What You Need To Know About Basement Waterproofing–Including How To Do It

What You Need To Know About Basement Waterproofing–Including How To Do It
by Scott Faith

After a near-miss with the recent heavy rains, I got a whole lot more interested in the threat of flood damage.  This is what I found:

Any building with a basement stands a high chance of water seepage.  This often happens through the basement wall, particularly during heavy rains. The water usually accumulates at the floor line of the basement, and if nothing is done, this water can result in damage of the basement wall and anything around it. When the water gets into the basement via the cracks of the foundation, it can lead to structural instability which can result in disastrous effects. So, we usually say prevention is better than cure, and the best way to do this is to choose basement waterproofing.

Another thing you should know is that if you have built your house using porous materials like concrete block, there are higher chances of water percolation and seepage through this material which finally ends up in the interior area of the building. Water vapor and capillary action are other sources of the moisture in our homes. So, what should you know about basement waterproofing, and how can it help you.

Ways Water Gets Into Your Basement

There are many ways in which water can get into your basement. A typical basement is made of the following;

• A footer which is the resting position of the walls.
• A floor slab.
• A foundation wall.

Normally groundwater and underground water are the two the main sources of water that penetrates your basement.

Underground water usually gets into the basement when it rises due to hydraulic pressure which forces it upwards.

So what actions do you take when this occurs? The answer is simple. Opt for basement waterproofing. Here are some things we thought would be essential to you, but before we get into that, let’s first understand the meaning of basement waterproofing:

What Is Basement Waterproofing?

This basically means any technique employed to prevent water from seeping into the basement or your house.

Basement Repairing Methods.

There are various ways you can choose in waterproofing Toronto basement. They vary in the way they are done and also their cost. But before we dive into them, here are some facts about these methods;

• When you see a crack, you may seal it either from inside or outside, but this method is not only ineffective but also costly.
• You may opt for moisture-resistant flashing, but it may not be an effective method since it may fracture because of the expansion of your structure or poor installation.
• By using plywood where it is placed against the wall foundation before putting concrete mixed with water is a good way, but it has some cons; first, it may cause damage to the edge of the floor. Secondly, it may add the cost of the labor and lastly; the concrete floor might shift.

Here are two methods that experts recommend

Drainage Control.

This method uses a drainage control apparatus. Here one leg of the apparatus is placed vertically to the vertical wall of the basement while the other leg is placed horizontally to the upper leg of the footing of the foundation. The vertical leg is fixed with an embossment (yes, that is a real word) at the lower end of the vertical footing. It also comes with a longitudinal spacer lip which is set at the head of the vertical footing. The spacer and the embossment are connected to the vertical side of the basement wall to keep the space between the vertical sidewall and vertical footing. The horizontal footing comes with a tunnel that allows water to flow into the drainage pipe.

This arrangement is quite easy to install, and it is effective since it drains water from the basement interior.

Sump System.

This appears rectangular. It consists of two side components with holes to exchange underground and groundwater while preventing debris from entering the pipes. On the opposite side of the pipe, there is an inlet which is made to connect the other components of the basement waterproofing arrangement in the liner of the sump. The base is well configured to offer the right stand for the sump pump. There is also a lid which semi-fixed and can be removed, and this offers access to the interior while keeping debris away. This method not only prevents water from getting into the basement but also reduce erosion effects.

Scott Faith is a veteran of a half-dozen combat deployments and has served in several different Special Operations units over the course of his Army career. Scott’s writing focuses largely on veterans’ issues, but he is also a big proponent of Constitutional rights and has a deep interest in politics. He often allows other veterans who request anonymity to publish their work under his byline. Scott welcomes story ideas and feedback on his articles, and can be reached at havokjournal@havokmedia.com.