Basement Waterproofing Methods and Materials

Do you sometimes worry about the basement of your house smelling a bit damp? Maybe you have even seen signs of water leakage from time to time? In either case, the best course of action is basement waterproofing and dealing with the hassle once and for all. You are going to learn all you need to know about the subject in this article.

Why Basement Waterproofing is Essential in Toronto

There are a few reasons why waterproofing your basement is a big deal if you live in Canada, especially in Toronto:

1. Toronto's Climate Impacts

• High water levels in spring and summer

There is significant rainfall during the spring and summer seasons, which leads to the soil becoming wet and dry over and over. This wet and dry cycle causes the soil to contract repeatedly, with the water constantly moving around your basement walls and floor, and this can obviously lead to water seepage.

• Frosting and defrosting in fall and winter

Similar to rain, the snow can melt and turn into water, causing issues in the long run, but that’s not all. The process of the soil and the water in the soil freezing during the night and thawing and defrosting during the day can cause even the concrete to crack and make way for drops of water to sneak in.

• Soil containing a lot of clay

Toronto’s clay-heavy soil can hold water for some time, and that’s always a red flag when it comes to the basement, which is surrounded by natural soil. Also, clay’s expansive quality is more dramatic than normal soil (typically a mix of sand, silt, and clay), which is why it can damage the basement’s foundation or walls more quickly.

• Old structures

Many houses and properties situated in Toronto have been built decades ago, meaning compared to today, they have been built with weaker materials, and they have either no waterproofing systems applied to the basements or outdated ones.

2. Risks of a Leaky Basement

What happens when there’s a leak or even multiple leaks in your basement, and you don’t address the issue immediately?

• Mold & Mildew

When a place as dark and isolated as a basement becomes moist enough, it becomes the perfect spot for mold and mildew to grow and spread rapidly. Putting aside the hygiene concerns, there will be actual health issues as well, such as respiratory and allergy problems.

• Damages to the Structure

Probably the most costly issue, a leak in the basement can cause damage to the foundation walls and even reach the ceiling. Worst case scenario, the wall or the ceiling will collapse. Water also damages wood significantly, so wooden floors will be affected; it can be particularly dangerous if there are wooden beams in the basement.

• Lowering Property’s Value

A basement with a history of leaking is a major deterrent to potential buyers because they will be concerned about the foundation of the basement and whether it has been fixed completely.

The main fear is maybe someday it will affect them, and they will have to spend a significant amount of money to repair it in the future. House inspectors will also see basement leaks as an important issue, and there will probably be a noticeable discount demand when selling.

• Poor Air Quality Inside the House

We already mentioned the moldy air inside the basement, but you should know that if the basement’s entry is located inside your house, the air from the basement will find a way to creep into the upper floor and contaminate it with mold spores, dust mites, and musty air.

• Damaging Belongings and Finishes

Whatever you have stored down there, documents, electronics, furniture, etc, are prone to damage because even tiny leaks will cause rust and rot over time. There are also all the finishes that will be damaged throughout the years, like paint coming off, walls getting warped, and floors getting ruined.

• Pest Infestations

Dark, damp places attract all kinds of insects and rodents. Some common ones include termites, mold mites, and cockroaches. Nobody likes them, and they usually carry diseases.

• Electrical Dangers

As you know, water and electricity don’t go too well, so any exposed wire, outlet, or electric appliance will be a potential hazard.

• Higher Bills

When the basement becomes damp and cold, it will affect the temperature of the floor above, and you will have to make your heating system work harder, so, higher bills. Also, moisture generally makes HVAC systems work harder.

Quick mention, if you’re interested in remodeling your basement, Basement Remodeling Ideas On A Budget is a fantastic place to start.

Types of Basement Waterproofing Methods

There are two main categories, each containing a couple of methods best for a specific situation and costing from relatively little to relatively high.

1. Interior Waterproofing

These methods are done inside the basement:

Crack Injections

This method is a good choice if the cracks are small and isolated and the water buildup hasn’t damaged the structure too much. It’s pretty simple, you just apply sealants such as epoxy or polyurethane to the cracks in the walls from the inside of the basement. Remember, this method is for minor cracks, and it does not address the root problems; it’s a temporary fix.

Waterproof Paint

This method is good for damp basements without any leaks. It is simply a paint you apply to the walls and the floor of the basement to block moisture from entering. It is a temporary solution because it will eventually peel off like regular paint due to the hydrostatic pressure.

Installing a Sump Pump

This method is best for houses situated in flood-prone areas or areas with a lot of rain and snow. How it works is they install a pump system in a hole at the lowest part of the basement, and whenever water levels reach a certain point, the pump starts working and pushes the water out of the house through pipes. This system needs regular maintenance and also a backup power source (e.g., a battery or generator).

Interior French Drain & Weeping Tile

These systems are useful when you want the water to either stay clear of the foundation or to lead the water to a sump pump and therefore relieve water pressure around the foundation.

They both involve installing pipes either outside the house, near the foundation under the ground, or inside the basement and under the floor (like a sump pump), and then they collect water and direct it away from the house. Both methods require digging and also maintenance since the pipes can get clogged over time.

2. Exterior Waterproofing

These methods require exterior work:

Waterproofing Membrane & Coating

Waterproofing membranes are sheets made of rubberized asphalt or dimpled plastic that will be installed on the outside of the foundation walls and prevent water from touching the concrete for many years.

This is one of the best and most comprehensive methods to prevent water from reaching the foundation for a very long time. It is also the most expensive and time-consuming one because you need to excavate the surroundings of your house down to the footing of the basement, install the membranes, and then refill.

Waterproof coatings are done in the exact same way. You should know that these coatings are usually accompanied by pressure-relieving methods like the French drain system and the sump pump in order to build an all-encompassing waterproofing system that lasts a very long time and is very effective.

Exterior French Drain

Already talked about this one; it is installed around the foundation on the outside to redirect groundwater.

Downspout Extensions

A very simple method which involves making extensions to your downspouts so that rain water is directed away from your house instead of getting dumped near the foundation. This method is another one that doesn’t fix your existing leaks but helps prevent future ones.

Sloped Soil

Another simple one, the soil around the house is sloped slightly so that some of the water from rain tilts down into the street gutter.

If you have been following carefully, you probably have figured it out by now that if you already have a leaky basement, the best thing to do is to apply both interior and exterior waterproofing methods in order to first fix the existing leaks and second prevent future leaks, flooding, and whatnot.

Basement Waterproofing Costs in Toronto

It is impossible to come up with a precise number regarding the cost of waterproofing your basement because each house is different in terms of size and the severity of the leaks, etc, but we can give you a ballpark estimation of the costs in Toronto. According to aquatechwaterproofing and torontoblogs:

FAQ

1. When is the best time to waterproof a basement?

The best time is during the dry and warm seasons, typically from late spring to early fall; in Toronto, that means May to October. In summer, when the soil is dry, excavation is easier, faster, and less costly, and there is less chance of cave-ins and water-filled trenches.

Also, it is easier to detect and fix cracks in the basement since most sealants work best when the surface is dry and not cold.

2. How long does waterproofing last?

That depends on the method(s) you have made use of:

• Waterproofing membrane typically lasts 25 - 50+ years
• Interior waterproofing system (with sump pump + interior weeping tile) 15-25 years
• Interior sealants and crack injections typically last 10-20 years but may require reapplication, depending on the water pressure and crack movement.

3. Can waterproofing be done during winter?

Yes, but not preferable. Interior waterproofing methods like crack injections, installing an interior weeping tile, and a sump pump can usually be done even during winter, since the inside of the basement can be warmed up.

Exterior waterproofing, however, is another story. The ground is frozen during the winter, and excavating is not going to be easy, and ice and snow are going to make trench work dangerous and unstable. On the other hand, some waterproofing materials, such as liquid membranes, need temperatures above 5°C (41°F) to properly adhere and cure.

4. How would I know if my basement needs waterproofing?

If you see any of these things, you probably need to waterproof your basement: musty smells, molds, cracks in the walls, yellow stains on the walls or the floor, peeling paint, efflorescence on the walls or the floor, bowing walls, warped walls, and little puddles on the floor.

5. Can I waterproof the basement myself?

Simple methods can be done on your own, like minor crack injections and waterproof painting. The other methods, however, require professionals, tools, and machines.

6. Is basement waterproofing covered by insurance?

Typically, no, insurance does not cover water seepage or leakage that has been building up throughout the years because basement waterproofing is considered a preventative home maintenance measure rather than a sudden or accidental event. However, insurance might cover the damages caused by a burst pipe.

To Sum Up

A leaky basement needs to be fixed, and not just temporarily. You need to check your basement often and look out for any signs of water seepage, and when you do spot them (or smell them), you must consider basement waterproofing and repair it so that it will give you peace of mind for the many years to come. What exactly to do? You can find that out in detail by reading this single article, where we covered almost everything you need to know before taking action.