Exterior waterproofing

Secure your home with exterior basement waterproofing
Exterior basement waterproofing, the most effective solution to a leaking foundation
We apply sealants, install drainage, and put in sump pumps to keep your basement dry. It's like giving your home a shield against water. Yes, it takes a bit of digging and work around the outside of your house, but believe us, it's worth it. This approach is hands-down the most effective way to keep your basement dry and your home safe. You can count on us to do it right, without overcomplicating things.
Our step-by-step waterproofing process
Site survey is conducted to determine the following
- where to pile the dirt that comes out of the excavated trench we will make,
- where we can pile necessary construction materials such as gravel
- where we can safely park trailers, machinery, etc.
Sometimes we require permission from a neighbour to pile dirt on their property in order to conduct our work. We also decide how the site is to be protected, where we need to protect the ground with plywood, and how the site is to be managed during the course of the work. We want to make sure you are still able to get into your home throughout the project.
Utility locates are ordered and a building permit is applied for (if required).
At this time we select a start date, apply for a building permit and order utility locates a few weeks before the digging begins.
Materials/Equipment are delivered & the digging begins
Ground protection boards and shoring sections are dropped on site and the digging begins. Foundation walls/footings are exposed and pressure washed thoroughly. If there are any cracks present we apply the first line of defense – hydraulic cement.
Sealing off the walls
A rubber membrane is then applied to the area that has been cleaned which seals the foundation wall. This membrane is environmentally safe, waterbased, non toxic product. Once cured it leaves your foundation with a seamless coating that is unaffected by a range of acids, alkalis, waterborne salts, ultra violet rays and is resistant to biological deterioration!
Last line of defense
A dimpled sheet air-gap membrane called Delta MS is installed over top of the rubber membrane and helps provide hydrostatic relief… which is what forced the water through your foundation in the first place.
New weeping tile is now ready to be installed.
Weeping tile is a 4″ corrugated plastic pipe with slits around the perimeter running the full length of the pipe and is also covered with a filter fabric.
Gravel is installed
¾” clear gravel is installed over the weeping tile to meet with The Ontario building code.
A filter fabric is installed
A heavy duty Filter fabric is installed over the gravel to prevent dirt from getting into the freshly laid gravel bed. We do this as most of the water that enters the gravel layer comes from above which will only bring with it the dirt that we will be backfilling with once the job is complete. This will also keep the gravel from becoming plugged up in the future.
Inspections
If a permit was obtained a building inspector will be called. The inspector will ensure that the installation of our system is up to code. Once he sees that everything is in order it is time for the next step.
Backfilling
Backfilling of the trench is now ready to take place and the native soil that was removed is now placed back along side your foundation.
Final cleanup
Final clean up is completed and all materials and equipment is removed from the site.
Exterior basement waterproofing & your foundation type
Foundation type plays a big part in the overall price you’re going to pay to get everything sealed up so it doesn’t leak anymore. The description noted above is fairly typical when you apply it to a poured concrete foundation and in most cases a concrete block foundation. It’s quite common to find additional issues with block foundations that we cover in the block foundation repair section of our website. Sometimes these issues are hidden because the basement is finished and are undetected until the exterior has been excavated.
Stone or rubble foundations usually require additional work before they can be successfully waterproofed from the exterior side. Most times the extra work involved is well worth it as it restores the integrity of the foundation and ensures the structure remains sound for another lifetime when done properly. To learn more about this scenario you can visit our stone foundation repair page.