When a Basement Requires Exterior Waterproofing
If you live in Canada, you have a basement. You may or may not spend a lot of time there, but it’s important that you maintain it nonetheless. The most common problem to afflict basements is water damage.
Failing to protect your basement from water damage can result in permanent problems affecting your quality of life and the market value of your home. If you see one of the following signs, it’s time to look into exterior waterproofing.
Most Common Signs that You Need Exterior Waterproofing
- High Water Table – Many homes are built around soil that is naturally moist due to the presence of a high or fluctuating water table. This means that while your basement may not be wet all the time, if you have a leaky basement (not waterproofed) you’re bound to have problems sooner or later.If you are set on raising your family in the presence of a high water table, make sure that the exterior of your basement is waterproof.
- Mold and Mildew – These nasty developments can be easily spotted by the unpleasant smell. Ignoring the problem can further damage your basement and result in potential health risks. If you notice mold or mildew growing in your basement, it’s important to decipher whether it’s caused by an internal or external moisture problem. That brings us to #3.
- Condensation on Walls – You should check your basement walls for condensation. An easy way to do this is to apply aluminum foil or plastic wrap to the basement walls. If the inside of the material has condensation, you have a damp interior.If the outside of the material has condensation, you have a leaky basement which requires exterior waterproofing. Don’t put this off; the problem will only get worse with time.
- Water Stains in the Basement – This is another obvious sign that your basement is not keeping external moisture out. Stains on the foundation wall means you have a drainage problem which needs to be fixed. Waterproofing may or may not be required in this case.If you find stains across the foundation wall; i.e. not just at the top where drainage can come in, you are looking at the dreaded high water table. In this case exterior waterproofing is absolutely necessary! The safety of your old Rush records as well as the value of your home are at stake!
How Exterior Waterproofing Works
Waterproofing the exterior of your basement isn’t cheap or easy, but as you’ve seen, sometimes it’s necessary. If you decide it’s necessary to go forward with it, call a drainage or plumbing contractor that specializes in leaky basements, such as New Canadian Drain & Plumbing. Visit us on Google+
- Step 1: Excavation – This is what makes the process complicated. In order to perform the waterproofing process the contractor has to excavate around the sides of the house down to the footings.
- Step 2: Applying the Membrane – After the soil has been excavated the exterior waterproofing crew will apply a protective membrane (usually made of polymers) to protect the basement from any external water sources.
- Step 3: Upgrading the Drainage System – The final step involved is to install a new drainage system to prevent outside water from threatening your basement, even with the new protective membrane. Often a plastic drainage pipe called a “weeping tile” is applied, which prevents water from building up near the sides of your home.
Spending the money on having the exterior of your basement waterproofed is no fun but sometimes it is necessary.