4 Excellent Reasons to Waterproof Your Foundation

A wet basement can become a nightmare. Water and moisture that seep through the basement walls can ruin the foundation, as well as the furniture, carpet, and anything you have stored away. If left unresolved, the issue can lead to mould growth, wall cracks, and serious damage to your property. If your basement feels damp or you notice water pooling in certain areas after a rainfall or snowmelt, consider it a tell-tale sign that your foundation is in need of waterproofing. But what is foundation waterproofing? We’ll explain everything you need to know to protect your home and prevent costly foundation repairs below. 

What is Foundation Waterproofing?

Waterproofing is what makes your home resistant to moisture damage by applying certain materials to prevent water from seeping inside. Waterproofing can be applied on either the outside or inside of the walls, or both. There are numerous types of waterproofing applications that you can use to protect your home. To figure out which solution is right for your home, our Foundation Repair expert will first inspect your home to determine what is causing the moisture to get in – poor drainage, high water table, weak foundation – and then recommend the appropriate waterproofing technique to fix the issue. 

Signs You Need Basement Waterproofing

The sooner you spot an issue that requires waterproofing in your basement, the faster you can fix it and prevent serious damage from occurring. 

Here are the common signs your home needs waterproofing:

• Condensation on the windows
• The smell of dampness or earthy odours
• Water puddling in areas
• Water stains on the floor and walls
• Signs of mould and mildew growth
• Cracks on the walls and floors

Why use Foundation Waterproofing?

When you think about home improvements that you want to make, what comes to mind? If you are like many homeowners, your list probably includes things like fencing for the yard, updating the bathroom, or giving your kitchen a facelift. But there are many home improvements that can vastly improve your home’s safety and longevity. One of those is waterproofing your foundation, and we’ve got some very good reasons to consider prioritizing this project:

Here are 4 excellent reasons to waterproof your foundation:

1. It Helps Keep Your Basement Dryer

Have you been struggling to prevent mould or pests from appearing in your humid basement? Or maybe you can’t even use it due to dampness and unpleasant odours. One way to change that is to waterproof your foundation. Because the basement is so close to the foundation, any moisture will impact your potential living space. This can transform a dry and safe basement office, spare bedroom, laundry, and storage space into a damp, mouldy, unstable area. Adding a waterproofing membrane will prevent any moisture from seeping into your foundation walls and will allow you to maximize the living space in your home and basement.

2. Reduce the Risk of Flooding in Your Home

One of the key reasons to waterproof anything is to of course, keep water out. Once water gets into your home, it can cause serious damage. Waterproofing your foundation helps to direct water away from the structure so that even in times of extremely heavy precipitation, your home is at less of a risk of being flooded. Imagine being able to trust that your home will stay dry and warm, even during the most intense storms and dampest seasons. But the key is to act fast.

If you neglect the issue, those minor water puddles you find on the floor could eventually turn into full-blown flooding. And once your basement floods, there’s no going back. The insulation, drywall, framing, wood, furniture, carpet – all of it will need to be replaced. If the insurance company finds out that you neglected to address the issue, they might refuse to refund you for the damages. By waterproofing your home as soon as you notice signs appear, it will ensure you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money replacing all of your treasured belongings. 

3. Breathe Easier With Drier Air and Less Mold

Just like in the basement, having moisture in and around the foundation can affect the overall atmosphere of your home. Having humid air can lead to breathing problems, toxic mould, damage to furnishings, damage to artwork, damage to books and paperwork, and more. Keeping the water away from the foundation will dry up the air and reduce all these problems. This also helps the home feel less muggy during the summer, which means you may be able to save more money by running your air conditioning a little less. It can also mean the difference between having a safe, livable space or a one that could negatively impact the health of you and your family.

4. Keeps Your Home Structurally Sound

Finally, the most important reason to waterproof your foundation is to protect the foundation itself. When moisture gets in and around the base of your home, it starts to weaken. Without a waterproofing membrane on the basement walls, water will continue to infiltrate through the and slowly damage the foundation. If left unfixed, the foundation will start to crack and wear down in those weakened areas. These cracks will only increase 

over time, leading to the structure of your home being seriously compromised. We can’t tell you how many foundation repairs or full replacements we’ve done due to progressive water damage that could have been avoided. By protecting your foundation now, you’ll minimize rot, shifting, leaks, and many other issues. A structurally sound home is also one worth investing in. When you add waterproofing to your home, you are automatically increasing the value. So if you’re planning to sell soon, you’ll be able to use this as a bonus selling feature. 

The Costs To Waterproof Your Home

In most cases, waterproofing your home is not an expensive process. Internal waterproofing systems that involve applying coatings, sealants, or paint to the inside of the walls, can be completed relatively quickly and affordably. 

On the other hand, exterior applications are more costly in nature as the process involves excavating around the foundation to pull up the dirt to get access to the walls and drainage systems below. Depending on the drainage system you already have in place, the scope might require installing a French drain, weeping tiles or sump pump, or simply making any necessary changes to these systems to keep water out from your home. Waterproofing panels might also need to be applied to properly direct water into these drainage systems. The sealant that creates an ultimate barrier will also be added to the outside of the walls to create the ultimate barrier between your home and the moisture in the soil. In the event that your basement foundation has been damaged, the cracks can also be repaired on the spot as well. Because the costs for an exterior waterproofing project will depend on the scope and labour required, the costs can vary. Suppose you want to receive the highest value for your money spent. In that case, it’s important to hire a professional Foundation Repair Expert who knows how to accurately assess the problem and provide you with the right solution.  

If you want honest, expert advice and the best in service and value, our team at the Foundation Experts are ready to help you with all your waterproofing needs. 

Call The Foundation Experts at 613-227-2006 to get started.