Marcin from ExpressRooter, the official contractor for Mike Holmes, is here to address some of the common questions that many homeowners ask. How Mainline Backwater Valves Work A question that home owners often ask is, how does the mainline backwater valve work…
Marcin from ExpressRooter, the official contractor for Mike Holmes, is here to address some of the common questions that many homeowners ask about floor drain backup. How to Resolve Basement Floor Drain Backup There are a ton of questions that…
Your house is much more than just a building. It is your home, the place where you and your family feel safe and secure. Anything that puts your home at risk can have a major impact on your life.
That’s one of the reasons why homeowners tend to worry at the first sign of any cracks, especially when they appear in, or are related to, foundations. The main concern is whether the structure is safe. It is extremely rare that foundation cracks will result in an unsafe building. But, can the same be said about the potential for a wet basement?
Basement waterproofing is the only solution to keep water from getting into your basement and causing major structural damage, as well as mold, decay, and other moisture-related issues. Interior and/or exterior foundation waterproofing is required when ground water builds up in the soil raising the water table. This process causes hydrostatic pressure to occur and push against the walls and floors of your basement. Unless your basement is properly waterproofed, the water will force its way in through cracks in the foundation walls, openings caused by expansion and contraction of the footing-foundation wall joint and up through the floor cracks.
As foundation waterproofing is necessary anytime a structure is built below or at ground level, which is the vast majority of cases, the industry has developed various foundation waterproofing techniques. Although interior waterproofing can also help solve part of the problems, it cannot prevent by itself severe damage. Exterior foundation waterproofing remains the only method recognized by the International Building Code as adequate for the prevention of wicking and molding of building materials.
A basement may get flooded for a number of reasons. It is also true that an efficient drainage system plays a significant role in reducing the probability of getting flooded. However, basement plumbing problems can also cause significant water damage despite the fact that the vast majority of them can be traced back to preventable issues. In order to avoid the frustration and expense associated with a flooded basement, you can get informed about the top basement plumbing problems that present high risks of flooding, but which are perfectly preventable through proper upkeep and maintenance:
Sump Pump Failure – The sump pump is an essential element of defense against basement flooding and an important component of your basement plumbing system. However, the sump pump is exposed to debris and detritus buildup around the screen or opening resulting in sump pump failure. Prevention is quite simple. You can start by pouring vinegar through the pump which will disintegrate debris and detritus. You can also have a professional cleaning of your sump pump on an annual basis — ideally right before the rainy season. You should also test it and run it every two or three months and make sure it’s running properly.
When facing moisture problems, the best approach is to control the source of the moisture rather than try to stop it as a last line of defense. A modern basement drainage system is designed to capture water before it causes tremendous damage to your basement, and ultimately your home. It is unlikely to keep water issues under control in your basement without a proper drainage system, which becomes your only protection against basement flooding.
A wet basement is one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares. From a soaking basement to persistent leaks, water is no friend to your home. The consequences of a wet basement goes beyond the inconvenient mess and disruption of a household routine. Below are 4 major impacts of an improper drainage system.
Are you dealing with a wet basement and looking for an effective solution right now? Or have the recent flooding situations in Alberta and Ontario caused you to worry about your basement’s ability to remain dry? Basement flooding and excessive moisture in the basement is a common problem for a lot of people, and anyone that lives in a house should count basement waterproofing as one of those ‘must-do’ tasks.
Installing a sump pump is one of the most efficient solutions to get rid of wet basement problems which often occur in certain homes that were not designed to include adequate waterproofing systems. Although it is often considered a relatively easy job, sump pump installation is best to be handled by the professionals. If you know that you are far from a reasonably handy person, you should simply trust sump pump installation to the professionals to prevent any damage.
Being the lowest part of your house, your basement bears the brunt damage when a flood or sewer backup occurs. A flooded basement does not only damage your home’s structure and your possessions, it also has the potential to encourage mold growth. After the recent flooding, the City of Toronto has taken several initiatives to encourage property owners to take the appropriate measures to minimize basement flooding. One of these measures is a financial subsidy of up to $3,200 per property to install flood protection devices, such as a backflow valves, sump pumps and pipe severance and capping.
What is a Sewer Backflow Valve?
A sewer backflow valve is a simple and effective flood protection mechanism for the basement. Placed at the point where the sewer exits the building, the valve allows sewage to flow smoothly out of the building but prevents it from flowing backward in case of an overflow. It is a one-way gate that opens only outwards and closes tightly as soon as there is a reverse flow. Since a single back valve is adequate for the entire building, installation, repair and maintenance is easier and a lot less costly.
The available subsidy to install a backwater valve is 80% of the total invoiced amount of up to $1,250. This includes the cost of the labour, materials, permit and taxes.
A wet basement is one of those things that can end up causing you a whole lot of problems if it isn’t handled correctly. Not only does it cause damage to the actual structure of your home, but it can also cause tremendous damage to your wallet if the problem isn’t corrected immediately. If you have had wet basement issues in the past, or you want to prevent a basement leak, it’s a good idea to have your basement waterproofed.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing basement waterproofing contractors for your home.
