If you are the proud owner of a new build home in the Greater Toronto Area, then your foundation was made using poured concrete. Poured concrete foundations started in the 1970s and remains to this day one of the most common types of foundation. That’s because it’s easily molded into shape.

Concrete really is a great building material, but it can crack over time and lead to leak in your basement. Especially the foundations of new homes, which are tested every day thanks to Toronto erratic weather, where heavy rainfalls and severe storms are common. Luckily, City Wide Group’s basement waterproofing solutions are up for the challenge.

Pressurized Injection: The Low-Cost Solution

Pressurized injection (also known as crack injections) is a common method for repairing cracks in the foundation and a relatively inexpensive form of waterproofing. It’s also exclusively used for poured concrete foundations and structures. If your home was built prior to the mid-1970s and/or the foundation was constructed using concrete blocks or cinder blocks, this method won’t work. However, injections are just a preventative measure because it only temporarily prevents a leak.

The average homeowner is not the only one who benefits from this solution, it’s also used to repair leaks in subway tunnels and fissures in mines, which demonstrate the efficacy of crack injections.

Apart from affordability, injections are far less invasive than external waterproofing. The process is simple. Either epoxy or polyurethane resin is injected into the crack. Since it’s pressurized injection, cracks are fills the entire opening in the foundation wall.

The Permanent Waterproofing Solution

The best long-term solution is external waterproofing and excavation. Unlike pressurized injection, this process requires more work and funds, but it’s a guaranteed to keep your basement dry for the lifetime of your home. External waterproofing the foundation becomes especially useful if the interior of the house can’t be disturbed.

The process is more complicated than crack injections since it involves excavation and heavy machinery. Normally, a trench is dug adjacent to the foundation wall, the wall is cleaned and coating is applied. Then a new weeping tile is installed. Lastly, an air-gap membrane is fitted in to protect the coated foundation.

Both pressurized injection and external waterproofing are viable options for homeowners who want to waterproof their foundation. While the former addresses the problem once a crack and/or leak occurs, the latter is preventative in nature. The right one for you will depend on your situation. The affordable option is injection, but it may not always be possible. If you opt for the more expensive external waterproofing to repair your foundation, you can rest assured that your basement is protected against anything Toronto’s weather may throw at it.

Contact City Wide Group today for a free estimate on waterproofing your home ahead of the rainy spring season.