If the basement waterproofing is not correctly handled, it can lead to a lot of issues in your home, some which can be detrimental. For instance, seepage can cause structural instability if not addressed immediately. With time, you may also start seeing mould and mildew, which has negative impacts on your health and those living in your home. To realize success in waterproofing of your basement, you need to identify the cause of the problem. For instance, if you don’t do that, you may end up waterproofing areas that do not need waterproofing and neglecting the real areas where the problem originates.
However, you don’t have to wait until you start seeing the signs of water seepage in your home. It is always advisable to call a qualified waterproofer to inspect your home and tell you whether you need to waterproof it. Remember that, though all homes are waterproof during the construction time, they will need waterproofing at one time. Here at DrainCom, we show you how to do basement waterproofing in the right way. Here are steps you would want to adhere to.
- Dig Around
In order to keep off water from your basement, you would need to waterproof around the outer perimeter of your home’s basement all the way to the foundation. You will also need to apply the waterproofing products if you need your basement to be successful.
After that, you would need to install crushed stones, drainage tiles, gravel and perforated pipes below the area.
- Inspect For Cracks
After completing the excavation, you would need to clean the walls and inspect whether there are cracks that the water might be flowing through. If you see one or more of these cracks, apply hydraulic cement coat to curb the leaking. Hydraulic cement is preferred because it expands as it cures, and this ensures that the cracks are perfectly sealed, and they won’t leak again.
- Apply Sealant
For a perfect basement waterproofing Toronto, apply a sealant, usually cement based on the exterior walls of your home. Sealants processed from cement are effortless to apply and can be utilized on various surfaces such as masonry and concrete surfaces. Once the cement sealant is applied on the exterior walls, it hardens after some time and seals all the pores. In case some pores were not sealed in the second step, they will be sealed in this third procedure.
- Apply Membrane
The fourth step in basement waterproofing Toronto will involve installing a waterproof membrane. This membrane is usually made of asphalt-modified polyurethane material. You may trowel it or spray it on the wall to seal it against water coming from the outside. It is usually advisable to opt for elastomeric membranes since they offer excellent basement properties.
- Install Drainage Mat
The next step would involve installing a drainage mat with perfectly moulded dimples. Ensure that the fabric that you utilize create air spaces between itself and the wall so that it can let moisture travel to the drain structure. Measure the depth of the foundation and cut your drainage mat to that depth. Drainage mat also helps in reducing lateral pressure exerted against the foundation.
- Complete The French Drain
This waterproofing step involves installing weeping tile, also known as the French drain. You may use pipe, 4’. Install this pipe at the base of the foundation. It is also advisable to install cleanouts so that the process of cleaning the pipes would be easier.
After that, fill back the grave, and this will be the final step in your basement waterproofing Toronto process.
- What To Avoid
Here are things that you should avoid during your basement waterproofing.
- Never use tar. Under constant pressure, tar becomes brittle, and with time, it cracks, leaving your walls vulnerable to water seepage.
- Don’t utilize plastic to waterproof your walls at the basement. The plastic will definitely peel over time and allow water through it.
- Don’t backfill with limestone. Limestone is not a good material to backfill since it alters the drainage capabilities and over time could block all the drainage structures. Instead, we recommend using gravel always when backfilling.
