Most homeowners who have a basement deal with some sort of basement leaks at some point during the life of their home. When water gets into your basement, it can cause serious problems so preventing basement leaks is important. You cannot always prevent all types of basement leaks, but there are things you can do to prevent them from happening if you take a good look at your home.

Basements naturally tend to have leaks or to flood. The reason for the basement leaks is generally not enough drainage or an improperly constructed drainage system. When the rain water doesn’t drain, it ends up in the ground and can make its way to your basement. This is the reason sump pump was invented. You need to make sure your sump pump is in good working order prior to the beginning of the rainy season. You may want to consider putting in a backup sump pump in case something happens with your main pump and you need to get water out of your basement.

The best way to prevent basement leaks is to keep your roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris. When gutters are clogged, the rain overflows and pools by the foundation. The water makes its way to the ground and ends up in your basement. You should clear out debris from gutters and downspouts at the beginning of the rainy season and throughout the rainy season. All you need is a rake handle and you can clean them out.

Installing splash blocks below the downspouts can also help you prevent basement leaks. The splash blocks send the water away from your house and prevent water from building up and soaking in near the basement. Keep mulch from the foundation of your home whenever possible because mulch holds onto moisture and makes it difficult for soil to dry.

Basements are prone to developing a few different problems. Watch out for items in you basement that could leak. If you don’t take care of your washing machine and you don’t make sure that it is in good condition, it could leak. Watch out for damage and cracks, and look at the hoses to make sure they are in good condition. Your water heater in your basement could also end up leaking but it should last you several years without problems. Watch for rust and moisture to make sure you don’t get basement leaks.

Walk through your home and look carefully at everything, especially your basement every month. Look for things like dampness, discolored walls, or damaged walls. If anything looks odd, take a closer look. Touch potential trouble spots to see if they are damp. Listen for running water when there’s no water on in the home because that’s a good sign you have a leak.

Basement leaks can sometimes be caused by a crack allowing water into the basement wall. It’s not easy, but filling in cracks with caulk can help you avoid water leaks. You can do this yourself and it won’t cost a lot of money.

Preventing a basement wall leak is much less expensive and time consuming than repairing one, especially in Toronto. Leaky basements can cause severe structural damage, and cracks in the wall can germinate mold spores, mildew, and fungus (which are known to aggravate asthma and allergies). There are three major reasons for leaks, as well as three major ways to prevent them. The three major causes for leaky walls in the basement are:

•    inferior work performed during construction
•    exterior water pressure build up causing seepage
•    cracks in the walls or floors upon settling of the house
Fortunately, preventive measures can be taken before as well as after a house’s foundation has been laid. Below are three ways to prevent leaks from taking over the basement.

#1 – Check the Plumbing
Allow a professional Toronto plumber to install plumbing throughout the house, as they are trained to watch out for undue water pressure buildup. However, if the plumbing is already installed and water pressure has become a problem, it can be resolved (and should be resolved quickly) by installing a “weep pipe.” Weep pipes divert water force away from the basement walls.
After installing the weep pipe, it is important to check for cracks. Found cracks need to be sealed immediately, which can be done with regular mortar. Find the top-most point of the crack, and fill downward to the point of installation. Holding the cement in place for at least five minutes will allow the mortar to set properly. Once the mortar is fully dried, it can the be re-exposed to water pressure and the problem should be fixed.

#2 – Preventive Repairs
Any holes and cracks should be filled right away, and repaired properly. Once this is accomplished, waterproofing compounds should be applied to safeguard the area. Small cracks can be filled with a waterproofing compound, but large cracks should be completely cleaned out, enlarged if necessary (to help the new mortar set better), and patched thoroughly. In order to ensure that the large crack has been fully repaired, be certain there are no air pockets, and use a trowel to smooth out the cement against the wall.

#3 – Waterproofing
Once preventive repairs and other fixes are complete, the walls of the basement should be protected with a good waterproofing chemical.  Many Toronto waterproofing companies sell these – just ask. The walls should be dampened with a fine spray before application of the mix—however, no seepage should be occurring (which would mean the repairs are not complete). A stiff brush should be used to apply the compound, and coat all pores in the wall, paying special attention to where seepage has occurred. Once the first coat has dried, the area should be sprayed with water and set overnight. Once set the next day, apply the second coat of waterproofing compound (while the wall is still moist). This is one of the most effective ways to prevent further leaks.

If this sounds like too much work, you’re going to have to call a Toronto waterproofing company to do this for you!