basement waterproofing

How Does an Exterior Weeping Tile System Work?

Here in Toronto, installing weeping tile systems on the exterior of the foundation wall is a must if you will be waterproofing the exterior of your home’s foundation.  Toronto is built on top of a large water aquifer, with hundreds of underground waterways.  Many areas of Toronto also have high water table issues, where a good thunderstorm can wreck havoc on a home’s foundation.  An exterior weeping tile system will remove the water buildup on the outside of your foundation and carry it away safely from your home.

When contractors dig out for a basement, they inevitably remove more earth than is strictly necessary. This could be because the soil is unstable, and they do not want it to collapse against a “raw wall”. It’s usually also to make space for a weeping tile system that can help keep the basement dry forever by removing water from outside your foundation wall so it cannot seep into your basement.

An exterior weeping tile system works in similar fashion as an interior weeping tile system, except that water is removed before it has a chance to seep into your foundation walls. Usually, an interior weeping tile is used when, for whatever reason, the exterior of the foundation cannot be dug out and waterproofed properly.

Finished Weeping Tile

Interior Weeping Tile

 

Once the exterior weeping tile system is installed, contractors backfill the space with the soil they dug out previously. Strictly speaking, they should tamp it down as the wall builds up to ground level – and then cover it with a sloping hard-standing to lead the water away from the foundation. Less diligent contractors simply pour in barrow-loads of loose soil at the end of the job, tidy up, request payment and go.  This will inevitably lead to water build up against your foundation, and eventually more water leaking through the foundation.

Installing an exterior weeping tile system is a fairly big job as you will need to dig out the foundation of your home, which is why it is very (and I stress very) important to have the exterior weeping tile system installed properly the first time as the only remedy for an improperly installed exterior weeping tile system is to dig out the foundation again and fix it.

4-weeping-tiles-foundation-300x199 (2)

Exterior Weeping Tile System

Water inevitably finds its way down into the ground to reach the outside of a basement wall, no matter what a homeowner tries to do. If it’s not percolating down through the backfill, then it’s seeping between the strata towards it anyway. When that happens, you have only two defenses:

        1.  A solid, crack-free, fully waterproofed intact                      structure comprising walls, floor and sometimes concrete ceiling.

        2.  A set of weeping tiles installed all around the outside of the foundation, to lead ground water                  away before it causes damage.

 

*Weeping tiles are an essential belt-and-braces feature of any well-designed basement. That’s because earth expands, shifts and contracts, and inevitably challenges the structure’s own defenses.

 

Diagram of How exterior weeping tile system works

Exterior Weeping Tile System Diagram

How Do Weeping Tiles Work?

Don’t be confused by the term “weeping tile”. Weeping tiles are not tiles at all (although they were once perforated pipes made from clay). These days, weeping tiles are made from 4” diameter plastic pipe regularly punched with holes. The idea being that ground water will find its way into them through the holes, and then follow a gentle incline until it discharges naturally (or enters a sump pump for pumping out).

Before the plastic pipes are buried, they are covered with a long open “sock” or overlapping socks made from rot-proof permeable material. This prevents the earth from clogging up the holes, much in the same way as the original weeping tiles may have kept the underground ditches clear.

Weeping tile systems also need to be graded properly so that water in the pipes will make its way towards the final discharge point.

 

Header-Plugged-With-Gravel-Needs-to-be-Replaced 2 (1)Having Weeping Tile Problems?

This is most likely because the long, open socks (or holes in old clay pipes) have become clogged. These days, this can largely be avoided by covering the pipes with fine gravel. Unfortunately, when they do clog there’s little option but to dig them up and lay in new ones. If installed properly, an exterior weeping tile system should work fine for many years.

 

Have questions about installing an exterior weeping tile system or repairs to your existing system?  Nusite Waterproofing has been installing and repairing exterior weeping tile systems in Toronto for over 30 years.  We have an A+ Rating with the BBB and are a top rated waterproofing company in Toronto on Homestars.  We offer free, in-home estimates and inspections and can point out where and how water is entering your basement.

Why is Water Backing Up From My Basement Drains?

 

It’s one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares… water coming up from the basement drain. Most homeowners forget about the drain in their basement all together until there is a problem.  Here in Toronto, many of the homes were built decades ago and have issues with water entering their basement.  Many areas of Toronto also sit on high water tables which also make the water issues worse than many other areas.  When you walk down your basement stairs to find water in your basement (a little or a lot) you know there is a problem even if you don’t know exactly what it is.

When your basement drain is backing up it is the telltale sign that you have a clogged sewer line.

Clogs in Your Piping System

Clogs in secondary pipes will cause problems in isolated parts of your house. For example, if the clog is in the lines for your bathroom sink you might notice the sink not draining or the bathtub backing up when you run the water, but you can use water in the rest of your house without a problem. When the clog is in your main line any water that you use in the house is going to cause a problem. Your main line is the one that all water and waste existing your house is running through, so when it backs up in one place it is backing up to all the others.

Warning Signs

Obviously if you have water backing up your drains it becomes obvious that you have a problem, but depending on what is causing the clog in your line there might be warning signs you can watch for before you have a major problem on your hands.

  • Gurgling – Many times when a clog is building in your main sewer line you will be able to hear gurgling sounds coming from your toilets and/or sinks.
  • Odor – If your sewer line is becoming clogged you many notice a sewer odor coming from your drains.
  • Slow draining water – the start of a clog can cause the water to drain more slowly from your sinks tubs.

These are warning signs that you don’t want to ignore. If you notice these signs it is best to be proactive about the problem before you have a complete clog that is backing up into your home.

What is clogging my drain?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to know what is causing the clog in your sewer line, but here are some common culprits:

  • Tree Roots – This is the #1 reason that main sewer lines gets clogged. Trees need water to grow and it’s the job of the tree roots to find that water supply. Roots can expand up to seven times the height of the tree, so if your house is surrounded by mature trees you could have a potential problem on your hands. During drought conditions the roots of trees grow out searching for water and they just might find your sewer line. Each root has smaller hair-like roots growing off of it and they find their way into your pipes from small cracks in the joint. Eventually the roots completely clog the line causing a backup inside your home.  Roots can also wreck havoc on exterior weeping tile systems.
  • Blockage from items that were flushed – Clogs can be caused from anything that is flushed down your toilet that is too much for your sewer line to handle. Some of the main culprits of this are toys flushed by children, thick toilet paper, paper towels and feminine hygiene products.

How do I fix a clog in my sewer line?

  • If you have water backing up into your basement the first thing you are going to want to do is shut off the water. Any water that is being used is going to add to the problem.
  • The second thing you want to do quickly is get any standing water out of your basement and get everything clean and dry. The longer water (or other material that has backed up into you basement) stands in your basement the greater the risk of mold. You need to get everything dry and if you have a finished basement with carpet and drywall and you had standing water in your basement, chances are it is going to need to get tossed to prevent the spread and growth of mold.
  • Snake the basement drain – Use a snake/auger to try to unclog the line from your basement drain. If the problem is right in the pipe you may be able to clear the line from inside of your house. It is important to understand what type of auger you are using and to know what your pipes are made of. Using the wrong tools for the job can cause further damage to your pipes that will be costly to repair.
  • Locate the exterior cleanout – Most houses will have a cleanout located near the exterior of the house, it is typically a white pipe sticking up out of the ground with a cap on it. You can try to snake the main line from this location to break up the clog. If your clog is caused by tree roots a simple hand auger is not going to get the job done, you will want to use a mechanical auger.

WARNING: If you are able to clear a clog from invasive tree roots with a mechanical auger you may have taken care of your immediate problem, but the roots will grow back. If tree roots are the cause of your problem there are options to kill them with chemicals or in some cases it is best to use a camera to determine the location of the problem, dig out the roots, and replace the section of pipe.

Call a qualified basement water specialist – Some problems are better left to the professionals. If you have tried the simple steps above to clear your line and have not been able to resolve the issue it is best to call a professional. Nusite Waterproofing has been repairing basement drain problems in Toronto for over 30 years.  Our licensed and professional waterproofing experts can provide a free in-home inspection and estimate.  Contact us today to learn more.

Do I Need a Weeping Tile System?

Here in Toronto, installing exterior and interior weeping tile systems is a very popular option as it can effectively divert water away from your foundation.  Also, improvements to the technology and installation methods have greatly increased their reliability as they traditionally had problems with getting clogged after a number of years.

So why use the term Weeping Tile?  I wish somebody would embargo the term ‘weeping tile’ because perimeter drains are neither tiles, nor do they weep (in fact they do the opposite). In times gone by, they were like that though, or we wouldn’t have the term.

French Drain-Weeping Tile System Image

In case you’re curious, I’ll mention that Romans used to cover their ditches with broken roof tiles. These stopped them blocking, while allowing the rain to filter through. If you looked underneath, I guess it looked as if the tiles were weeping.

A Weeping Tile system can be installed on the exterior of your foundation or in the interior of your foundation along the perimeter of your foundation walls.  Exterior Weeping Tiles will divert water away from your foundation so water never gets a chance to enter your foundation while an Interior Weeping Tile system will divert water away from after it has entered through your foundation, so this is more of a water management system rather than a true waterproofing solution.

Modern Weeping Tile Perimeter Drains

These days, perimeter drains lie at a point where underground water collects and makes a nuisance of itself. You’ll often find them at the bottom of outside basement walls, where they prevent water seeping through to the inside of your foundation. The weeping tiles are actually plastic pipes, with longitudinal slits on top designed to siphon the groundwater away.

Of course, if you just did that, then the earth would block the slits in no time at all. This is why builders wrap the pipes in ground-retaining cloth, and then cover them over with the same gravel chip you find in concrete. This belt-and-braces approach is necessary because digging up blocked perimeter drains is an expensive, time-consuming and messy business.

Weeping Tile System Diagram

How to Know You Need Them

Setting hindsight aside for a moment, you’ll know you need a weeping tile-type perimeter drain if you see water seeping in through the bottom of your basement. Typically, it will come through the crack where the walls rest on the floor. If the wall shows signs of damp higher up, then you have the makings of a dam outside.

Now that you know how these things work, you know that you should have a perimeter drain installed at the bottom of your exterior basement wall before the builder fills the space with rubble. The raw materials are not expensive and are quick and easy to lay down, so insist on it.

It is absolutely essential (the strongest words that I could find) to have a plan where the groundwater goes to after you collect it. If you are lucky, conditions will allow it to soak away naturally. If not, then you must leave a pit with a sump pump at the bottom.

A good long-term waterproofing solution is to properly waterproof the exterior walls of your foundation along with installing an exterior weeping tile system.

What to Do if the System Doesn’t Work

If you find water accumulating in your basement by seeping in from outside, then either you do not have a weeping tile system, or it’s blocked. You have three options, namely:

  1. Put up with the problem (bad idea, this can affect your property value)
  2. Did up the garden and install a new perimeter drainage system
  3. Chip out the floor against the walls, and install weeping tiles inside the room

There are pros and cons to both options 2 and 3. In theory, option 2 is the correct one, although there may be practical considerations that prevent it. If so, then 3 is really the only way to go. You’ll have to accept the fact that you will end up with less usable space, and will also likely end up hiding your interior perimeter drain behind some paneling.

Leaking Foundation?

These are several ways a basement can leak and if the problem isn’t solved it can lead to major long-term damage to your foundation. A proper water drainage system is needed to help fight off basement leaks and this is sometimes a simple solution and at other times it can be a big task. Nusite Waterproofing has been providing basement waterproofing and foundation repairs services in Toronto for over 30 years.  We offer a free in-home written estimate and inspection.  Contact us today to schedule your estimate.

Should I Use Waterproofing Paint in My Basement?

Wet and damp basements are an ongoing issue in Toronto.  Between the weather and average age of the foundations of most homes in Toronto, a leaking basement usually happens to everyone at some point in time.  Add to the fact that Toronto sits on top of underground waterways, then you can understand why most homes have water issues in their basement.

Waterproofing a basement can be expensive if a full exterior waterproofing solution is needed.  So homeowners will obviously look at cheaper alternatives first and one of these alternatives is using waterproofing paint on their basement walls.

Does Waterproofing Paint Really Work?

When it comes to solving the problem of a leaky basement you’ll find there are numerous types of waterproof coatings and paints on the market today. But in reality, these products typically blister quite quickly and then flake off the walls of the basement. They can create quite a mess and once waterproof paint has been applied it’s not that easy to remove. If you have a persistent leak in the basement it should be properly fixed before applying any type of waterproof coating to it as it will not stop an active water leak from permeating your foundation.

If you’re not sure what waterproof paint is, it’s an inexpensive latex or oil-based product that can simply and easily be applied to the surface of a wall. It’s designed to create a barrier which is meant to fight off moisture and water. Most of the products come with a written warranty, but the fact is they’re not very dependable. Instead, you should be looking for a permanent solution to a damp basement instead of the minimal and temporary protection offered by a waterproofing paint.

When you suffer with a leaky basement you’ll often notice a flaky white substance on the walls and floor which is a mineral salt and is known as efflorescence. Moisture can seep through concrete since it is a porous, textured substance which actually contains numerous cracks and voids. Water can even leak through concrete walls which have been waterproofed on the outside with tar as the tar will break down eventually over time. Moisture can enter the home as water vapour and can result in musty odours, rot, mold, and humidity.

When the vapour penetrates the basement it contains minerals from the earth and when they crystallize it leaves a white substance on the floor and walls. Waterproof paints and coatings can’t prevent this though and you’ll likely still be faced with a mold and/or efflorescence problem. Some waterproof paints may be able to work their way into the concrete pores, they’re basically just a covering and can’t penetrate deep enough to keep moisture at bay. Basically, waterproof paint is just a temporary, band-aid solution which may last from just six months to a couple of years at most.

One of the most popular solutions for a wet basement these days is to mechanically attach wall panels with plastic pegs. This system can be used on a variety of surfaces including dirt and stone walls and can often be completed in a day or two. If you’re dealing with a leaky, humid basement in the Greater Toronto Area and would like some advice on how to fix it permanently please feel free to contact us at the Nusite Group for a free on-site inspection and estimate.

Nusite Group has been providing high-quality basement waterproofing solutions in Toronto for over 3o years.  We provide homeowners with free quotes and would be glad to pay you a visit. We’ll perform an on-site inspection of your basement and answer any questions you have concerning your problem. Once we’ve completed a thorough inspection of the basement we’ll be able to offer you our professional advice on the best solutions for your unique situation.

What Is Causing Water To Leak Into My Basement?

Unfortunately, there are several reasons you may find water leaking into your basement and you should treat them all seriously as the problem will need to be rectified sooner rather than later.  Here in Toronto, we have the perfect mix of older homes and extreme weather conditions, which can cause a foundation to leak over time.  Since real estate is at a premium in Toronto, many homeowners would love to finish their basement to increase their living space without expanding into their already cramped backyards or going through the red-tape of adding an addition to their home.

We’ll take a look at the most common causes of a leaky basement and what can be done about them.

Top of the foundation wall

Top foundation leak Toronto
Water can often find its way into the basement over the top of the basement/foundation wall if rainwater happens to drain towards the home instead of away from it. This is common in older homes with a poor drainage design. Be sure your gutter system works well and the downspouts are long enough to lead the water away from the house. In some instances, the soil will settle near a home and this results in low spots where water can seep through and into the basement.

Leaking window wells

Window Well repairs Toronto
Window wells are decorative as well as practical as they’re designed to keep water and soil away from your ground level and basement windows. They can drain rain and ground water away when needed, but can sometimes fail to do the job properly. Window wells can sometimes fill with rainwater if your gutters are obstructed as the water will overflow from the roof. Be sure the windows and window wells are properly installed and the gutters are clear. The window wells should have a drainage system of their own which works hand in hand with the foundation drain.

Cracks in the basement wall

Cracks in Foundation Walls
Basement wall cracks can be serious as you need to find out why the wall cracked in the first place. A band-aid solution isn’t recommended as further cracks may appear. Wall cracks are often caused by pressure which has built up at the bottom of the wall. Water can then be pushed through existing cracks and into the basement or it could create new cracks.

Tie rod leaks

Leaking Tie Rods Basement
Many older homes have steel rods placed in them during construction. When the walls have been built the rods are typically removed, but small holes are left behind.

Leaky sewer pipe

Leaking sewar lines Toornto
Some sewer pipe leaks can be very slow and may be hard to detect unless you see a stain on the wall or ceiling below the drain. In some cases, you may also see mold below the drain.

Leaking mortar joints

Mortor joint leaks foundations Toronto
Some basement walls are made of wood, brick, cinder block or stone instead of concrete. These walls use mortar to hold the blocks in place and the mortar may eventually deteriorate over the years. If this happens, water can slowly leak through it.

Cracks in the floor

leaking basement floor Toronto
The weight of ground water can cause hydrostatic pressure and this can lead to cracks in your basement floor as well as structural damage. The hydrostatic pressure is a result of poor drainage as well as soil, clay and the pressure can push against your foundation. The water needs somewhere to go and can lead to cracks in the floor. The pressure builds as more water collects and becomes heavier.

Sump pumps

Leaking broken sump pump Toronto
If you depend on a sump pump be aware that these devices may fail due to things such as power failures, bad switches, improper installation, lack of maintenance and clogged or even frozen lines. This can be a problem if you don’t have a backup pump.

Clogged floor drain

basement Floor drain leak Toronto
A floor drain can clog and water can back up through the homes’ drainage system. If your local municipal drain is clogged you don’t really have any control over it and that’s why a waterproofing system in recommended.

Obstructed drain tile

blocked weeping tile Toronto
Weeping drain tiles go around the perimeter of a basement in many newer homes. It’s generally constructed with plastic piping which is perforated and then wrapped in a sock-type of cloth. It’s surrounded by gravel and installed placed at the base of the home’s foundation walls. However, it can sometimes be obstructed by tree roots even though precautions are taking against it.

What’s causing your basement leak?

These are some ways a basement can leak and if the problem isn’t solved it can lead to major damage. A proper drainage system is needed to help fight off basement leaks and this is sometimes a simple solution and at other times it can be a big task. Nusite Waterproofing has been providing basement waterproofing and foundation repairs services in Toronto for over 30 years.  We offer a free in-home written estimate and inspection.  Contact us today to schedule you estimate.