Exterior waterproofing is a convenient and effective approach to safeguard your home from a leaky basement. It is also an efficient waterproofing method that needs more work, especially in the soil excavation stage.
Exterior waterproofing is definitely not a DIY project that can be done within days. It involves multiple steps; hence, it is important to hire licensed professionals.
Who doesn’t need a dry basement? With more snow and rainfall, water pressure increases on the house’s foundation. A tiny water leak sealed using a sealant after watching a YouTube video can soon grow into a full basement flooding.
What is the cost of exterior waterproofing?
The price estimate for exterior waterproofing varies depending on the damage- but it is almost in the thousands. Everything is assessed and dealt with accordingly, from repairing to replacing the hardwood, flooring, drywall, and electrical parts. The basement waterproofing cost can go high if the damage is not treated on time or if the homeowner focuses on cleaning the water rather than handling the issue.
As per the Insurance Bureau of Canada, more than 1.7 billion is paid through insurance because of water damage in Canada yearly.
The basement is an all-rounder area and can be used as a living space for the family, a working space for WFH employees, or a rental space. The bad effect of leakage can make your basement unprotected. Hence, dealing with all possible issues at the source is very important.
Waterproofing PD has years of experience rendering exterior waterproofing solutions across residential and commercial properties in Toronto. Just give a phone call and get a free assessment.
Steps involved in exterior waterproofing
- First and foremost, you should safeguard the workspace with tarps.
- Dig down the base of the foundation, around the full house perimeter, and open up the footing and wall to prepare for the waterproofing process. You may need the right set of tools or sometimes a bulldozer for it.
- Assess the walls; repair all cracks by crushing them into a “V” and repair using hydraulic cement. Use water-resistant barriers to cover up the crack and allow the cement to cure.
- Use a foundation aqua bloc that works as a membrane above the cracks covered by cement.
- Use fiber mesh for strengthening, and then apply one more aqua bloc coating. Apply polyurethane for extra security.
- Install drainage membrane and other sustainable materials to keep your basement as dry as possible and finish the moulding.
- Eliminate the old weeping tile, use a new one, and link it to the current weeping title pipe under the floor.
- Cover the weeper with clear gravel and install the filter to partition the gravel from the soil. The system will not work efficiently without the gravel above the weeping tile and the soil under it, as dirt will clog the pipe holes.
- Backfill the ground
- Add the gravel finish, clean the space, and remove all particles and debris.
- Check for window wells and see if they should be changed.
As the process is complex and needs hard work, it is important to hire a professional basement waterproofing company to do the job for you. Look out for reliable installers and start with the project.