Possible basement troubles in spring

There are many possible troubles that a homeowner can encounter during the spring season if the basement is not waterproofed well:

• Mould grows easier in a humid environment. This is a serious side-effect of a leaky basement, since it can introduce dangerous health hazards to you and your family. Mould’s effects on the body can include sinus infections, asthma attacks and even allergic reactions. Black mould is the most dangerous type of mould due to its toxicity which can lead to respiratory and pulmonary problems.
•  Structural damage is another common problem caused by basement leaks in spring. Water usually sits around the foundation of the house, which can put pressure against the foundations and cause the wall to move inward, crack, or create weak spots in which the water can enter easily.
• Bugs are also attracted to moist environments. Carpenter ants, termites, roaches, and other bugs can appear in a wet basement during the spring, possibly leading to an infestation.
• Lowered house value: Houses with basement problems tend to stay on the real estate market much longer, and those problems can lower the market price.

How you can detect possible leaks before spring time

There are some early signs of a basement leak that a homeowner can look for in order to detect a problem in the waterproofing system before spring time, when the snow melts. Some of the most common causes are:

• Presence of mould or efflorescence
• Cracks in walls or floors
• Rust stains on appliances and metal objects
• Dark stains on wood
• Bugs

In order to prevent basement leaks, there are few things that can be done.

1. Gutters: prevent them from overflowing by cleaning them of leaves and making sure that the downspouts are well installed, at least 10 feet from the house.
2. Slope: pavement and landscape tends to create a slope towards the house with time. In order to prevent spring basement leaks, the slope should face away from the house.
3. Irrigation: lawn irrigation should be placed far from the house to prevent moisture.

Spring real estate market and leaky basement problems

If you are planning to sell a house with a leaky basement, you should be aware that this problem can affect the price of the house, as well as the number of offers received. Fixing any leaks and/or waterproofing the basement would be beneficial in boosting your selling price.

If, on the contrary, you are considering buying a house, it is important that you contact an independent home inspector to perform a full inspection of the house, paying special attention to the basement. Using moisture meters and thermal imaging, inspectors can detect any humidity and/or leaks in the basement, which will give you an advantage when negotiating the price of the house.

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If your block foundation walls have been prematurely damaged by the high levels of the groundwater hydrostatic pressure, which combined with a faulty weeping tile, causes your basement to be damp and moldy, Watertite can waterproof your basement.

Step 2. Excavate, Clean and Prepare Foundation Wall

The first step in basement waterproofing is to excavate the ground around the concrete block foundation until the damaged weeping tile is revealed. After that, the foundation walls are power washed and cleaned, to prepare them for the next phase of the process.

Step 3. Repair and Refill Damaged Areas With Hydraulic Cement

The damaged areas in the basement walls are repaired by filling them with hydraulic cement. It is similar to mortar, and after it is applied, it sets and hardens extremely fast, great for stopping water leakages. The faulty weeping tile is removed.

Step 4. Apply Parge Coating

Next, a parge coat is applied over the block foundation, which consists of Portland and masonry cement with bonding agents. It’s used to level the surface and to fill up the air voids and bugholes on the exterior.

Step 5. Apply Rolled Foundation Sealer

The next step is the application of foundation sealer with the help of a long nap roller. After it has dried, a second layer is applied over it for increased efficiency.

Step 6. Install Delta-MS Air Gap/Drainage Membrane System

A Delta-MS waterproof membrane is installed over the coatings. It’s made of high density polyethylene, which is durable and lasts a long time, while also being safe for the environment.

Step 7. Install Filtered Weeping Tile & Gravel Impactment

The new filtered weeping tile is installed in place of the old one. The filter has the role of preventing blockage in the pipe, especially in sandy soils. The pipe is then surrounded by gravel, which acts as secondary drainage.

Step 8.  Backfill, Compact & Restore Surface Materials

All that’s left is to backfill the excavated ground, slope it away from the foundation and restore it to the way it was. You can now enjoy his clean, damp free basement.

If You Want It Done Right Call Watertite!

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Step 1. Leaky, Damp and Mouldy Unprotected Foundation

The hydrostatic pressure generated by the rising groundwater is the main cause of the cracks appearing in your brick foundation. In time, the surface water infiltrates into the ground around your foundation. Also, a damaged weeping tile doesn’t help either.

Step 2. Excavate, Clean and Prepare Foundation Wall

The procedure of waterproofing a basement starts with digging up the soil around the house with the use of small excavators and shovels. The unearthed brick wall is then cleaned and examined for damages.

Step 3. Repair and Refill Damaged Areas With Hydraulic Cement

If cracks in the wall are found, and 95% of the time they are, the contractor uses hydraulic cement to fill them up, thanks to its ability to rapidly set, usually around 3 minutes. They clear away the damaged weeping tile as well.

Step 4. Apply Parge Coating

After the deteriorated brick wall is repaired, a parge coat is applied. It’s made of Portland cement with bonding agents and is used to smooth hide imperfections on the surface.

Step 5. Apply Rolled Foundation Sealer

The workers use a long nap roller to apply foundation sealer. It acts as a barrier between the brick foundation, which is naturally porous, able to trap water inside.

Step 6. Install Delta-MS Air Gap/Drainage Membrane System

The contractor then installs the Delta-MS drainage membrane system. It features a layer of hydrophilic geotextile that efficiently drains the water away.

Step 7. Install Filtered Weeping Tile & Gravel Impactment

The new weeping tile is now ready to be installed. Made of high density polyethylene, it’s flexible and tough at the same time, as well as extremely durable.

Step 8.  Backfill, Compact & Restore Surface Materials

The only thing remaining is to fill up the area around the foundation and to put everything in its place. The client won’t be able to tell the difference, except for the fact that his basement is no longer wet and moldy.

If You Want It Done Right Call Watertite!

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Step 1. Leaky, Damp and Mouldy Unprotected Foundation

If you’re living in an older home, chances are it has a stone foundation. Even though stones are extremely durable, the mortar used to set them in place is more susceptible to water leakage, causing the dampness in your basement.

Step 2. Excavate, Clean and Prepare Foundation Wall

With every new basement waterproofing project, the first thing the contractor does is use excavators and shovels to dig up the soil around your house, until the foundation wall and the damaged weeping tile are completely unearthed. The wall is cleaned of any soil and the crumbling mortar is removed.

Step 3. Repair and Refill Damaged Areas With Hydraulic Cement

Hydraulic cement is then used to fill up any gaps in the wall. It takes about three minutes to set and, as it hardens, it expands, tightening up the cracks around the pipes.

Step 4. Apply 2 Layers of Parge Coating

For the foundation wall to have a smoother surface after the filling, a parge coat of mortar is applied over its entirety. After it’s completely dried up, a second layer is added to get the right thickness.

Step 5. Apply Rolled Foundation Sealer

After that, a foundation sealer is applied over the parge coat by workers with the help of nap rollers. The foundation sealer mostly used is an elastomeric sealer and acts as an efficient barrier against water penetration.

Step 6. Install Delta-MS Air Gap/Drainage Membrane System

Now, the Delta-MS drainage membrane is precisely cut and ready to be installed as the third and final protection layer. The dimples in the membrane channels the water trapped inside it into the drain tile without ever touching the foundation wall.

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Step 7. Install Filtered Weeping Tile & Gravel Impactment

new filtered weeping tile will be installed. It will keep the water level lower than the basement floor and help avoid hydrostatic pressure against the foundation walls. The ditch will then be partially back filled with gravel, which acts as an additional water filter.

Step 8.  Backfill, Compact & Restore Surface Materials

The job isn’t over until the gutter is properly filled and sloped away from the house, and everything is restored to the way it used to be. When executed by a proper contractor, basement waterproofing does no damage to your home. On the contrary, it helps protect it by keeping the foundation walls and your basement dry.

If You Want It Done Right Call Watertite!

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