Many Canadian homeowners do not think about their foundations very often, but they should. A home without a solid base can quickly become unstable, and foundation problems that are allowed to worsen can be costly to repair. When foundation issues like water damage are detected early, preventative measures like waterproofing may be all that’s required to maintain structural integrity and prevent further problems. If you live in the Toronto area, you should check your home’s foundation regularly. This is because foundation problems are especially common in Toronto due to the region’s clay soil and freezing winter temperatures.
Understanding Foundation Waterproofing
Foundation waterproofing is a preventative measure that protects the base of your home and keeps moisture out. When water begins to seep into your foundation, the problems it causes get progressively worse over time. These problems can cause cracks to appear in your foundation, and they also provide an ideal breeding ground for fungi like mold and mildew. Over time, these issues could weaken your foundation, jeopardize your health and make your home unstable.
Foundations are waterproofed by applying liquid or sheet membranes and cementitious or bituminous coatings. Membranes create a seamless layer that water can’t penetrate, and coatings provide robust and enduring protection. If you live in an area with porous soil and a high water table like Toronto, these foundation waterproofing techniques could keep your basement or crawl space dry, protect your family from harmful fungal growth and prevent costly structural repairs.
Signs Your Foundation Needs Waterproofing
Freezing temperatures, ice and snow can make foundation problems a lot worse, so it would be a good idea to look for signs of trouble before winter sets in. Here are five signs that indicate your foundation should be waterproofed.
Cracks in Foundation Walls
Cracks in your foundation walls are usually caused by poor drainage or shifting soil, and they should not be ignored. Water that seeps into foundation cracks in winter expands when it freezes, and that can cause serious structural damage. The types of cracks you should look for are:
- Horizontal cracks: These foundation cracks are serious because they reveal that your foundation is struggling to cope with soil expansion or hydrostatic water pressure.
- Vertical cracks: While not as serious as horizontal cracks, vertical cracks can still allow water to penetrate your foundation.
- Diagonal cracks: These cracks indicate that your home is settling in an uneven manner. This can be caused by improper grading or uneven soil moisture levels.
Also Read: Winter Foundation Waterproofing: Is It Possible
Moisture or Dampness in the Basement
Wet spots on the floor, watermarks on foundation walls and powdery mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water are all signs that your foundation is not properly waterproofed. Winter temperatures can freeze the water seeping into your foundation and turn damp spots into cracks.
Mold or Mildew Growth
Mold and mildew can make allergies, breathing problems and immune system disorders more serious, and these fungi grow more rapidly in cold temperatures. Water finding its way into your basement or crawl space creates the kind of damp environment that allows mold and mildew to thrive, so you should act quickly if you see black or green patches on walls or notice a musty smell when you inspect your foundation.
Pooling Water Around the Foundation
Water begins to pool around a foundation before cracks start to appear. Pooling water suggests that the soil around your home is overly saturated, which can be caused by clogged gutters, improperly placed downspouts or poor grading. Water accumulation and soil contraction and expansion creates hydrostatic water pressure that forces moisture into your foundation and can cause serious structural issues. This problem is particularly common in areas with high water tables like Toronto.
Foundation Settling or Shifting
Houses settle gently over time as the soil underneath them shifts, but excessive settling or shifting can undermine a home’s structural integrity. Uneven floors, sticking doors and windows and foundation cracks are all signs of excessive settling, and this problem gets worse in winter when soil freezes. Foundation waterproofing can keep water out, and techniques like underpinning could stabilize your home.
Preventative Measures and Solutions
Toronto received more than a meter of rain in 2024, and all that precipitation can cause a host of problems for homeowners. Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take to avoid them.
Keep Water Away from Your Foundation
Rain that falls into clogged gutters spills down the side of a home instead of being directed to a downspout, so you should clear out your gutters each autumn. You can also protect your foundation by removing water-hungry plants and installing downspout extensions that deposit rainwater further from your house. You can have shrubs and flowers in your garden, but keep them away from your foundation.
Work With Experienced Professionals
A trained eye could spot foundation issues or developing problems that you might miss, so it would be wise to have a professional assessment conducted from time to time. GAMCON’s foundation experts may recommend drainage solutions like sump pumps or French drains to prevent water from accumulating and causing damage, and they could apply interior or exterior waterproofing measures to protect your home’s base.
Why Choose GAMCON to Meet Your Waterproofing Needs?
GAMCON’s waterproofing experts have years of experience, and they help Toronto residents to protect their homes and avoid expensive foundation repairs. We use top-of-the-line waterproofing products and materials, and we understand that no two homes are the same. We also offer transparent pricing when we provide foundation waterproofing services, so there are no surprises or hidden fees. Tight spaces, difficult soil conditions and complex foundations do not deter us, and we comply with all Canadian waterproofing regulations.
Contact GAMCON Today
Foundation waterproofing is an inexpensive and effective way to protect your home’s structural integrity and prevent problems that could be very expensive to repair. A foundation inspection should be part of your winter preparations, and GAMCON can make sure that nothing is missed. You can schedule a consultation by calling us on (416) 888-4188, or you can fill out our online form. Our friendly and experienced professionals will not leave your home until you are completely happy, so contact GAMCON today.
