Services - Spring Renovations

Wet basements are unhealthy basements:

There are many ways which water enters into our basements - all of which are nuisances! When you have a seasonally or continually wet basement it promotes to deterioration of the existing structure through dry rot and mould. Both of these deterioration processes are unhealthy for the building occupants and can affect the body's respiratory system.

Below is a section of a typical residential house constructed after 1983 (depending on the municipality). It shows the way in which the two types of sewer systems (storm and sanitary) drain from our residences and tie into existing street.

How you House deals with rain and Ground Water

1. Downspouts from eaves troughs, and weeping tile drains connect underground and tie into the city storm sewer.
2. Downspouts from eaves troughs drain to the ground, (should extend min. 4' from building and have positive drainage) weeping tiles drain to a sump pit at the interior of the house which discharges to remote location away from the building (discharge to a french drain is ideal is wet areas).
3. Downspouts from eaves troughs drain to the ground, (should extend min. 4' from building and have positive drainage) weeping tiles drain to the city storm or Sanitary (pre 1983) sewers.

Seven most common reasons for wet or flooded basements

A Crack or Fracture Line in the Buildings Foundation Wall. (Most Likely Cause)

A. Excavate, chip and epoxy/point foundation fractures, re tar wall/ drainage mat.

B. Interior Weeping tile system.

Improperly Sloped Grading at Foundation (flat or sloped back)

A. Re-grading of building perimeter to ensure positive drainage.

Plugged or Collapsed Weeping Tile System.

A. Excavate and replace broken sections, add clear stone and filter cloth.

Blockages in the Eavestrough System

A. Disconnect if necessary and remove blockages, re install.

Failure of Improperly Set Sump Pump.

A. Check function of sump pump drainage system and resolve.

Failed Seal at Foundation Penetration, (ie. Window, Door, Gas Line, Water  line)

A. Replace faulty building sealant and compounds that are at fault.

Blocked or Backing up of City Sanitary of Storm. (Least likely)

A. Once confirmed, Call Region of Durham to have service man rectify situation.

Call/ Email now to book an appointment to have one of our experienced and qualified Team members help you resolve the issues!In the Event of an Emergency, Please call your local service providers to have affected services disconnected.

Veridian Connections
(Electrical Utility) before entering basement or flooded area
1-866-579-6819

Enbridge Gas:
1-866-763-5427

Region of Durham:
1-800-372-1104

What John Recommends

Eavestrough Cleaning: After the snow melts leaves and debris will flow into the downspout and clog it, thus preventing any water from properly draining away from your house which can lead to fascia and soffit damage, in addition to broken downspouts. Proper and thorough cleaning and inspecting can prevent these issues before they become a significantly expensive water damage repair.

Downpipe Extensions and Splash Pads: Two very importantpreventative measures to further ensure that water is flowing away from a house and draining against the foundation. Downpipe extensions can allow water to drain several feet away from a house, while splash pads can direct the flow from the downspout in the direction of proper drainage.

Sump Pump and Weeping Tile: For proper water drainage around the foundation below ground, sump pumps require seasonal inspection to ensure that they are effectively draining water from the house. If the weeping tile appears to be compromised, and no longer capable of draining water, it is imperative that it is repaired or replaced before water extensively damages both the foundation and structural integrity of the house.

High Energy Bills:

High energy bills are primarily a result of several leaks within the house where hot or cold air is being released. Prevention of these leaks are paramount in keeping yearly energy costs to a minimum.

What John Recommends

Sealing around Openings: Caulking around all windows, doors, electrical running from the outside to the inside, attic hatches, in addition to maintaining that weather stripping around all doors is airtight.

Increase Insulation: Old or compromised attic insulation doesn't keep either the cool air contained within the house, and therefore allows it to escape via the roof. This constant loss of air is the primary source of energy bills.

Installing New Windows and Doors: Even after recaulking, if a window or door has become compromised (cracked glass, broken seals) and can no longer insulate the rooms temperature, new windows and doors should be installed.

Roof Leaks and Damages:

Weathering will naturally wear down the grit and structural effectiveness of a shingle, which can lead to water damages and leaks in a house. A repair should immediately begin upon detection of a roof leak to prevent further damages.

What John Recommends

Roof Repairs: Any cracked or damaged shingles should immediately be repaired or replaced to prevent damages to the roof system.

Reshingle Roof: Reshingling the roof accesses the entire roof to prevent any further complications, and depending on the damages can result in the removable of rotten plywood, essentially giving the homeowner a completely new roof.