Keeping your home safe and dry is super important. This guide is all about why you should care about your home’s foundation and how to keep it in good shape with waterproofing.

1. Why Your Foundation is Important

• Why it Matters: The foundation is like the backbone of your house. It keeps everything stable. If it’s not healthy, you might see things like saggy floors, stuck doors, or worse, big structural problems.

• Common Problems:

  • Cracks: These can be horizontal, vertical, or stair-step shaped, and they all mean different things.
  • Settling: When your foundation sinks unevenly, it can mess up your floors and walls.
  • Water Leaks: Water can sneak in through cracks, leading to mold and mildew.

2. Signs Your Foundation Needs Fixing

• Cracks: Look for:

  • Horizontal cracks from water pressure.
  • Vertical cracks from the house settling.
  • Stair-step cracks in brick or block foundations.

• Uneven Floors: If your floors are sloping, your foundation might be shifting.

• Door and Window Trouble: If doors and windows are hard to open or close, your foundation might be misaligned.

• Basement Moisture: Damp walls, mold, or a musty smell in the basement are bad signs.

3. How to Protect Your Foundation

• Good Drainage: Make sure water flows away from your house:

  • Slope the soil away from the foundation.
  • Set up French drains or other systems.

• Clean Gutters: Keep your gutters and downspouts clean so water flows away properly.

• Proper Grading: Make sure the ground slopes away from your house to keep water out.

• Waterproof Coatings: Put sealants on basement walls to keep moisture out.

4. DIY Waterproofing Tips

• Interior Sealants: These are easy to use and cheap but only a short-term solution.

• Fixing Small Cracks: Use epoxy or polyurethane injections for small cracks.

• Sump Pumps: Install a sump pump in your basement to manage water but check it regularly.

5. When to Call the Pros

Sometimes you need help from professionals:

• Exterior Waterproofing: This means digging around the foundation, putting on a waterproof membrane, and adding drainage tiles.

• Foundation Underpinning: This involves:

  • Helical Piers: Screwed into the soil for stability.
  • Concrete Piers: Placed under the foundation for support.

• Crawl Space Encapsulation: Sealing the crawl space can keep moisture out and improve air quality.

6. Picking the Right Contractor

Choosing a good contractor is key:

• Research and Reviews: Check their credentials, licenses, and read customer reviews.

• Get Multiple Quotes: Compare prices and services from different contractors.

• Know the Warranty: Understand what the warranty covers and how long it lasts.

7. Costs of Waterproofing and Foundation Repair

• DIY vs. Professional: Small fixes can be cheap if you do them yourself, but big projects cost more and usually need a pro.

• Financing Options: Look into loans and insurance that might help with costs.

• Long-Term Savings: Investing in repairs now can save money later.

8. Real-Life Examples

• Success Stories: Like a house in Toronto with bad leaks transformed into a dry, stable home after waterproofing.

• What We Can Learn: Proper drainage and regular maintenance are crucial.

9. Questions About Waterproofing and Foundation Repair

• How often should I check my foundation? At least twice a year, especially after seasons change.

• Is foundation repair covered by home insurance? Usually not for gradual damage, but it might for sudden accidents.

• Can I stay in my house during repairs? Most times yes, but big repairs might need you to move out temporarily.

10. More to Learn

• Useful Websites:

  • Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
  • Homeowners Protection Office

• Books:

  • "Foundations and Concrete Work" by Fine Homebuilding.
  • "The Complete Guide to Foundation Repair" by Dave Osborne.

• Professional Groups:

  • Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI)
  • National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC)

By learning about waterproofing and foundation repair, and taking steps to prevent problems, Canadian homeowners can keep their homes safe and sound.