Concrete Foundation Repair

Almost all basement walls and floors or foundations are made of concrete. The material is very durable and tough, being able to withstand water and soil pressure from all sides. The big downside is the porous consistency of concrete which will later on bring in moisture and water especially if there are leaks and cracks present. A wet basement Toronto can be improved much by learning the proper methods in maintaining concrete. Here are more tips on concrete foundation repair.

When Building the House

The best time to treat and coat the outer concrete walls of the basement is when the house is still being built. At this stage, wet basement solutions can be applied in every area of the foundation because the outer surfaces are still exposed. When the house is already built, soil will be covering all the sides of the basement and it will be hard to look for and seal cracks and other damages. The outer wall can be treated by coating the concrete so that water from the subsoil will not easily penetrate the pores. When the concrete sets and hardens, the concrete foundation repair contractor can also check for imperfections and cracks then fill these in with more cement. The outer foundation is then solidified and made to withstand pressure.

After the House is Built

Once the house is complete, there might be crack and holes that develop after the structure sets into the ground for the first few months. It will be difficult to seal and coat the outer basement walls at this time. The inner basement is usually the area of choice when it comes to foundation repair. If the homeowner insists to do concrete foundation repair from the outside, a trench needs to be dug around the foundation. This is the best time to add a drain too if the house still does not have one. The soil again might have to be re-graded to ensure that water runs off properly.

Using Clay Pipes

Clay pipes or clay drain tiles were traditionally used to lead water away from the house. These can be installed inside and outside the basement. The pipes had no holes but the clay material allows water to enter and then divert it into a remote location so that it does not add pressure to the basement walls. The pipe components were referred to as tiles because these were made from clay which is also used to make bricks. Some drainage systems involve the use of plastic pipes with holes. The clay or plastic pipes are still a very type of popular concrete foundation repair today especially for outside purposes to drive water out.

Using Waterguards

A waterguard is described as a board installed at the base of basement walls to collect and gather water coming in from the vulnerable joint that connects the walls and floor. These are ideal for spaces without footing and are an effective wet basement Toronto method aside from the drainage system. The boards are installed throughout the area to cover the entire bottom of the walls. These are also positioned properly to lead into a pit or drain during concrete foundation repair.