When the ground freezes and rain turns to snow it may be easy to think that your waterproofing problems can be relegated to the spring to do list. It is human nature to ignore an inactive problem but such short-sightedness can be a damaging mistake. If you have had a foundation leak in the past, you still have it and it is probably getting worse.
How can your basement wetness problem increase when there is no active sign of leaking water? One of the greatest contributing factors to a wet basement is the freeze/ thaw cycle of Canadian winters. The surrounding ground and your house expand and contract at differing speeds and amounts. The movement of the foundation can cause cracks to enlarge and joints to open such as at the footing where most water infiltrates. A second winter effect is usually the pulling away of the surrounding ground from the foundation as the groundwater contracts. This leaves a sometimes quite visible gap around you house- the perfect opening for any free flowing water to follow as water will always take the path of least resistance in its quest for lower levels. Finally, there are the difficulties created by ice jams on roofs and in eaves troughs and downspouts. These are the functional systems that remove water from your house and when they are impeded the water must find a different route, often over the sides and to the ground directly beside your foundation, the ideal place for basement leakage.
But baby it’s cold outside, there’s no free flowing water. Don’t be deceived. Quick melts and above freezing temperatures with rain are actually part of the normal weather patterns in the Greater Toronto area. They happen every year and you can be prepared.
Winter is a great time to call in a waterproofing expert from Benchmark Waterproofing Inc. Our professionals can show you what’s going on, provide a free estimate of the required work and schedule your wet basement solution. You can keep your home cozy, warm and dry.