wet basement Archives - Basement Waterproofing

Weeping tile, heavy rain and your home

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Aroash

It’s that time of the year again – fall. It means cooler weather, crunchy leaves and kids going back to school.

It can, however, also be a homeowner’s nightmare. Unpredictable weather from September to November can bring heavy rain. Consequently, many people experience moisture or water seepage issues in their basement during this time. The cause? It’s often the result of old foundation weeping tile – an indicator that your home may be in need of exterior waterproofing.

How does weeping tile work?

When homes are built, weeping tile is usually laid around the perimeter of the foundation, beside the footings. See below:

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The purpose of the weeping tile is to create a channel for groundwater to travel to proper drainage. Small slits in the hard plastic allow for water to take the path of least resistance and enter the pipes. This prevents water from saturating and pooling around the footings and then resulting in leakage and a wet basement.

The issues with old weeping tile

Over time, the weeping tile can break or become blocked with soil. Sometimes, older weeping tile is made from clay, which with age, can crumble and deteriorate. These scenarios all lead to water flowing over and interfering with your home and causing a wet, leaky basement.

The solution

If you experience any of the above, there is a high possibility that the weeping tile needs to be replaced, as well surrounding the new weeping tile with gravel to create a soil-free zone, and then surrounding both the weeping tile and gravel with fabric – a geo-textile filter cloth – to prevent clogging. This provides two layers of extra protection to ensure that dirt stays out and water reaches the weeping tile. The walls are also sealed with the highest quality rubberized urethane, poly sheeting and dimple board to guarantee a waterproofed foundation.

My basement is leaking – what do I do?

DryShield Water Solutions can help. We’re a 100% Canadian owned company and Ontario’s leading foundation repair specialists. Our team of experts can help diagnose the issue and provide you with a range of basement waterproofing solutions. Request a free estimate online, or call us at 1-800-277-5411. We are here to help.

The Importance of Sump Pump Battery Backups

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Jonathan

There are many reasons your sump pump can stop working. When this happens, you run the risk of a wet or flooded basement. Having a sump pump battery backup will prevent this nightmare from occurring. If the primary pump fails, the battery-powered pump takes over and ejects the water. A small price to pay for keeping your home and peace of mind intact!

What causes sump pump failure?

Power outage – This is one of the most common reasons. A storm, lightning or heavy rains can cause a power failure, which means your sump pump will not work when you need it most.
Pump overload – A lower capacity sump pump can break down as it cannot handle the large volume of rain water or melting snow.
Floating switch – A frequent cause of pump failure—the switch can get trapped against the pump, discharge pipe or power cord and cannot be turned on.
Worn out switches – When made of poor quality materials, the switch can wear out causing the motor to burn.

A sump pump battery backup is easy to install. It connects to the existing discharge pipe or you can run a separate pipe for it. Unlike water-powered systems, a battery backup system works even when there is no water supply. This is one if its biggest advantages.

Selecting the Right Sump Pump Battery Backup System

A battery-powered sump pump backup consists of a battery, a battery-powered pump, a charger and additional piping. The best quality units come with a larger battery and a more sophisticated battery charger. The larger the sump pump battery the longer the run-time. A good quality charger will also prolong the battery’s life.

Not sure which type of sump pump battery backup system is right for you? DryShield® can help! As a licensed contractor with the City of Toronto, we will ensure you have the correct system for your needs and that it is properly installed. We install the latest sump pumps with advanced options like an alarm that notifies you on your cell phone.

Need help with your wet basement? Contact one of our basement waterproofing specialists who will be more than happy to provide you with a free inspection and offer the right solution for your specific situation.

Foundation Waterproofing 101

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Jonathan

Foundation waterproofing can prevent the stress and expense of a wet basement remediation. Cracks, sinking and heaving of foundations is not uncommon and it is one of the major causes of basement leaks and flooding.

Our experts have provided an overview of waterproofing methods, estimated costs and warranties. Why wait for a problem to occur before you fix it when you can prevent it from happening in the first place?

Foundation waterproofing methods

There are many different foundation waterproofing solutions to help fix or prevent wet basement issues. These range from installing a sump pump, foundation anchors, a foundation pier system, a waterproofing membrane, to crack injection. Determining which one works best for you involves identifying the exact cause of your problem and the potential risks. Get an expert to inspect your foundation to get the right answers.

Foundation waterproofing costs

The cost of your waterproofing project is linked to the type of work that needs to be done. Crack injection costs, for instance, differ from installing foundation anchors or a pier system. It also depends on whether you need interior or exterior work or both. Get quotes to estimate your expenses but do not choose a service provider solely based on price.

Foundation waterproofing warranties

A warranty is only as good as the company that provides it. Selecting the right foundation waterproofing company, therefore, is critical to quality workmanship and avoiding future problems. Check the company or contractor’s credentials to ensure the warranty will hold good.

DryShield® specializes in foundation waterproofing for both residential and commercial properties in the Toronto and Hamilton areas. As one of Canada’s largest waterproofing companies, we have wide-ranging experience that includes big names like Pearson International Airport, Scotia Bank and Wal-Mart to name a few. Our contractors are experienced, licensed, insured and offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

If you have a wet basement or cracked foundation, call 1-800-277-5411 today, or use our Crack Injection Online Estimator Tool for a quick quote.

A foundation waterproofing specialist will be more than happy to provide you with a free inspection and offer a solution.

Wet Basement Waterproofing 101

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Jonathan

Wet basement waterproofing can preserve your home’s structural integrity and value. A leaky basement reduces property appeal and can mean having to lower your price significantly at the time of sale. The best solution is to take precautions that will prevent this from happening.

Homeowner’s Guide to Uncovering Wet Basement Leaks

Inspect basement windows: Damaged caulking and cracks are a common cause for water entering a basement. Poorly insulated windows and high humidity can also lead to moisture and condensation, which cause leaky windows. Look for pooling water.

Examine your basement floor and walls for cracks: This is another point of entry for water. Effective basement waterproofing requires you to fix cracks before you can waterproof them.

Check your eavestroughs and gutters: Clogged or broken eavestroughs and downspouts can cause leaks as well as channel water towards the foundation of your home. This water will eventually seep into your basement. Ensure eavestroughs, downspouts and gutters move water away from your house.

Take a look at the grading around your house: Make sure the area is sloping away from your home.

Ensure your pool is not leaking: A leaking pool or pool pump can lead water towards your building and basement. Inspect your pool at the beginning and end of summer to catch and fix these problems in time.

DryShield® offers various solutions to address wet and leaky basement issues including, internal drainage systems, external waterproofing/window wells, crack injections and sump pumps. As one of Canada’s largest waterproofing companies operating in the Toronto and Hamilton area, we pride ourselves on excellent workmanship and customer service.

Not sure what wet basement waterproofing problem you have? Call 1-800-277-5411 or use our handy basement diagram and find out today!

One of our basement waterproofing specialists will be more than happy to provide you with a free inspection and offer the right solution.

CALL: 1-800-277-5411 24H SERVICE

Call: 1-800-277-5411

Tag: wet basement