#leakybasement

Your basement always remains in the shadows of your living room, not being thought of until something goes wrong or you need to store something in it. With that being said, the basement is one of the most neglected areas of your home. However, structurally, it is an essential part of your home because it is the lowest point of the foundation. It’s the base of the building, and without it being robust, your house would not be able to stand. However, with neglect comes the possibility of damage to your basement that can potentially be disastrous.

One of the many things that can cause a basement to leak is failing waterproofing, among many other reasons. If your basement starts leaking, it’s essential to know why it’s happening and what you can do to fix it. Enlisted are a few common reasons why your basement might be leaking, along with a few tips to help you determine the issue and what to do about it. But first, let’s discuss the three primary sources of basement moisture.

1. Sewer Pipe Leaking:

Although this isn’t a part of the basement waterproofing system, there is a possibility that a sewer pipe from your home could be leaking water into your wet basement. There is a line meant to carry away excess water and waste from your home, and the line may have been damaged at some point. This damage could be from a shift in the soil, allowing debris to break through, or it could be a crack caused by age. If you think this could be the case, you should check for wetness on the basement floor and, if you find any, smell the moisture to see if it has a sewage odour. If it does, then you will need to call a plumber to fix the problem.

Further, you can also look out for mould forming around the walls, along with small black spots on the basement floor. These spots are firm and black and indicate sewage, often referred to as “Black Mould”. It’s important to note that these spots will not go away even if you clean them and continue to spread if the source of the problem is not addressed.

2. Sump Pump Failure:

Among the most neglected parts of a basement waterproofing system is the sump pump. Even though it’s the most critical part of a basement system, it is also one of the most overlooked. The sump pump is a mechanism that pumps away excess water from your basement during any heavy rainfall. It usually sits at the lowest point of your basement with a pipe leading into the ground or out a window to drain water. The sump pump may seem very simple, but it is crucial to the overall success of your waterproofing system. If it fails to work correctly and can’t handle water build-up, then you could have significant issues on your hands.

For instance, if water can enter the basement floor or walls through your drainage system, then it will not only be near impossible to dry out the basement floor or basement walls, but you may also experience some mould formation in the process. So if the basement begins to flood, then it’s essential to check the sump pump. If it’s not working or is noisy, then there could be a few causes. Firstly, if the pump is old, it may be simply broken and need to be replaced. However, it could also just be that it is clogged up with debris. In either case, call in for professional assistance.

3. Floor & Wall Joint Leakage:

As the walls and floor are the essential parts of your basement waterproofing system, you should check the walls and floors frequently for leaks, especially when you notice that the floor or basement walls start to get wet or damp. It may be due to a leaking plumbing pipe, or it may be due to a cracked pipe. To identify the source of the leak, you need to check the walls of your basement first. This inspection is because water does not flow uphill as much as it will flow downhill. So if your basement floor starts to get wet, then it’s more likely that it’s coming from a leak in the walls.

One quick way to identify whether a wall is leaking is by scratching the wall’s surface with your fingernail. If there’s a leak in that spot, then your fingernail will leave a mark. This way, you can trace where the leak is forming. Check the entire wall for these marks, and if you find any, it will indicate where you should start looking for the source of the leak. If you can’t find a leak on the walls, then you should check your floor as water can also leak into your basement from above through faulty plumbing or cracks in the walls. To do this, place a bucket underneath the affected area and check again after 24 hours. If the bucket has collected water, then there is a leak that needs to be repaired. A plumber may be necessary to fix the leaky basement, so make sure to get a plumber out as soon as possible if you see any leaks forming.

4. Plugged Drain Tile:

You don’t need to be a plumber to know that a plugged drain is terrible news, but it’s also something that many people ignore. Basement waterproofing systems rely on drain tile to carry excess water away from your basement. This excess water is why it’s so important to make sure they are working correctly. If they’re not, you will end up with wet and soggy floors and walls, leading to mould and the spread of disease.

In some cases, the problem can come from the drain tile located at the lowest point of your home. These drain tiles should be clear of debris and clogs to ensure that the water can exit freely. If the drain tile gets clogged, water will continue to build up, and this water pressure may eventually cause water to seep through the basement floor. The water may be coming from a shower, a laundry machine, a washing machine, or the toilet. It’s best to check these areas for blockages or slow drains because you’ll end up with a flooded basement if you don’t. The worst-case scenario is that the blockage leads to sewage backup into your basement. In case you can’t clear the blockage yourself, call a professional plumber.

5. Ineffective Grading:

When you had your basement waterproofed, the contractor will have graded your yard to ensure that your home’s foundation is as strong as possible. This grading allows water will run off of your foundation and away from the house when it rains. However, if you haven’t kept up with the grading of your yard, then there’s a chance that water will still be able to seep in through the ground and into your basement. You can grade your yard yourself by ensuring that the grade of your lawn slopes away from the house.

There should also be a drainage swale leading away from your home’s foundation where water can runoff. If there is a high-grade close to your home, then water may still be able to run through the ground and into your basement. If you think this may be the case, you need to check where water is entering your basement. If it’s coming from under the foundation of your home, then it may be an issue with your grading, and you may need to re-grade your yard.

6. Damaged Sub-slab Drains:

The sub-slab drain system is a crucial part of your basement waterproofing services. It is the part of the drainage system that takes care of the wetness in your basement. Since it sits underneath the basement floor, then it is also called a crawl space drain. It catches any excess water from the bottom and channels it into the outside of your home. There the water can get evaporated into the air or carried away by the rain.

You must take care of this part of your basement waterproofing system, as this drain could potentially cause some significant issues for you if it’s not working correctly. If your sub-slab drain is working, then you shouldn’t have any problem with getting wetness in your basement. However, water can get underneath your basement floor and into your wall cavities if it’s not working. This cavity means that the water from your feet can seep into other parts of your home and cause mould to grow in these areas.

Your basement is probably the most dreaded room in your home. Sure, it’s handy for storage, but as far as your family goes, it’s not a space you’re pleased about being inside. It’s dark, damp, and claustrophobic, with the potential for flooding and rodent invasions. Well, luckily for you, basement waterproofing is the answer to all of your problems. With basement waterproofing, you can transform your basement into a comfortable, well-lit room with tons of natural light and your own private space; no rodents needed. However, your journey down this basement waterproofing path is not without its pitfalls, as any homeowner who has ever done it can attest. It’s tiresome, messy, and uncomfortable, and you may need a bit of help along the way.

To bring you the best advice on watering your basement, enlisted are crucial advice and suggestions on how to venture down this path with the most success. So, please take a deep breath, and read on to find out what basement waterproofing is all about and why it’s such a big deal.

What Does Basement Waterproofing Mean?

When you hear the term basement waterproofing,  you probably think of the concrete work that needs to be done to your home’s concrete slab. However, this is not always the case. Basement waterproofing is the process of taking care of the drainage and waterproofing problems in your basement, preventing the problems from arising in the first place. It comprises distinct parts, including detailed evaluation, drafting the plan, waterproofing your home’s foundation, re-grading your yard so that water can run off, installing a drainage system and watertight sump pump, and installing a waterproofing membrane on the walls.

Further, basement waterproofing entails complete cleanup and restoration of your basement. In the end, you should be left with a dry, safe basement that everyone in your family can enjoy. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially if you’re experiencing flooding and constant water issues. The water itself causes problems, like mould and fungus growing on your floors and walls. It also means that the concrete slab is more likely to crack and rot. Luckily, there are solutions to all of these problems!

For instance, when you choose to work with a professional basement waterproofing company, you are entitled to an in-depth basement evaluation of your home’s drainage issues. Basement waterproofing isn’t something you’re going to be able to do yourself, and you will need the help of experts to make sure your basement doesn’t end up more of a problem than a space you can use and enjoy. Once you know the cause of your basement’s issues, you can take care of them. Basement waterproofing might not be the most glamorous home improvement project, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most necessary.

Reasons for Leaky Basement

One of the many things that can cause a basement to leak is failing waterproofing, among many other reasons. If your basement starts leaking, it’s essential to know why it’s happening and what you can do to fix it. Enlisted are a few common reasons why your basement might be leaking, along with a few tips to help you determine the issue and what to do about it. But first, let’s discuss the three primary sources of basement moisture.

1. Interior Moisture Sources:

Water from kitchen sinks, showers, or toilets. As little as 3 – 5 gallons of water from these sources can add up to thousands of gallons of water per year. A typical family of four can use about 150 gallons of water each day. That’s a lot for your foundation to handle!

2. Condensation:

There is a lot of condensation in the basement due to varying temperature differences between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. The colder outdoor air gets pushed into the basement, where it can take on more moisture. This moisture results in water that is trapped in the basement. So, when the warm air from the indoor air gets pushed down into the basement, the water evaporates, causing puddles and leaky basement.

3. Rain or Groundwater:

To ensure your home is habitable, safe, and in excellent condition, it is essential to carry out periodical maintenance from time to time. Ignoring elements of your home that require professional fixing or maintenance can prove to be costly in the long term and may cause further damage. Most of all, it can impact the safety of your home. Therefore, one of the crucial factors that would help you determine what needs fixing and how to go about home maintenance and improvement is to educate yourself on the topic.

This article discusses various factors concerning basement waterproofing Toronto and when is the time to go for basement waterproofing service. Knowing the critical factors that affect basement waterproofing Toronto costs can help you make an informed decision.

Has The Damage Already Occurred?

Are you going for Toronto basement waterproofing because water damage has already occurred? It is an important aspect to consider as the damage needs to be fixed before a wet basement solution can be applied. It would further add to the cost. As a homeowner, the priority is to get waterproofing Toronto done to prevent the water damage in the first place.

Foundation’s Condition

The two most important factors that determine the basement waterproofing Toronto cost are the condition of your home’s structure and foundation. The material used to build a foundation and the foundation’s depth play an essential role in determining the cost of basement waterproofing. In addition, any kind of leaks or cracks in the basement must also be identified before waterproofing is done. Considering these factors would help determine the scope of work needed, which determines basement waterproofing Toronto cost.

Waterproofing Method You Want To Use

Whether you want to get interior or exterior waterproofing Toronto done, it is essential to remember that many different types of waterproofing are done. The basement waterproofing type you choose decides the cost of the wet basement solution. Exterior waterproofing is ideally costlier than interior waterproofing as one needs to induce a conducive environment for the waterproofing to be done correctly.

Additional Factors

When considering basement waterproofing Toronto cost, you need to consider a few other factors, including the materials used, location of the house, and the company used for basement waterproofing services. The cost also depends on the complexity of the job and the amount of time it takes to get the job done. Neglecting these factors won’t allow you to get to the proper estimation of basement waterproofing Toronto cost.

When you’re waterproofing done of your wet basement Toronto, it might seem expensive, and you may not feel the need to get it done. However, it is critical to remember that once the water damage occurs, the cost of repairing the wet basement Toronto would be much higher.

Basements, when used for storage, can become a damp and dark place. Waterproofing in basements at regular intervals is crucial to keep your basement dry, without a nasty smell and seepage. Harris Waterproofing professionals give excellent services to get rid of wet basement in St. Catherine.

Leaking basements can become a critical problem when it starts to affect your home, and ultimately you. It can lead to various health problems by providing shelter to bacterial growth, such as molds. Contact Harris proofing Company today to fix your leaking basement in Niagara before it gets too late.