Most homeowners have dealt with leaky basements at one time or another. Even if you have spent time on basement waterproofing Mississauga, you might experience an occasional leak or another related mishap.
In the following article, you will find tips from the expert on how to fix leaks in your basement. For more serious repairs you might want to call a professional plumbing company for issues such as basement waterproofing in Mississauga.
Warning Signs of Issues with Basement Waterproofing Mississauga
Following are some of the telltale signs that you may have issues with waterproofing Mississauga in your basement or crawl space.
- Is your crawl space wet or showing signs of water damage? This results from foundation issues such as cracks in the walls or sagging floors.
- Is your roofline uneven? This could indicate that there are issues with the foundation sinking or settling.
- Are your walls bulging, leaning, or buckling? This is also a sign that there are issues with the foundation.
- Are there major cracks in your wall (more than a quarter of an inch?). This is a serious issue, especially if the cracks extend to the exterior or branch out in varying directions?
- Are you noticing flooding or water damage in your basement?
Fixes for Issues with Basement Waterproofing Mississauga
1. Pump the water from your basement
The most common fix is to pump the water from the inside out. In order to accomplish this, you will need to build an interior drain system. Essentially, you should saw out a channel surrounding the perimeter of your basement floor. Next, you would chip out the concrete and place the perforated pipe in that area. This will then drain the water to a collection tank at the lowest point of your basement which is then filtered outside via a sump pump.
2. Install a curtain drain in your crawl space or basement
Another fix for basement waterproofing in Mississauga is to install a curtain drain. This helps to divert the water that’s leaking into your home, causing damage to your foundation. A curtain drain is basically a French drain. Typically, they are one and a half feet across and 2 feet (0.61 m) deep. They are then filled with perforated piping and gravel that will intercept the water uphill from your home. The water then travels down a slope that is far enough away from your home to prevent water damage. Those who live in wooded areas should opt for solid piping as roots can interfere with the piping.
3. Install gutter extensions
In the event that the downspouts are less than five feet from your home and the water is under 5 feet (1.52 m) from your home, you can opt to add metal or plastic gutter extensions. However, these are only short-term solutions, and you should later install permanent underground drainage.
4. Waterproof your basement walls
An interior drainage system will remove the water from your basement or crawlspace. However, this does not prevent water damage to your basement walls. You should incorporate an exterior french drain system. This will protect the foundation by relieving hydrostatic pressure.
5. Repair the crown
If you are still experiencing leaks in your basement after repairing holes, check to see if your gutters are functioning properly. If that isn’t the issue, you could have issues with surface water not draining properly. Your home should essentially be sitting on a soil crown that is on a slope of at least 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) over the first ten feet of your home going in every direction. This crown will settle over time, which can cause leaking. You can easily repair the crown simply by using soil and a shovel.
6. Repair damage to the footing drains
If you notice that the water is where the walls meet the floor, the issue is most likely with the hydrostatic pressure system. It could be pushing water upward into your crawl space or basement floor. Look to see if there are underground pipes, or footing drains in your home. These are designed to carry water away from your home’s foundation. You can flush the pipes by flushing out pipes with a garden hose.
If these fixes do not stop water leaks in your basement or crawl space, contact your local plumbing company. They can advise you as to what other steps you can take for basement waterproofing in Mississauga.
