Basement Waterproofing in Ottawa

If you have ever dealt with a wet or flooded basement, then you know that effective solutions for problems like mold and humidity are hard to come by. We provide quality basement waterproofing in Ottawa for homeowners that want to avoid these problems – and enjoy their extra living space. Over the years, we’ve solved all the problems for leaky, wet basements.

4 Excellent Reasons to Waterproof Your Foundation

Why Do You Need Basement Waterproofing in Ottawa?

One of the biggest problems with wet basements is their ability to grow mold and mildew. These are both a type of fungus that can invade wet environments. Where mildew is usually a grey substance, mold is usually black or green. It is often found in basements that have flooded, that have extreme condensation issues or water infiltration problems.Mold can damage the house itself, but it is very dangerous for your health. The presence of mold spores can cause coughing, skin irritation, stuffiness, lung infections, respiratory illness, asthma attacks, throat irritation, eye irritation, and more. Both the structure of your home and your health are in danger if you allow mold to stay in your home. Once mold is present, it can be very hard to get rid of unless a professional company as ours is brought in to examine the cause and provide solutions that last. That is why basement waterproofing in Ottawa is so important; it can help prevent mold from growing in the first place, which helps you avoid the health and home dangers of this fungus.

How We Tackle Basement Waterproofing in Ottawa

Seeking a professional basement waterproofing Ottawa service can mean many different things because not all basements suffer from the same issues. Your basement may be flooding due to a cracked foundation, or from a variety of other different issues. Whatever the problem, we can help you identify the issues, and then tackle the solution together. Our team will inspect your basement, diagnose the problem, and give you an estimate on the repair costs so that you know exactly what you’ll need to budget for.

We’ve been providing homeowners with experienced basement waterproofing in Ottawa for years, and our experience has led us to understand that no two basements are ever alike. We use all the best tools, materials and services combined with industry-leading experience and warranties to create a custom solution for your wet basement problems. You want to keep your basement a safe place to store your belongings, you want to expand your living space to the basement or maintain the health and marketability of your home. We want to help you achieve this.

Our services include waterproofing the exterior of your home’s basement, addressing the root cause of the flooding in your basement, and more.

Our Basement Waterproofing Process

The process in which your home or business foundation is waterproofed is dependent on many factors such as site access, the type of foundation, its age, the material used in construction, bedrock or large rocks, city services, underground utilities, and more. The Foundation Experts Inc. have the experience, reputation, and a long-standing success rate at waterproofing foundations that few others can offer. When waterproofing a foundation, a custom-designed repair specification specific to your house is implemented in order to achieve the ultimate result that will be functional, providing a dry, warm, and healthy environment.

Our Foundation Waterproofing Steps

Step 1: Identification of All Underground Services

This is required by law in order to ensure the safety of our clients, our team, and in order to not disrupt the underground utilities that power the city. Once the underground utilities such as natural gas, hydro, water, internet and otherwise are identified, only then can we move onto the next step, which is site preparation.

Step 2: Site Preparation

Site preparation is required to gain access to the foundation by means of excavation. Asphalt may need to be removed, or interlock or other landscaping may need to be moved while we perform the waterproofing project.

Step 3: Excavation

Next is excavation to expose the exterior foundation walls and foundation footings. Excavated materials are typically removed from the site, disposed of, and then replaced by a non-frost susceptible and free-draining backfill material such as crushed stone or sand.

Step 4: Foundation Cleaning and Repair

Once the foundation is exposed, we will then clean it and repair any cracks using specialty products. This is when we will be able to view and examine the foundation for any distress or other issues such as structural related issues that would require repair.

Step 5: Air Gap Membrane Installation

Air gap technology was used in Europe for many years prior to it being available in North America. There are many benefits to this technology, and no other type of membrane can offer the same advantages as these membranes do. Understanding how it works is critical, and the basic concept is often confused by adding other products in conjunction with air gap technology.

These are links to the primary brand names we use in foundation waterproofing along with the installation instructions:

https://www.dorken.com/en/our-products/products/residential/delta-ms.php

https://armtec.com/platon-membrane/platon-foundation-wrap-2/

Step 6: Weeping Tile Installation

Once the membrane has been installed on the foundation, the most crucial aspect to foundation waterproofing is then installed, which is the weeping tile or French drain. Foundation Waterproofing doesn’t work unless the water is able to evacuate from around the foundation nor is it efficient if not installed correctly. The weeping tile needs to be connected to a discharge source such as city infrastructure, a sump pit/pump or by means of gravity. Crushed stone is installed over the weeping tile as per the Ontario Building Code. Once the weeping tile is installed, we then install window wells as necessary on basement windows and backfill.

Step 7: Backfilling

Backfilling the excavation is when the project is nearing the end. Backfilling with crushed stone, sand, or native materials (if appropriate) is the final stage before re-landscaping the property.

Step 8: Post-Installation Work (Including Landscaping as Needed)

Landscaping and/or reinstatement of previous landscaping can now occur as the intrusive work has now been completed. Trust when hiring The Foundation Experts Inc. that you will never need to redo any landscaping ever again as the waterproofing of the foundation was completed correctly the first time.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Sit back and relax, enjoying a dry and healthy environment that will maintain or often increase the value of your home or business. Backed by a 25-year transferable warranty, your investment is secure and if you ever need us, we will be there to address your concerns at any time.

Consider Basement Waterproofing in Ottawa

If you have ever had to deal with wet basement problems before and want to avoid them again, or you want to prevent your basement from flooding in the first place, then consider having real professionals waterproof your basement. This process will eliminate all possibilities that your basement will become damaged due to water. Waterproofing can involve changes to both the interior and exterior of your basement to ensure that it stays dry. To learn more about the processes and to get a quote from the basement waterproofing Ottawa experts, call our office at 613-227-2006.

Waterproofing FAQs

Waterproofing is applied to concrete surfaces to prevent water or moisture from permeating through or into the concrete. Concrete can be waterproofed on above and below grade surfaces with a variety of materials, each with specific applications.

Improper, failed or non-existent drainage around foundations is the usual culprit when it comes to a wet basement and/or leaking foundation. Foundation drainage in conjunction with a below grade foundation waterproofing membrane will eliminate a wet basement.

Without a waterproofed foundation, leaks and flooding can easily occur. If left untreated, the water can also wreak havoc causing structural damage to the concrete, wood, and steel components. The interior air quality of a home is affected greatly with the presence of water, mould, humidity, rot etc. on the interior of the home, causing health issues for it’s occupants.

Not all basement leaks are covered under homeowner insurance policies. Floods caused by an internal source are often covered, but external water sources are not. Waterproofing your home can help to prevent expensive damages that you would have to pay out of pocket to fix and repair.

There is a wide range of waterproofing methods and materials out there, but only one will be right for your property. A qualified professional will inspect your property to determine the right waterproofing system based on your location and the type of foundation used in your property. If you hire an amateur or attempt to waterproof your home on your own, you likely won’t get the leak-proof results that you need.

The effectiveness of the waterproofing materials will depend on the method used to install and the quality of the products. Some materials will last for decades if applied correctly by a professional. That’s why our team guarantees that the installation is done correctly to extend the lifespan and give you long-lasting results.

Waterproofing your basement can solve many water-related issues, but some homeowners will require a combination of solutions to keep moisture out of their basement. To ensure you have the best approach for your property, our team will perform a full assessment of your drainage system and make recommendations based on your needs.

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