation walls and is the only solution that protects your foundation from water permeation.

Interior waterproofing is really more of a water or moisture control system. The interior system utilizes drainage as a way to control any water which makes its way into your basement and directs it away, usually via a sump pump. In reality, water is entering the building and is being pumped out.

However with exterior waterproofing, the outside is excavated to the bottom of the home’s foundation and a drainage system is installed to help stop water from entering it in the first place. Naturally, waterproofing is a sounder option when compared to water control and also naturally it will cost more to have done.

Interior water control systems are easier to install and don’t require as much time, labour, materials and equipment which keeps the costs lower. That being said, interior waterproofing may be the best solution for some homes. Here in Toronto, some homes may not allow proper access to dig out the exterior of the foundation so an interior waterproofing solution is required.   The only way to find out is to have your home inspected by a professional waterproofing company to discover the root of your problem.

 

Exterior Waterproofing

This is basically your home’s first defense against invading water. Even things such as downspouts and gutters can be considered part of the exterior method since they collect water and help lead it away from your house. You can have a waterproof and sealing membrane installed around your home’s foundation to keep moisture at bay and you can also install an exterior drainage system such as a French drain or weeping tiles. To install a drainage system it means the home must be excavated to a certain level.

Drain tiles are then installed into a trench which has been dug around the structure. It’s surrounded with gravel and covered by soil. The tiles are designed to transport water away from the home’s foundation which means it’s chances of getting into the basement are almost non-existent. This method costs more than interior waterproofing since it requires more materials, time and labour. It keeps the foundation dry though and keeps it from weakening and becoming damaged or cracked.

Exterior waterproofing Toronto

Exterior Waterproofing Toronto

Interior Waterproofing

This method takes away water from the basement and the home. An interior drainage system such as weeping tile can be used with drains and pipes and pump it out from a pit or basin in the basement. A sump pump can be made to automatically start when the water in the basin or pit reaches a specific level. It’s a good idea to have a back-up battery with the sump pump in case of a power failure.

Another interior waterproofing system consists of vapour barriers made of foil or plastic sheets. These are installed along the basement walls to help keep moisture out. Interior methods try to seal leaks and cracks to keep your basement dry. It can be an ideal temporary solution and is often the best choice when it’s not possible to excavate. However, exterior waterproofing is certainly a more effective answer since it’s a permanent solution.

Interior waterproofing Toronto

Interior basement waterproofing Toronto

About Nusite waterproofing

Nusite Contractors is a Toronto waterproofing company that has been providing waterproofing and foundation repairs in Toronto for over 30 years.

If you have any questions or would like more information regarding the various interior and exterior waterproofing methods available please feel free to contact our professional team of experts at Nusite Contractors.

Can I Waterproof an Older Foundation?

Do you have an old foundation that is leaking water?  Due to the age of many Toronto homes, leaking basements are a common problem, especially in homes with older foundations.

Foundations really only become a waterproofing problem if there’s a basement concealed within them. If water leaks through the foundation and into the basement, the solution depends on the materials used to build it. In this article we discuss what to do if your foundation is an older stone, brick or cinder-block type. In some cases traditional methods may be inadvisable, especially if the foundation rests on a gravel bed.

Notwithstanding this restriction, there are a number of ways to improve the water-resistance of old foundations. It can be best to tackle the job in phases as the first step we recommend is simple, and may be sufficient to do the trick. If not, you can add other layers of protection until you solve the problem.

Phase 1 – Get Rid of Surface Water

The water has to come from somewhere and there’s a good chance it comes from rain that’s making its way into the ground around your foundation. The main culprit is most likely to be the roof, because the gutters discharge in such concentrated places. However it can also flow across the ground if the yard slops towards the house. Solving this is simple and usually well within the scope of a fit homeowner.

  • Create a natural fall from the house so rainwater can’t get trapped and pool before it soaks into the foundations

 

  • Build a concrete or grouted brick path around the house that extends a few feet beyond the eaves. Grade this gently to encourage water to flow away from your foundation.

 

  • Check that the gutters are in good condition and discharge smoothly. Lay open drains from the bottom of the gutter down pipes to a point six feet away from your foundation.

With these strategies in place it’s possible that you have removed the causes of your problem and that your basement cellar will dry out naturally next summer.

Old stone foundation in Toronto home

Phase 2 – Tackle the Groundwater Next

If your damp problem continues, (although it should be considerably less by now) then the source of the remaining damp may be flowing through the ground. Unfortunately your foundation wall may not be sufficiently robust to expose it, in which case you may need to dig a trench around the inside perimeter of your foundation, lay a french drain system (also called a Weeping Tile System)along the bottom and top it up with coarse gravel.

This should hold the groundwater in the trench where you can pump it out (or lead it naturally away if the land allows for this). With a little bit of luck this, and the surface water strategy mentioned previously will completely solve the problem, because there is no water left to seep into your cellar.  The only thing to know is that when you install an interior French Drain/Weeping Tile system, the water is still coming in through your foundation, it is just being managed when it comes in and diverted away from your basement.  Over the long term you can still see foundation erosion issues due to this ongoing water issue with your foundation.  An exterior French Drain/Weeping Tile system as catch the water before it hits your foundation and divert the water away and saving your foundation.

brick foundation in toronto home

Phase 3 – Tackle the Problem from the Outside

If none of these remedies work then your last option is to waterproof your foundation from the outside.  This would consist of an exterior French Drain/Weeping Tile system along with digging around the outside of your foundation and applying a waterproofing membrane to the exterior of your foundation.

While exterior waterproofing is the most expensive option it is also the only 100% way to full waterproof your basement and protect the integrity of your foundation over the long term.

Do you live in Toronto and have an older foundation?  Not sure what’s the best method to stop water leaking through it?  Give us a call at 416-622-7000, we provide a free in-home inspection and estimate.  Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.

Why Your Window Well Is Causing Basement Leaks

window well in Toronto basementIs your window well causing your basement to leak?

Window wells are a common cause of a leaking basement.  Over the years, we’ve responded to thousands of leaky basement calls in Toronto and many of them had the window well to blame.  From poor drainage, to lack of maintenance, a window well needs to to properly installed and cared for if you want it to perform properly.

Basements are usually built below ground level, unless the home is built on a slope with a walkout basement, then only part of it may be underground. This can make them dark, depressing places where no light penetrates and fresh air cannot enter. The solution is to dig downwards and expose sufficient space to install a window that connects the basement to the outside world.

Architects call these holes “window wells”. Perhaps that’s because they look a little like water-wells from a distance. The similarity should end there. Unfortunately, window wells are also perfect receptacles for rainwater, and have been known to fill completely until overflowing. When this happens, water pressure explores cracks and crevices under hydrostatic pressure, until it finds a way into the basement.

Things to Do About the Problem of a Leaking Window Well

Window wells provide a classic approach-avoidance dilemma. On the one hand, you want your basement open to light and air. On the other, you want it to stay dry when it rains. There are several things that you can do about this, starting with one that’s theoretically simple, but may be difficult to achieve.

Creating a window well as a means of egress

Install a Drain at the Bottom of the Window Well

Don’t be tempted to simply lay a gravel floor at the bottom of the hole, as some builders may advise. This may be adequate in a drizzle and could even work in steady rain (at least until the gravel gets blocked with leaves). Eventually, you’ll have a cloudburst that causes the window well to fill up. You know what happens next!

There’s only one correct solution, and that’s a decent drain that discharges water from the window well, and away from your foundation.  This can be accomplished using gravity or an electric pump.

Fit a Cover Over the Window Well

It can be more practical to roof over the window well, although this does restrict the amount of light and air filtering through. Many firms supply covers made of glass with opening window panes. Some work extremely well, although they do require regular maintenance.

This care ranges from the obvious like cleaning the glass panes regularly; to the important task of making sure the seals on glass panes are intact. The design is “borrowed” from traditional vertical sashes and is almost made to fail. You could also fit a solid glass dome although that largely defeats the object of the exercise.

creating a decorative garden in window well

Window wells are imperfect solutions to an almost unavoidable problem. When properly designed and maintained properly, they can work extremely well. However when they start causing basement leaks, neglect and improper drainage can result in very expensive repairs down the road.

Do you have problems with your window well?  Is it leaking or causing cracks in your foundation?  Nusite Group provides to free inspection and estimate to homeowners in Toronto and across the GTA.  You can contact us here.

How Do You Waterproof a Basement From The Inside?

Homes in Toronto will have water problems in their basement at one time or another.  Due to the age of the homes in Toronto and the extreme weather conditions, water leaking into the basement is a fact of life for many Toronto home owners.

When water does leak into the basement, the questions that come up are, “where is the leak coming from?” and “How does it get fixed?”

Exterior vs Interior Basement Waterproofing

Although you can attempt to waterproof a basement from the inside the only true way to achieve success is to do it from the outside using exterior waterproofing solutions. If you try the concrete crack injection or repair method you’re not really achieving much other than temporarily plugging the leak. It’s also usually a more temporary solution as water is still fighting to get into your basement and will eventually either defeat the epoxy you injected or find another way into your basement.  Water will find the path of least resistance.   A crack in the concrete can result in water damage to the interior of your home and it can also corrode steel reinforcements and erode the concrete over time.

Crack Injection

Epoxy injection is sometimes used to help restore the integrity and strength of cracked concrete. The cracks are filled with adhesive epoxy from the inside but it’s a relatively ineffective method of waterproofing since water can often seep through the substance. This is basically a hit and miss waterproofing method and it’s difficult for it to be 100 per cent effective since the epoxy can also eventually crack.  This could be a solution or situations where you have very light and occasional leaks, but would not be suggested if you have a finished basement.

Waterproofing Paints and Coatings

There are also several types of waterproof paints and coatings on the market but many of them quickly blister and flake off the basement walls. All leaks should be properly repaired before you apply any type of waterproof paint, tar or other coating to them. Most waterproofing paints are just a covering and they aren’t able to penetrate deep enough to be effective and are just temporary solutions which typically last between six months to two years at the most.

Interior Weeping Tile Systems

If an exterior waterproofing solution can’t be used (Due to cost, exterior access, etc) then an interior weeping tile system is the best option but it doesn’t technically waterproof a basement. Instead, it will effectively channel away water which enters the basement. A drainage system made of plastic pipe with holes punched in it is installed outside the bottom of your basement walls. Dirt is kept out as the pipe is wrapped by a water-permeable sock or sheet. However, the tiles may eventually become clogged and water may still find its way into the basement and will need to be continuously pumped out so it’s important to have a backup sumo pump system installed.

The Preferred Basement Waterproofing Solution

The best solution for waterproofing a basement is to install an exterior weeping tile system on the outside of the building’s foundation along with applying a waterproofing membrane to the exterior of your foundation walls. This method will remove water buildup from the outside of the structure and safely carry it away before it can cause damage. The exterior weeping tile method is somewhat similar to the interior weeping tile system but the water is carried away before is seeps into the foundation walls. An exterior weeping tile system is a pretty big task since the building’s foundation needs to be dug out.

The “weeping tile” is actually 4” diameter plastic pipe with holes punched into it. The water finds its way into the pipe through these holes and is discharged naturally through the graded system or pumped away with a sump pump. When properly installed, exterior weeping tile systems generally work effectively for several years.

About Nusite Waterproofing

Nusite Waterproofing has been providing basement waterproofing services in Toronto and the GTA for over 35 years.  We are a family owned business and provide free in-home estimates and consultations for basement waterproofing and foundation repairs.  Contact us today for a free estimate.