Basement Foundation Repair: The Different Types of Waterproofing Solutions
4 Most Common Waterproofing Services for your Basement Foundation Repair Job
Did you know that there is more than one type of basement foundation repair? In fact, there are many types of waterproofing solutions that can be used to seal a wet basement for different types of basement leaks and issues.
RCC Waterproofing offers all kinds of waterproofing services to suit your waterproofing issues but 9 times out of 10, you are going to be choosing one of these 4 basement foundation repair types:
Exterior Waterproofing: Fixing your basement leak from the outside base of your foundation
Interior Waterproofing: Getting rid of excess water and moisture from inside your basement
Underpinning: Increasing your amount of living space while strengthening your foundation walls
Structural Crack Repair: Waterproofing and repairing structural foundation cracks with a special epoxy
This blog post will further breakdown each of these waterproofing solutions and is a source of information for homeowners deciding which waterproofing solution is right for them.
Exterior Waterproofing
Our most common type of basement foundation repair requires waterproofing contractors to dig up the foundation and get at the source. Exterior waterproofing (or sometimes known as external waterproofing) repairs your leaky basement from the outside of your home by exposing the foundation and installing a foundation waterproofing system that will redirect and disperse water away from your foundation walls and into the earth. This is one of the best waterproofing solutions used to fix basement leaks and the most effective basement leak repair.
The waterproofing materials include hydraulic cement to repair the foundation cracks, two layers of Hydro Guard rubberized membrane applied along the foundation wall, a reinforcement mesh, an air-gap drainage membrane that will feed water down to the drainage tile system (weeping tile), and lastly a layer 3/4 inch gravel bedding before we filled back in the dirt and soil that was dug up. With this system applied correctly, you will be protected against a wet basement or another basement leak.
Interior Waterproofing
Have you ever walked down your stairs and noticed that your walls feel wet or your basement feels damp? What about the smell of the basement? You might have a serious moisture problem. Interior waterproofing (or sometimes known as internal waterproofing) is used for situations where the moisture in your basement is not being dispersed properly. Interior waterproofing is the best solution for a damp or wet basement and even be used as a way to waterproofing your home from the inside, in case you don’t have access to the exterior of the house.
When your basement becomes damp and moist, it is best to have an interior waterproofing done in your basement to prevent further growth of mold and mildew, which will create unhealthy smells and bacteria. This is also one of the waterproofing solutions that will help take care of hydrostatic pressure that builds up and causes a wet basement. The waterproofing materials include an interior air-gap drainage membrane to wrap along the walls, drainage tile (or weeping tile) to collect the excess water and discharge it to your sump pump or drain, drainage tile connector pieces, 3/4 inch gravel for drainage, and cement to refinish the parts dug up.
While the basement waterproofing costs are much lower using interior waterproofing (as opposed to the external solution), it al depends on the conditions of the leak. Our sales reps will be able to fully determine if interior waterproofing can be used to solve a leaky basement.
Underpinning
If you are looking for a more livable space in your home, underpinning is a great way to expand the space in your basement to give you more height and sometimes more square footage. This type of basement foundation repair has waterproofing companies expose to the footing of your house and create the basement floor at that level, in turn giving you more livable space. Benching is also done during the process of basement lowering to strengthen your basement walls, further reducing the chances that you will have a basement leak or structural crack.
This process is also known as basement lowering and is becoming one of the most common waterproofing services in Toronto and growing cities that have an abundance of older homes. In many older homes, the basement was never meant to be a living space with low ceilings and exposed ductwork reducing the amount of headroom you will have. While the process is time-consuming and labour intensive, having underpinning down will dramatically increase the value of your home.
Check out this underpinning video to see the process in action!
Structural Crack Repair
Cracks in your foundation will inevitably cause a basement leak in your home. One type of waterproofing option that might be available depending on the type of crack is epoxy crack injections or commonly known as Structural Crack Repair. This type of basement foundation repair uses a two-part epoxy resin mixture to fill in the breakage and bond the wall crack back together. This waterproofing solution is much cheaper and more effective than the other waterproofing so9lutions under certain conditions.
The epoxy is injected into the foundation cracks using specialized plastic ports to fill the crack and bond it back together. Not every foundation crack can be repaired using this method so it’s important to consult a waterproofing contractor like RCC Waterproofing to do an inspection and find out if this option can be used to seal a leaky basement.
Those were our four most common waterproofing services: exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, underpinning, and structural crack repair. Each type of basement foundation repair has its pros and cons and our trained sales reps, who will provide you with a free estimate and consultation, will advise you which one is the best for your home. With RCC Waterproofing these services are all available for you and are all backed by our lifetime warranty guarantee.
RCC Waterproofing and Foundation Repairs has been servicing Ontario customers for over 100 years. Their repairs have outlived lifetime warranties by at least two times. The company provides professionally trained sales representatives to view, assess and quote on repairs. The installers are employees of RCC and most have long term working relationships. RCC carries full insurance including WSIB coverage and HST registration.
RCC Waterproofing offers:
- A Lifetime Waterproofing Guarantee!
- 24-hour emergency services for Ontario residences
- Fully trained technical sales representatives to view, assess and quote the repair
- Over 100 years of third-generation family success both in products and services and superb warranty
- Full-service options, providing either exterior or interior repairs depending on issues, location, and structure
- A successful record of servicing over 75,000 customers
