Basement Underpinning Toronto

Your property may be protected from a number of unfortunate situations by having foundation and basement waterproofing done. Other then catching fire and burning down, flooding in a basement is one of the worst accidents that can happen in a home. When foundations begin to fracture, water can enter the basement and damage the bases of the flooring and walls. In the worst-case scenario, it may even cause a home to collapse. Basement waterproofing applies not just to basements but also the home’s foundations. Basement waterproofing is an essential fix if you have water, mildew, or rotting issues in your basement. Basement waterproofing can both solve any underlying issues in the space and be a preventative countermeasure against potential water damage. 1. Protects Structural Integrity of your Home - another advantage of waterproofing your basement is that it strengthens the structure of your home. Take note: your basement acts as the foundation for your home. It must be robust enough to complete this task. Waterproofing may ensure that your home lasts a prolonged lifespan. This is especially true if your home frequently experiences severe weather or adverse temperatures. 2. Increases the Value of Your Home - If you intend to sell your house in the near future, consider basement waterproofing. A home free of dampness and leaks is a crucial selling element for home buyers, making it more desirable. If you have not improved your basement in decades, buyers may consider it a significant inconvenience. This might give visitors a negative image of your home, especially if they smell the mustiness of old water. Distinct odors and signs of excess water can drive away potential buyers. Basements with waterproofing are also simpler to clean. This is another selling factor that can be desirable to future residents. Your home is more valuable if it is effectively protected and maintained. This adds more value to your home while you still live there and in the case that you do end up selling your home, a return on investment. In most circumstances, you may deduct the expenditures of the waterproofing job. 3. Prevents Mold & Mildew - Mold can be a serious problem if it develops in your home. Mold will gradually destroy the area where it colonizes and has the potential to create health problems for your home’s inhabitants. People who suffer from Bronchitis are especially vulnerable to mold and poor air quality. Mold grows from small spores that are invisible to the human eye and can be found in both outdoor and indoor air. Mold can start growing inside if it is on a damp surface. It simply requires moisture, water, and dust to thrive. Since dust is everywhere, if it settles on a damp surface, it might begin to grow indoors. That should give you an idea of the dangers of a damp or wet basement. However, basement waterproofing can prevent mold buildup from ever happening. Although mold typically stays unnoticed until it has developed, seeking the assistance of a qualified professional is a proactive decision. Certified specialists are trained to deal with mold in the home and are up to date on the latest products, techniques, and laws. Now, prevention is the greatest choice when it comes to keeping mold out of your home. So, if you discover a moisture or water problem, have it rectified or checked as soon as possible. With the benefits of basement waterproofing, there are two main types to consider, exterior basement waterproofing and interior basement waterproofing. Each with its own advantages and applications.

There is a number of things that commonly cause basement to leak, here is a couple of the most common ones. Basement Window Wells - Water penetration through your window sill can be caused by water buildup around near-grade basement windows. To remedy this, water entering your window area should be drained by adding or replacing defective window wells, as well as installing vertical weeping tile and a 3/4 gravel bedding. This will keep your foundation from leaking and your basement from flooding. Home Foundations made of Block or Bricks - Air gaps and mortar joints in block and brick walls may allow water to penetrate the crevices of your walls. Water infiltration inside block and brick foundations may be prevented and repaired using a mix of exterior and interior waterproofing methods. Water collecting between brick walls can be drained by drilling into the foundation’s interior to remove the water buildup. Basement Leaks Caused by Joints - joint leaks occur at the intersections of your wall and footing, your basement floor and foundation, and joints where additional extensions have been installed. To repair and fill these various sorts of joints, hydraulic cement is used. The altered cement is critical to preventing more damage and water leaks. Top of Foundation Leaks - If the sill is not sealed or if the original seal has deteriorated, the area where the foundation meets the brick might become a source of water leakage. Maintaining the sill with a waterproof sealant is critical for resolving this problem and avoiding water infiltration into the sill. Water may still pass through this place even if there is no hydrostatic pressure.

Internal basement waterproofing is another method of stopping water damage and flooding in your basement. While external repairs provide the best solution, an internal project can be performed when foundation digging is not optimal. The internal waterproofing method may be the best option depending on a specific criteria: The area surrounding the exterior cannot be accessed because the space is confined or the area cannot be reached. The water problem is not a foundation leak but a hydrostatic pressure problem, which means the groundwater under the concrete slab raises up and down and causes the water to penetrate through the basement slab or where the wall meets the floor. This groundwater can also mean there could be an underground creek where the house was built. The internal system is an economical solution for unfinished living areas. Interior Wall & Floor Sealer - Internal waterproofing allows you to install drainage on the inside of your home, rerouting water intake to a correct point of release. The major advantage of implementing an internal waterproofing system is that it may collect water passing through the wall and beneath the footing. Basement walls that have been pierced will be drained away by our drainage membrane, creating a barrier between your wall and your living space. Water that travels beneath the footing might cause wet spots and leaks on your basement floor, which will be covered by the drainage board and drained through new weeping tiles. Sump Pumps - The fundamental component of every waterproofing system is a place where the water in the system may be discharged. When current drainage is clogged or there are no other drainage alternatives, your expert may recommend a sump pump installation. In your basement, a pit is dug to serve as the lowest point of your waterproofing system. Inside the pit, a high-quality plastic liner is put, allowing water to flow in by gravity drainage. The trigger of a sump pump, which ejects water from the sump pit to the exterior of the home, detects water buildup. We only utilize high-quality pumps and plumbing materials, and we also provide battery backup pumps that will keep working even if your power goes out. Before we perform any work, we provide you with the same inspection service. This is important to ensure that we cover every problem that is leading to a wet basement issue. After we have identified all of the trouble areas, we will provide you with the best internal waterproofing solution for your unique needs. Our internal waterproofing solutions may include repairing all cracks or breaks in your foundation walls, adding a waterproof membrane to the interior and replacing any defective weeping tiles. A French drain installation can also be part of your solution. This image gives you an overview of some of the problems that cause a wet basement: No matter how well your home was built, the basement can still develop leaks. Homes are constructed to meet industry and safety standards. However, over time, homes settle and the foundation walls and floor may crack. Other water problems may come from the water table under your home or changes in the city sewer system. A small leak now can turn into a major problem as time passes. Leaks also create mold, mildew and water damage. This can end up requiring very costly repairs to your home. Professional basement waterproofing requires knowledge and skills, along with the right resources and tools. A fully effective treatment includes addressing drainage and adding sealers. Once your basement is professionally waterproofed, it will remain dry. We guarantee this. Call us, or email us today, so we can provide you with an inspection and a cost effective solution to your leaky basement problem. Our licensed experts are ready to fix any type of foundation problem you are experiencing.

Damp or Wet Basement Flooring - the source of water entering the basement through the concrete floor or where the basement walls meet the floor is most likely subterranean groundwater. Rising groundwater and saturation produce hydrostatic pressure during rainy weather, which pushes against the foundation and drives water through cracks and gaps in the concrete. This stress can cause cracks in the basement floor and walls. Visible White Substances on Walls - limestone, clay, mortar, and aggregate make up concrete and the white border or patch you observe is calcium evaporating from the block. It is a sign of water or too much moisture and should be treated carefully. It is referred to as efflorescence. Since this will only show on concrete, you will only be able to see it if your basement is not finished. Other indicators will develop if your basement is experiencing excessive leaking, water damage will nearly always show some kind of warning indication. Painted Walls Appear Damaged - paint can peel away from the surface it was painted on as it ages, similarly to peeling paint in older homes. It does not, however, flake off just because it is aged. Paint may peel for a variety of reasons, including the paint being the incorrect type for the material it was painted on, the surface not being properly prepared, or humidity or moisture in the walls you painted on. Wet surfaces will not hold paint. Water vapor will discolor it, causing it to peel off the wall or poke holes in it. This can be a direct indication that the walls of your basement are holding too much moisture or are very damp. Excess Rusting - metal rusts when there is an abundance of moisture in the atmosphere. Rust can form on fuse boxes, water heaters, jack posts, and appliances due to excessive moisture and humidity. When rust occurs, remove it completely and repaint it as soon as possible, and then analyze the source of the moisture. The rust will return if not addressed immediately.

External waterproofing is the ideal solution to stem water damage, or to prevent excess water from getting past the foundation into the basement. However, external waterproofing does cause disruption to the outside of the home. The soil and underlying gravel have to be removed in order to get a close look at defects on the outside of the foundation. Power washing and then power drying the foundation walls is the best way to detect hairline cracks or fissures. Once the problem areas are uncovered, then each problem is handled separately. A flexible, cement sealant is applied to all the exposed areas of the foundation, which adds extra support and protection to the concrete foundation by strengthening the existing walls. Then a heavy polyurethane drainage mat is attached to the exposed walls. This extra protection on the outside ensures the foundation will ward off any excess buildup of groundwater. Outside drainage is another part of the waterproofing solution. Many homes still have the old-fashioned clay weeping tiles, which degrade and clog over time. Outdated drainage pipes are replaced with modern weeping tiles, which are made of plastic and perforated so they don’t clog as easily. Done correctly, external waterproofing will keep the foundation and basement watertight for decades. We are going to demonstrate the best practices of basement waterproofing that have been tested, proven and working for many years for all our clients. We are not talking about magic waterproof paints, channel drain tiles that sit on top of the footing, molding drainage system and e.c. None of them completely, and more important properly solve the wet basement issue. Most of the waterproofing systems have been designed for easy installation, and not for how well they will perform. That little box of tricks doesn’t take you very far. In fact, it sometimes takes you nowhere. The real best practice isn’t a particular product at all. It is a well-defined series of steps that conduct to effectively performing system. The Aquamaster’s approach is significantly different from quick fixes. It’s not based on guesswork, and it doesn’t have the excitement and appeal of magic products. Our solid knowledge, craft, skill, and expertise prove that it always works. Exterior waterproofing is a method of repairing a leaky basement from the outside of your home by exposing the foundation and applying the necessary waterproofing material to create a foundation waterproofing system that redirects and disperses water away from your foundation walls. This is one of the most effective waterproofing options for basement leaks and the most typical method of basement foundation repair. Aquamaster has been providing professional waterproofing to Toronto homes for many years. An external waterproofing solution is the best choice to provide the highest level of protection against basement flooding and water damage. Our experts understand the processes fully and we offer complete transparency in all the work we perform. We will explain every step of the process to you so that you will know what to expect from our work. Poor foundation drainage, high levels of groundwater, major storms and foundation cracks can all contribute to a wet basement and water damage. We will consult with you and inspect your home, drainage systems and property. We look for any problem areas and will discuss the recommended solutions to provide you with permanent protection from leaks and moisture. Every home is different and Aquamaster provides customized solutions for every job we complete. The work may involve repairing cracks with epoxy or replacing the waterproofing membrane along your foundations. In the majority of cases, external waterproofing involves digging down to the footers of your foundation to locate all the problem areas and ensure that your basement is fully protected. On some occasions, we may not have to completely dig out the foundation. You may simply need to have your weeping tiles replaced or a French drain installed. If your existing drains are clogged, the groundwater will back up and place additional pressure on the foundation walls, forcing water into any cracks. A complete inspection of your home’s drainage system and foundation is the only way to truly know what work needs to be done. The experts at Aquamaster will provide you with a customized plan to repair your basement that includes a full guarantee. We understand waterproofing in Toronto and the Greater Toronto area and our staff are experienced professionals.