It’s a hole in the ground

“We dig a hole in the ground, we call it a well, and we wish water would go into it. We dig another hole in the ground, almost as deep and much wider, we call it a basement, and we wish water would not go into it.” .

April showers bring more than May flowers.

In recent years, spring conditions often starting in February lead to predictable basement wetness…and sometimes not so predictable. Basements that haven’t shown any signs of dampness can suddenly become damp due to changes in the terrain (i.e. nearby construction), changes in the weather (yes, it’s really happening), and God knows what else is going on in, above, or below the ground. .

Controlling water ingress not only preserves living and storage space, it also protects indoor air quality and maintains your property value.

Some preventive measures

Before you have to dig or remove interior insulation and finishes:

• Make sure exterior slopes, including driveways and sidewalks, are sloped to drain stormwater away from the foundation. An outside grade slope of 3 to 5 degrees is generally recommended.

• Make sure window wells, base exits, and other entry points are protected from rain and storm runoff.

• Make sure rain gutters are the right size for your roof area and slope, and have a sufficient number of downspouts that direct water a minimum of 5 feet away from the foundation.

• Check and maintain your sump pump installation and seriously consider a backup sump pump system.

the facts of life

• 60 percent of Canadian homes have some degree of moisture in the basement.

• There is a 90 percent chance that a block basement will leak within 20 years of construction.

• Almost all poured concrete foundations have some cracks and unsealed form tie holes.

• Not all new homes have adequate drainage or water sealing membranes.

• Despite your best efforts, the question is not “if” your basement will get wet, but “when.”

If you continue to experience dampness in your basement, you may need to explore different options, such as waterproofing or a water management system, depending on the age, type, and location of your home.

Some interior options

• Floor edge allows moisture to drain from perimeter to drain tile

• A drainage membrane separates the basement foundation walls from moisture-sensitive materials.

• A perimeter drainage tile directs moisture ingress into a sump

• Urethane, epoxy, or other crack filler

Some outdoor options

• Waterproofing and drainage membranes

• crack filling

• New exterior drain tile

• Multi-Level Tile Drains

For more information on wet base solutions visit AquaFix Ontario

More good reads at All Around The HOUSE