How to Detect a Foundation Leak
You’ve just noticed that your basement is leaking. What are you supposed to do? Homeowners tend to ignore seemingly minor basement leaks, assuming that the leak isn’t a big deal. This is particularly true for homeowners with unfinished basements. You might assume that the water will eventually evaporate. You might also decide to dismiss the problem until you get money to seek basement repair services. When you ignore a basement leak, you could be perpetuating more serious issues like foundation damage and mould growth. Mould growth is one of the most common repercussions of a wet basement. Mould is extremely dangerous and could risk your health and that of your family. It could quickly spread across the basement and even to other areas of your home. You need a professional to help you determine the exact moisture issue that you’re dealing with.
When you have water seeping into your basement, you need to identify the exact source of the foundation leak. By determining the source of the leak, you can choose the ideal waterproofing method. Below are some guidelines that can help you spot the source of a foundation leak.
Performing a Water Test
If no moisture is present at the time of the inspection, it can be challenging to identify the source of a foundation leak. A water test comes in handy, especially in a finished space where you can’t see the raw foundation, and there are no visible cracks. This test will only take several minutes and can be performed using a garden hose pipe. Use the hose to spray water to the outside of your house and wait for the moisture to seep into the foundation. You have to be patient because it will take some time for the water to saturate and penetrate the foundation wall. Check out for obvious signs like dripping or a wet carpet. Once the water appears on the inside of your foundation, it will be easy to detect the leak source. Your foundation specialist will help you address the leak without causing extensive damage to your finished space.
Tack Strip Inspection
You can identify the source of a basement leak by checking the tack strips on your carpet. This is an easy procedure, given that you only need to pull back your carpet next to the wall and inspect the tack strips. After the inspection, you can easily put the carpet back to its original position. Signs of moisture will leave the tack strip rusted or discoloured. In the case of excessive moisture, the tack strip might darken or even rot. By inspecting the tack strip, you can identify the exact point of moisture entry, often above the rusted area. Based on the extent of damage on the tack strip, you can determine the exact amount of moisture entering your foundation.
Presence of Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a powdery white substance that occurs when water evaporates, leaving behind minerals and salt. If you have water pooling in the floor, efflorescence often appears around the cracks on the foundation. This is a good way of identifying the source of a basement leak when the foundation wall is exposed, or you have an unfinished space.
Perimeter Leaks
Water could be coming up through the floor, into your basement. In this case, the leak could be spread throughout the foundation as water enters where the floor meets the wall. It can be difficult to identify this type of leakage with a water test because you would need a significant amount of water to soak the soil surrounding the walls. Perimeter leaks are common in buildings built on a high water table. Poor drainage could also cause perimeter leaks.
Inspecting the Windows
Water that enters through the windows isn’t likely to cause foundation leaks. If you notice standing water on the window wells or water lines on the window, this could be a sign of poor drainage. You may also need to adjust your sprinklers. Using a water test by spraying water on your windows isn’t likely to indicate your foundation’s condition. It can only reveal the areas of your windows that need repair.
Choose Waterproofing Approach
A damp basement is not only prone to mould problems, but it’s also smelly. There are several causes of basement leaks, seepage, moisture, and flooding. Researching the ideal basement waterproofing method that will offer a lasting solution to basement leaks can be overwhelming. Finding an effective solution will save you money in the long run. When it comes to basement waterproofing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The ideal waterproofing method will depend on the source of the leak, the type of foundation, and your home location. Some of the typical internal and external basement waterproofing methods are:
Epoxy Injections and Sealants
When a drainage system isn’t in your budget, you may turn to sealants and epoxy injections even though they are considered bad-aid fixes. Once applied to basement walls, these waterproofing products prevent moisture from seeping through. Sealants shouldn’t be applied over efflorescence or painted walls. The issue with epoxy injections is that when foundation walls expand and contract, the material might crack. Professional waterproofing experts use a combination of flexible sealants, impermeable membrane, and porous foam to prevent leaks and cracks. Other than repairing the cracked basement walls, you should install a drainage system to prevent flooding.
Interior Waterproofing
Interior basement waterproofing is popular because it’s more cost-effective than exterior waterproofing. It’s also less disruptive than exterior waterproofing since it doesn’t involve excavating the foundation. This method involves digging a trench along with the interior of your basement floor. The waterproofing experts then install a drain and a sump pump to remove the water. The drainage channel collects water where the walls and the floor meets, diverts the water into a sump pump, and the pump drains the water out of the basement.
Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Exterior basement waterproofing involves using membranes and polymers to coat the exterior walls, installing an underground trench drain, or a combination of both methods. Exterior waterproofing is the most effective basement waterproofing method as long as it’s done in the right manner. This waterproofing method is more costly than interior waterproofing because it involves extensive excavation and is more disruptive and dangerous. Exterior drains are prone to clogging, and this could lead to a flooded basement.
You should choose a basement waterproofing method that suits you best if your basement shows signs of leaks. The best waterproofing method will depend on the type of problem and your budget.
What Can You Use Instead
You should check out and repair the cracks on your foundation wall. Repair the cracks with sodium bicarbonate clay and a waterproofing membrane. Repair or replace the exterior drain tile. You don’t have to tear down the wallboard or the panelling inside your basement. You can perform all these repairs from the outside without disrupting your finished basement. Examine the top of your foundation wall, which should be exposed several inches above the grading. You may have to use a shovel to pull back the soil and expose the foundation wall. Examine the wall for hairline cracks. You can use a flashlight to locate smaller cracks. Most cracks on your foundation are shallow and won’t leak. Ensure that you find actual cracks and not the lines that occurred after removing wood forms after the pouring.
You can correct water leaks through your basement windows with caulking. Before you apply caulk to the outside, ensure that the window frame isn’t rotten. If the window frames are rotten, caulking might not address the issue. You may need to repair or replace the existing windows. You should consider replacing the window wells if your windows are below the grade level. Window wells will help to redirect rainwater and snowmelt away from your foundation. You should ensure that there is no debris accumulation in the gutters. The grade around your window should be away from the house, and the downspouts should extend for a significant distance from the foundation.
Check whether the sump pump is functioning correctly and ensure that the water heater hasn’t sprung a leak. If you are still experiencing leakage in your finished area after taking all the necessary precautions on the outside, the issue might be with the sump pump or the water heater.
Use Spray Foam Appropriately
Spray foam insulation is a high-performance product accepted by professionals across Toronto. You can use the insulation in home retrofits or new constructions with excellent success. Spray foam insulation guarantees superior performance, both in the short-term and long term.
Spray foam insulation offers unmatched flexibility, which means that you can install it anywhere. It’s an ideal insulation for exterior walls, basements, and attics. Compared to other insulation products, nothing matches the performance and versatility of spray foam.
If you seek to improve your home’s energy efficiency, spray foam insulation guarantees long-term energy savings; the benefits of spray foam span beyond insulation. When properly installed, spray foam acts as an insulation barrier, air barrier, and vapour barrier, all at the same time. Spray foam insulation enhances the energy efficiency of your HVAC system, allowing it to operate more efficiently.
Some of the specific benefits of spray foam insulation are:
- Spray foam insulation eliminates all forms of air leakages
- Prevents heat loss by providing an airtight seal
- Enhances your home’s energy efficiency
- It helps you lower seasonal energy bills
- It can be installed in different spaces like walls, roofs, attics, and floors
- Compared to other types of insulation, spray foam has a higher R-value
- It reduces moisture accumulation
- It helps you seal all the awkward places
- You don’t have to install a vapour barrier
- It effectively eradicates air drafts
When you choose spray foam insulation, you will appreciate its benefits in the long term because your home will stay well insulated, and you will enjoy excellent energy efficiency. Proper insulation reduces the demand for summer cooling and winter heating. You’ll enjoy energy savings year and after year, which translates to significant income savings.
If you are looking for highest quality construction supplies in Toronto contact Bernadi Building Supplies at 1-866-515-7804.