Owning a home can be a blessing and a curse. Many people don’t know much about the construction of their homes or how to properly maintain it. This can lead to a bit of panic when someone talks about basement waterproofing or when they discover a bit of water in the basement. That’s why we’ve created this blog to help you learn more about your home as well as the importance and best practices of basement waterproofing!
What is Basement Waterproofing?
Basement waterproofing is an important part of keeping your home happy and healthy. There are several different ways to waterproof your basement, all with the same goal of keeping outside water out!
How to Waterproof Your Basement
The importance of waterproofing your basement goes far beyond the cosmetic aspect. Our team works hard to ensure that your home is strong and able to keep you and your family happy and safe for years to come. That’s why we’ve developed a 6 step repair process for any basements that are experiencing leaks resulting in a wet basement!
1 Determine Origin of Leak
Determining the origin of the leak is the first step to waterproofing a basement. Once you know where the leak is coming from, you will be able to determine the necessary steps that must be taken in order to resolve the issues. This is a relatively straightforward task to complete when the basement is not finished. If you are unsure of where the leak is coming from, you can contact the experts at GJ MacRae! Our team will visit your home and assess the situation. Once we have located the origin of the leak it will be easier for us to determine next steps.
2. Choose The Right Technique
There are a few different techniques that can be used to fix a leak and waterproof a basement. These techniques are dependent on the type of leak, the size of the leak, as well as your home. The type of home is important because new builds and century homes have different foundations which can result in different types of leaks and subsequently different types of repairs. It is also important to beware of interior injections and exotic repair methods. Many fly by night organizations will say that they are basement repair and basement waterproofing experts when they are simply not. A good way to determine their credibility is to read reviews and do your research.
If the price is too good to be true, then it probably is! Trust the solutions that have truly stood the test of time.
Also learn, Five Step Process For Interior Basement Waterproofing in Toronto
3. Underground Services
Once you have determined what the cause of the leak is, it is time to select the proper repair technique. If the repair requires excavation around the foundation of the home then it is important to be sure all underground services are marked prior to breaking ground. Our team is seasoned in all excavations so we know what to look for. We also take pride in ensuring that your home looks the same as when we arrived, after we leave! This means that we put down tarps and are careful of your landscaping while we’re working. We’re homeowners too so we know the effort and time that you’ve put in and we wouldn’t want to ruin that!
4. Remedy For The Future
Basement waterproofing is a big job. If your home has a foundation crack that is causing water to enter into your home, the exterior repair method is most prudent. This is unfortunately an expensive task because of the work and the expertise that is required. Investing in your home is an important part of being a homeowner and when it comes to the foundation of your home there should be no cutting corners. Oftentimes when it comes to a basement repair, you only have one chance to get it right. Ensure that you place your trust in the experts so that the structure of your home stands the test of time. Plus, when you choose GJ MacRae, you get our 15-year transferable warranty. This means that even if you sell your home, the warranty on the repairs are still active! This isn’t only a boost to your homes worth, it is also a testament to the quality of our work!
5. Cost Vs Workmanship
Selecting your basement waterproofing contractor is a very important part of the process. There are many different companies out there but as with most saturated industries, you get what you pay for. If the price is substantially lower than other quotes from reputable businesses that you’ve received, it could mean that the company is using lower quality materials and/or labour, or simply cutting corners on the job. Since foundation repairs are generally completed below the ground, you won’t be able to see the quality of the work after it’s done and won’t know if the leak is only temporarily fixed until your basement fills with water. Basement waterproofing and repair can be extremely serious and that’s why it’s important to trust the experts!
6. Drainage
Looking for some basement leak prevention methods? Drainage, drainage, drainage! If water is pooling around your foundation this can lead to a leak. Water build up causes hydrostatic pressure which can causes water to squeeze through small cracks that have been caused by a settling foundation. Once water begins to seep in, weather can cause it to freeze and thaw, and eventually the crack will grow and the leak will become worse. That’s why it’s important to ensure your home is receiving the drainage it needs to keep the water away! Maintain your eavestrough and downspouts year round and ensure your grade is positively pitched away from foundation walls. Not sure if this is true for your home? Contact the experts at GJ MacRae and we’ll show you!
If you’re looking to waterproof your basement, contact the experts at GJ MacRae today! Our team can answer all your questions and provide you and your home with quality work that you can trust! Visit our website or call us at (905) 824-2557.
