The moment a foundation issue is detected, narrow down the area in your basement right away. Feel free to move any furniture, couches or carpet that are in the way to allow us to make evaluation process easier. On the exterior of foundation wall, take note of your existing grade, shrubbery, trees, water taps or any variable that may be contributing to the leak. Remember, don't forget to check your eavestroughs!
Our Awards
Basement Waterproofing Services
by GJ MacRae
“Quality is doing things right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
8-Step Basement Waterproofing Process:
Step 1
The very first step is to locate the cracks in the foundation walls. We then set up tarps and begin hand excavation all the way down to the footings. It is essential to go to the bottom to not miss any cracks.
Step 2
We then clean the exposed walls with a wire brush and chisel out the cracks, allowing the quick setting of the hydraulic cement, which is applied into the cracks with a trowel.
Step 3
After the hydraulic cement is set, we apply a layer of quick-drying primer to the exposed walls. The purpose of this primer is to enhance the adhesion for our next step in basement waterproofing.
Step 4
A special Hydroshield is applied to the entire wall using a trowel. This rubberized membrane is impenetrable to water, air or moisture. A layer of fibreglass mesh is also applied to provide flexibility to the membrane while keeping its integrity. Another layer of Hydroshield is applied again over the top, creating a double coat and extra protection.
Step 5
While the patch is still tacky, we install a layer of thick plastic on the surface of the rubberized membrane. Now we install a Platon drainage board on top of our entire waterproofing layers. This acts as an additional layer that prevents water from getting into the foundation walls and as a shield for the membrane against power tamping during backfilling. These boards help against hydrostatic pressure and also help to redirect large volumes of water to the weeping tiles below.
Step 6
The existing weeping tile drainage is replaced. A new weeping tile system is installed and is surrounded by a filter sock that helps to clean fine particles from groundwater and eases the drainage process.
Step 7
Now we start the backfilling process. We first like to fill the top and around the weeping tile system with clear gravel to ensure consistent and rapid drainage. After that, the native soil is poured back. We power tamp the soil every 6" -12" inches. This ensures that our membranes and drainage board are locked into place and also restores the original grading.
Step 8
A termination strip is attached to the top of the Platon drainage board to ensure that the strip does not separate from the board. The entire repair area is washed and swept. This is the completion of the process, and now you have a waterproof basement.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Waterproofing a basement is the technique of preventing water from entering a building or home’s basement or crawl space. It is crucial because structural issues, mold development, and health risks can result from water damage.
Heavy rain or snow, poor grading, blocked gutters or downspouts, foundation fractures, and plumbing leaks are some of the typical causes of basement water damage.
Mold development, musty smells, moist walls or flooring, water stains, and mold are all indicators of a wet basement. If you see any of these symptoms, your basement may require waterproofing.
French drain installation, interior waterproofing, and external waterproofing are a few techniques that may be used to waterproof a basement. Exterior waterproofing entails placing a waterproof membrane on the outside of the foundation walls, and interior waterproofing entails building a drainage system and sump pump inside the basement. In order to move water away from the home, French drain installation entails constructing a perforated pipe around the foundation perimeter.
Despite the fact that there are some DIY basement waterproofing kits on the market, it is often advised that you employ a professional to make sure the job is done correctly and to prevent any potential mistakes that might lead to more water damage.
The basement’s size, condition, and waterproofing technique can all affect how long and how much it will cost to waterproof a basement. If you want a more precise estimate, it is advisable to contact with a specialist.
Depending on the contractor, different waterproofing services may come with a warranty or guarantee. When choosing a contractor, it’s crucial to inquire about warranties or guarantees and to check the fine print before signing any contracts.
Yes, by preventing possible water damage and mold development, which may be expensive to fix, basement waterproofing can raise the value of your property.
Troubled with A Leaky and Wet Basement?
Every rainy season, we have to suffer through a leaky basement, which invites many unwanted problems. Years of negligence can lead to numerous cracks and holes in your basement walls, which leak water during the rainy season. The basement was not the most significant selling point in the past, and people treated the basement as just a crawl space for plumbing and a laundry room. The basement walls go through a lot due to changes in weather conditions, constant hydrostatic pressure and rodents and develop cracks over the year. Without considering much focus on waterproofing, these basement walls will likely leak during the rainy season.
One of the significant problems with a leaky basement is that it endures a lot of water damage, and your basement can flood during heavy rain when there’s nothing to stop them. Also, damp basement walls are an invitation for mould and mildew to flourish. Mould and mildew are serious health hazards and create a musty smell in your basement. People lose valuable items during basement flooding, and the basement becomes practically unusable.
If your basement does not have a proper waterproofing system, we highly recommend getting a professional basement waterproofing job from basement waterproofing experts in Toronto like GJ MacRae and securing your basement from all these problems.
Expert Basement Waterproofing Services Toronto
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair is one of the most renowned names when it comes to basement waterproofing in Toronto. We have served the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Toronto, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown, and surrounding areas since 1975. With almost five decades of experience under our belt, we have served over 10,000+ customers to date. These numbers speak for themselves and have been backed by our quality service. We are a completely family-owned, Toronto-based basement waterproofing company, currently running in its second generation, and we take great pride in our work. The quality of our service is second to none, and we can guarantee that.
We also offer a transferable 15-year warranty for all our services. Our highly experienced staff and cutting-edge technology are the recipes for a well-done job. Say goodbye to leaky basements after the GJ MacRae treatment. The finest basement waterproofing company in Toronto is always at your service all year long (Yes, even during winter).
Benefits of a Dry Basement
What does a dry basement mean to you? It means a healthy, dry, livable, mould/mildew free, musty smell free, usable space. On top of that, a dry basement also promotes a crack-free solid foundation. Let’s discuss the benefits of a dry basement:
Get More Livable Space
What purpose can a wet basement serve you? Nothing. But a dry basement opens up a lot of possibilities. Having a dry basement means much more livable space in your home. Your creativity is the limit. You can use the basement as a movie room, a game room, a gym or a bedroom.
Get Rid of That Musty Smell
A wet basement only invites trouble, and mould/mildew is a complimentary gift that comes with a damp basement. A dry basement means that your walls are mould/mildew free. A wet basement has a constantly damp and musty smell, which isn’t JUST a bad smell but also a severe health hazard. But with a dry basement, all that is gone.
Peace of Mind
We have a lot to think about all the time, and a leaky basement should not be a concern in your mind. You should be able to check off a leaky basement from your list of troubles during the rainy season. Get basement waterproofing services from GJ MacRae and enjoy a dry basement. You can take a breath of relief knowing that your basement is dry and won’t damage all your valuables during the rainy season.
Stronger Foundation Support
Waterproofing your basement walls ensures your walls are dry and do not have to endure water damage. Also, the hydrostatic pressure is highly reduced with a waterproofing system installed around your basement walls. Any holes or cracks in your basement walls are fixed during basement waterproofing. This promotes a damage-free and strong foundation wall. A stronger foundation means more robust support for your house.
Higher Selling Price
On top of all these benefits mentioned above, while you stay, you can even enjoy one more benefit while selling your house. A dry, livable basement is a huge selling point in the present, and every buyer will appreciate a strong basement foundation that also serves as an extra livable space. Invest in your basement waterproofing today and enjoy all these benefits while you stay and during the sales.
Why Choose us?
When it comes to basement waterproofing in Toronto, there is one name that stands out on top, GJ MacRae. As a family-owned business with almost five decades of experience, we have established ourselves as a popular household name when it comes to basement waterproofing in Toronto. Our unparalleled quality service, thanks to our skilled staff and cutting-edge technology, has made us what we are today.
We have served over 10,000+ customers since 1975 and have been featured on top sites like Homestars, HGTV and Google Guaranteed. Our services come along with a transferable 15-year warranty. We also provide basement foundation crack repair services, structural foundation repair, french drain installation, weeping tile system installation, sump pump installation, underpinning, window wells installation, and a complete structural foundation repair service. We have been serving the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Toronto, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown, and surrounding areas.
A Word from Our Customers
Excellent service from beginning to end. We would highly recommend this company. Dean assessed the problem (water leaking into our furnace room as a result of a window well that another company had incorrectly installed previously) and provided a thorough estimate detailing every aspect of the project. He then scheduled the job to be done before the big winter storm that had been forecast. The crew arrived exactly on time and completed the job, to the very best professional standard, in less than a day. We are so glad we chose G.J. MacRae. Thank you very much.
Amazing Service! GJ MacRae Foundation repair provided timely and superior quality service. Everything went exactly as planned from our initial consult and quote. Workers were on time, the quote was accurate and the work was high quality. We have a perfectionist contractor and he was incredibly impressed with Gavin and the team and he noted that the work was exceptional Inside and out on the project. The site was was clean and looked perfect when completed. Would highly recommend this service to our friends and family and others looking for this type of work! We can’t say enough good things and are so thankful!
Our second time utilising GJ MacRae Foundation; separate issues. Their professionalism and respect for their clients is highly commendable. Office team, sales and on-site crew all compliment each other.Highly recommend GJ MacRae Foundation company!
My fiancé and I can not say enough amazing things about GJ Mcrae. As first time home owners with water damage in our basement, GJ mcrae took care of everything so quickly and we’re extremely professional, reducing any worries we had. Would recommend this company over and over again. Dean was so easy with work with and continued to support us throughout the process. Thanks so much for the amazing job.
We had GJ Macrae underpin our 1890s house in Leslieville over the summer. The team showed up on time every day, the project moved so smoothly. I wish I had another basement for them to underpin.Highly recommend GJ Macrae for any basement or underpinning work. The final result looks fantastic, we have a beautiful basement, with nice tall ceilings!The whole team was a pleasure to work with! 5 stars!
Industry-leading GJ MacRae Waterproofing Services
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair provides customers with top-notch services in foundation repair in Toronto. There are various Waterproofing Services available such as Basement Waterproofing, Interior/Exterior Weeping Tile Systems, Sump Pumps Installation, Crack repair, etc. Over 48 years of experience and 10,000+ satisfied customers from Toronto, our licensed specialists are completely confident that we can guarantee the best results with the most reasonable price and warranty for each type of project request.
Basement Waterproofing Toronto
We specialize in basement waterproofing services for below grade concrete block, poured concrete, field stone, and rubble stone foundation walls. With over 48 years of service in the GTA and backed by the most reliable warranty in the business, see what the GJ MacRae difference is all about.
Foundation Crack Repair Toronto
Is there a crack in your poured, block, or rubble stone foundation wall, and is this crack allowing water to leak into your basement? Why do interior crack repair methods simply not work? Trust the experts and see why GJ MacRae Foundation Repair carries the most reliable crack repair warranty in the business.
Weeping Tile Systems Toronto
A century-old technology, reborn! Our services also include interior and exterior weeping tile systems coupled with deep insights and experience relating to all things drainage. Ask us about the difference between interior and exterior drainage methods and enjoy the benefit of our expertise!
Sump Pumps Toronto
Sump pumps and sump basins are an integral part of all below grade drainage strategies due to their simplicity, reliability, low cost and proven effectiveness. Ensure your sump pump, basin and battery backup system are well maintained and ready for the next big rain or thaw.
Structural Wall Repairs Toronto
Is the structure of your home moving and is this movement accelerating as the years pass? The sooner the integrity of your foundation is restored, the better. We have a full line of time-tested, certified structural foundation repair solutions tailored to your scope and budget.
Crumbling Foundations Toronto
Are your foundation walls spalling, eroding or fragmenting? Is this damage accelerating through the years? Stopping moisture penetration through your above grade concrete structure is imperative. We offer brush parging, s-type, adhesive, mesh, fiber and thermal-slurry solutions for a lasting barrier.
Basement Underpinning Toronto
GJ MacRae are pioneers of the overflow underpinning method in the Greater Toronto Area. Our underpinning process allows for safe, reliable vertical increases in basement ceiling height that can turn crawl spaces into full living quarters; and all for less than a standard second story addition.
Structural Carbon Fiber Toronto
When your foundation walls begin to show signs of cracking or bowing it is generally an indication of severe exterior lateral pressure from tree roots, hydrostatics or poorly draining soil. Click here to find out more about our full line of carbon fiber foundation reinforcement applications.
Window Wells Toronto
Basement windows are a great source of natural light and can also act as a designated fire escape, but what happens when window wells begin to deteriorate, clog and leak? Our hand excavated exterior window well repair solutions are permanent and allow for unimpeded drainage all year long, guaranteed.
Utilize Your Dry Basement to the Fullest
A dry basement is full of possibilities. Basements are no longer just crawl spaces and can serve a greater purpose. Get creative with your basement and transform that space into your gym, study room, game room or anything you like. But for that, you must have a DRY BASEMENT.
Need a dry basement? GJ MacRae, the finest basement waterproofing company in Toronto, is here to help. Give us a call or fill out the form below and our team will inspect your basement situation and provide the ideal basement waterproofing solution. Feel free to contact us at (905) 824-2557 or fill out the form below.
Schedule A Visit With Us Now!
After you fill out the form below, we will contact you as soon as possible for A FREE ESTIMATE. If you still have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime.
- Phone : (905) 824-2557
- Email: hello@wetbasements.com
- Address: GJ MacRae Foundation Repair 470 Winston Churchill Blvd Oakville, Ontario L6J-7X2