When your foundation springs a leak
The most frequent question I get from homeowners during the spring has to do with water. Believe me, the first time a homeowner finds water in their home, they want to find out the cause as fast as possible. Water seeping into your foundation can lead to a whole host of problems, like mould or rot.
I’ve spoken at length about the cause of water coming into your home, so you should know a few of the common causes to look out for. The next step is hiring the right professional to waterproof your home to keep any further water from seeping in.
I always say that before hiring any contractor, you want to do as much research as possible. The best guys won’t be available tomorrow. Interview as many contractors as you can — and make sure to ask for (and call), as many of their references as possible. You want to be able to get a full picture of what it’s like to work with the contractor. Did they complete the work properly, and to schedule?
When you’re dealing with water getting into your home, here are some of the major questions you will want to ask.
Are you waterproofing from the inside or outside? I always say to start by protecting the home from the outside first. Here are a few options to consider. Damp-proof coating: Made from a black tar or asphalt compound that is painted onto your concrete foundation, a damp-proof coating doesn’t offer a complete waterproofing solution. This coating is meant to stop the transmission of water vapour through porous concrete. Damp-proof coatings won’t deal with hydrostatic pressure and won’t fix cracks that already exist in the foundation that let water in. Waterproof coating: Professionally applied waterproof compounds can be cured into a rubber coating that’s completely waterproof and can prevent water from seeping into your concrete foundation. If the debate between a damp-proof and a waterproof coating is a concern, it’s likely that a damp-proof coating won’t provide enough protection. Dimpled membrane: Any groundwater that manages to get past the membrane drains to the footing, which will be taken away by your weeping tile. This keeps hydrostatic pressure from building up. That’s a good thing, because with enough pressure against your foundation, even the smallest cracks can allow a lot of water into your basement. Will you check the weeping tile?: If you’re already waterproofing from the outside, it’s a no-brainer to check the weeping tile to ensure it’s still in good condition. If water is coming into your basement, the problem could lie in your weeping tile. Waterproofing from the outside is the perfect opportunity to check to see if the tile is damaged or blocked — and if repairs need to be made, you’re only excavating the area around your foundation once. Will you check the grading?: Water seeping into your home could be an issue of grading. You want there to be a slope of at least five degrees as you move away from the house. In other words, the ground six feet from the home better be three inches lower than the ground by your foundation. That will keep water sloping away from your home.
Once you realize you need to waterproof, you will want to solve the problem quickly. The right contractor for the job may not be available right away — and the last thing you want to deal with is shoddy work that you will need to repair the next year. Take the time to find the right pro, and always bring in the experts first. Watch Mike Holmes in his series, Holmes Makes It Right, on HGTV. For more information, visit makeitright.ca.