The basement space is often a great addition to the living area of a home in Montreal, Quebec! Whether it’s a family room, extra bedroom, home office, or crucially a storage area, it can all be ruined if you have a wet basement. The cold climate, landscape, and geology make homes face many conditions that can cause wet basements.
At Tross Construction Inc., we recognize the unique stressors that Montreal’s weather presents to the foundations of homes. From frost heaves and the freezing a thawing nature of the winters, to the rapid snowmelt during spring and the torrential downpours of summer and fall, there’s always pressure on your basement. A wet basement is never a good thing. There are potential structural issues with your home and health concerns from mold and damp air, and properties will not hold value to a buyer if it has the potential to be a wet basement; they could often be dealing with future extensive repairs!
In this guide, we will look at the reasons why basements get wet in Montreal, how to identify the signs, the risks you take by ignoring this, and great basement wall waterproofing solutions to protect your biggest asset, your home.
Understanding Why Basements Become Wet in Montreal
In order to properly address the issue of water leaks, it is important to be aware of the factors that cause water infiltration. In the City of Montréal, a variety of factors work in combination to make your basement more prone to damage:
Climate Components: Freeze-Thaw Cycle as well as Precipitation
- Freeze-thaw cycles: Water in the soil around your foundation freezes and expands and then melts and contracts. This expansion and contraction can apply enormous amounts of pressure (hydrostatic pressure) on your basement walls, which can crack.
- Heavy snowmelt: During the spring, when the winter’s snow pack melts, the ground becomes saturated with water. With the water comes increased hydrostatic pressure against the basement walls, requiring that water find any crack or other defect to infiltrate.
- Heavy rains: While other North American climates experience heavy downpours of rain, the City of Montréal experiences large totals of precipitation primarily during the bare ground periods of spring and autumn. Heavy rainfall in a short period of time can result in large volumes of water accumulating around the foundation if the drainage system outside the foundation (gutters, downspouts and French drains) is insufficient or blocked.
Geological Considerations: Soil Type and Water Table
- Clay Soils: Much of Montréal is located on clay-rich soils that will expand when wet and contract when dry, causing excessive pressure on the foundation walls of buildings. Clay also has poor drainage performance.
- High Water Tables: In some of the low-lying or riverbank areas, there may be a natural water table just under the surface of the ground, which continues to put hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls.
Structural Issues: Cracks and Drainage
- Foundation Cracks: The causes of foundation cracks can be due to initial settlement, seismic activity, or freeze-thaw cycles. Even the smallest hairline cracks can permit significant water seepage into the building.
- Poor or Outdated Drainage Systems: The drainage system of some older homes might be French drains (called weeping tiles), which might not meet current standards for drainage, or may no longer be in effective operating condition or proper flow. Grading can allow surface water to go toward the home’s foundation.
- Clogged Gutters Downspouts: When gutters overflow due to debris or poor maintenance, the water immediately pooling at the home or building’s foundation area.
Identifying the Signs of a Wet Basement
It would help if you caught these signs early. Be on the lookout for the following indicators that your basement may be wet:
- Musty Smells: A continuously damp or earthy odor indicates mould or mildew!
- Efflorescence: Notice white, powdery mineral deposits applying to the concrete or masonry walls?
- Mould or Mildew Growth: Looking for fuzzy black, green, or white patches?
- Peeling Paint or Wallpaper: When the paint bubbles and peels, or wallpaper curls, moisture is the culprit.
- Water Stains: Water damage. Check the color on your walls, floors, or ceilings.
- Rust on Metal Items or Components: Tools, shelving, or components of your furnace are rusting.
- Humidity Levels: The air feels damp or clammy.
- Puddles or Standing Water: The most apparent sign.
Understanding the Risks of a Wet Basement
A damp basement can lead to various serious problems:
- Health Risks: Mould and mildew can lead to allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues.
- Structural Risks: Water can damage your home’s foundation leading to rot, corrosion and collapse.
- Property Damage: Belongings can be damaged by water and mould.
- Lowered Property Value: A wet basement is a big turnoff to homebuyers.
- Pest Problems: Moist environments breed insects and rodents.
- Higher Utility Bills: HVAC systems must work harder in humid environments.
Investigating Conventional Basement Wall Waterproofing Options
There is no one correct solution. The appropriate solution depends on the reason for the water entry.
1. Outside Waterproofing: The Gold Standard
This stops water from ever getting to the foundation walls.
- Excavation: Trenching around the foundation.
- Repair and cleaning of the foundation: All cracks repaired.
- Waterproof membrane: Applying a waterproof membrane to the outside of foundation walls.
- French drain repair/install: Installing perforated drainage pipe to direct water away from the foundation.
- Drainage Board/Dimple Board: Creating an air gap between the soil and membrane.
- Backfilling: Backfilling the trench completed, ensuring proper grading.
2. Interior Waterproofing: Controlling Leakage
These solutions control water after it has entered the basement.
- Sump Pump Installations: A device that collects and pumps out excess groundwater.
- Interior Drainage Systems: Constructing a drainage channel to collect water from the walls and floor.
- Crack Injections: Sealing smaller cracks with either epoxy or polyurethane resins.
- Waterproof Coatings/Vapor Barriers: Controlling condensation and surface moisture.
3. External Factors: Additional solutions
These measures help to reinforce the primary solutions for basement wall waterproofing.
- Proper grading and landscaping: Proper grading will shape the ground to slope away from the foundation.
- Gutter extensions and downspouts: Direct roof water away from the foundation!
- Window well covers: These will stop basement window wells from filling with water.
- Selecting a Professional in Montreal
Make sure to select a contractor that has:
- Speciality: They should have experience with a history of basement wall waterproofing, foundation repair, etc.
- Local knowledge: Knowledge of Montréal conditions and what it will take to comply with local codes and building regulations.
- Licensing and insurance: Appropriate licensing and insurance to demonstrate professionalism.
- Thorough assessment: Comprehensive inspection and assessment to identify the problem.
Communicate transparently and provide a warranty: Should be able to explain thoroughly and must provide a warranty.
Investing in a Dry Basement for a Healthy Home
Defensive basement wall waterproofing is an investment against these dangers, safeguarding your home’s value and your family’s safe and healthy living. Call Tross Construction Inc. today, and make the first move toward a dry, usable basement in your home in Montreal.