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!
Waterproofing Basement Walls from the Outside: Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Our Awards
Exterior Basement Waterproofing Services
by GJ MacRae
“Quality is doing things right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
Exterior Basement Waterproofing Services in Toronto
Most people seem to often neglect their basement because it is one of the least used areas in their house. But the reality is, the basement needs just as much care as the other parts of the house if not more. The basement is the literal foundation and structure of your house and it works wonders if taken care of. But a lot of people tend to not think about their basement and they can often be left unmaintained. Then when basements start to leak they can grow mold, and this can completely destroy the foundation. Additionally, years of negligence tend to create cracks in basement walls that cause water seepage problems and badly damage the foundation structure.
GJ MacRae is a basement waterproofing company in Toronto and we have been providing basement waterproofing services for almost 50 years. We are a complete basement waterproofing and structural foundation repair company that specialises in basement waterproofing services. We provide exterior basement waterproofing services in Toronto and surrounding areas and we make sure your basement is free of leaks and dry.
Also learn, Interior Basement Waterproofing
The Exterior Basement Wall Leakage Problem
So, where does the problem start? Many older homes do not have a proper waterproofing system installed in their basements and it all starts with proper drainage maintenance. All the rain and groundwater around our house starts to be sucked inside the ground and slowly reaches the concrete basement walls. The water then starts to get inside the basement through various cracks. This leads to water damage and also starts to deteriorate your foundation walls. Mold and Mildew start to grow and the entire basement starts to smell musty and damp. This practically makes the basement unusable. Worst case scenario, your foundation walls start to get even more cracks due to hydrostatic pressure and that can jeopardize the entire structural integrity of the basement and your foundation. And trust us, you do not want that!
But you have nothing to worry about if you consult a professional exterior basement waterproofing company in Toronto like GJ MacRae. We have the perfect solution for your basement. We use the latest basement waterproofing techniques to ensure your basement walls are waterproofed and remain dry no matter how much it rains outside. Waterproofing basement walls from the outside means no water can enter your basement and therefore you can avoid all the exterior basement wall leakage problems.
Benefits of Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Now that you know how important it is to waterproof your basement, let’s discuss the major benefits of waterproofing basement walls from the outside or exterior.
No More Basement Flooding
One of the biggest benefits of proper exterior basement waterproofing is that your basement doesn’t flood when it rains outside. Trust us, you do not want your basement to be flooded because it is a difficult task to get that water out of your basement once it’s already there! With proper, high quality basement waterproofing, you do not have to worry about all this because excess water cannot enter your basement and it stays dry. Also, many people lose valuable items to basement flooding which is not a problem with a dry basement.
Say Bye to Mold and Mildew
Mold and Mildew thrive in damp basements. They not only look awful but also are a serious health concern and a wet basement is an invitation to this bacteria growth. But with exterior basement waterproofing, your walls are dry and it is very difficult for mold or mildew to grow in such situations. Also, you get rid of that unpleasant musty smell that is caused by a damp basement.
More Space
There isn’t much one can do in a wet basement. You can’t store anything or live there. So, it’s practically inhabitable and nearly useless if wet. But, a dry basement has a lot of options! You can use it as a store room, game room or even set up a bedroom or apartment for that matter. There is suddenly extra space available in your house just because you decided to waterproof your basement.
Improved Structural Integrity
Continuously being wet and dry can take its toll on your concrete foundation or basement walls and the hydrostatic pressure from the outside doesnt helping either. Years of this destroy your foundation walls and may cause serious problems. But a dry and waterproofed basement means that your basement walls don’t leak anymore and there isn’t a water seepage problem. Therefore, dry basement walls mean that your basement foundation and structure is strong and the structural integrity of your basement is maintained.
Higher Property Value
As a property buyer, you will always look for a house that has some extra space and a dry basement. So, investing in waterproofing your basement has a much larger return on investment and can most definitely secure you good value when selling your house. The new owner is happy, you are happy, it’s all a win-win.
Our Exterior Basement Waterproofing Process
Step 1
The very first step in the Exterior basement waterproofing process is to dig around the entire perimeter of your house. Unlike other basement waterproofing companies, we like to use hand excavation to ensure minimal damage to the foundation.
Step 2
Next, we clean the entire basement walls with a wire brush and prepare it to be coated with primer. We then use hydraulic cement to seal the cracks. A quick-drying primer is applied which provides extra adhesion to the wall.
Step 3
After the cracks are sealed and dried, we apply a rubberized membrane to the entire foundation wall. These rubber membranes are airtight and waterproof meaning air or water cannot pass through them. In some cases, we apply another layer of a hydroshield for extra protection.
Step 4
After the patch is set, we install a drainage system in the form of weeping tile. This step is very important as it is used to redirect excess water and hydrostatic pressure away from the foundation walls. We then cover the drainage system with a layer of clear gravel for long lasting results.
Step 5
After the installation of the drainage system, the backfilling process starts. We like to power-tamp the soil every 6-10 inches. This helps us to really lock the membrane in place and also to restore the original grading. A little cleanup around the repair area and your exterior basement waterproofing is now concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Waterproofing the basement from the outside ensures that water cannot enter the basement walls and cannot impose damage to the foundation. Waterproofing basement walls from the outside ensures that your concrete walls are dry and free of mold.
Most leakage problems arise from the outside and you can never be too sure. Waterproofing your basement from both outside and inside makes them absolutely secure against rain and water damage.
A drainage system like weeping tile ensures that the excess rainwater collected inside the soil is properly collected and redirected away from the foundation walls. The membrane blocks the water from entering but doesn’t offer much with moving water away, hence the weeping tile drainage comes into play.
No, you do not need to move out of the home during a basement waterproofing repair process. The complete project is carried out on the outside of your home and you can live peacefully inside while the work is being carried out outside. No heavy machinery is involved as we like to use hand excavating to dig up your foundation wall from the outside.
Why Choose us?
When you waterproof your basement, you want it to be perfect. With almost 50 years of experience in the industry, we have all the expertise and experience to back up all claims to be one of the finest basement waterproofing companies in Toronto. We practice the latest waterproofing methods that are carried out by our experienced staff and high quality workmanship. We are a second-generation family-run business and give great importance to quality work and customer satisfaction. We have served over 10,000+ customers to date and also provide a transferable warranty. We have been featured in Homestars, HGTV, and Google, and that speaks volumes about our work.
On top of all that, we also provide many other services like interior basement waterproofing, structural foundation repair, French drain installation, weeping tile system installation, sump pump installation, basement underpinning, window wells installation, and complete structural foundation repair services.
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 foundation repair and basement waterproofing services 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.
Need Exterior Basement Waterproofing in Toronto? Give us a Call!
A seasoned homeowner knows the importance of basement waterproofing and we are just the right team to get your basement waterproofed. We have been serving the GTA for over 48 years and can provide the best solution for your basement.
If you are someone that has a leaky basement, give us a call. Schedule an appointment and our team will arrive to inspect your situation and provide you with the solution. We also service Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, and Georgetown along with Toronto. We provide basement waterproofing services all year round. If you notice any signs of seepage or water leaking, give us a call at (905) 824-2557. Or, you can fill out the form below and we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Waterproofing the basement from the outside ensures that water cannot enter the basement walls and cannot impose damage to the foundation. Waterproofing basement walls from the outside ensures that your concrete walls are dry and free of mold.
Most leakage problems arise from the outside and you can never be too sure. Waterproofing your basement from both outside and inside makes them absolutely secure against rain and water damage.
A drainage system like weeping tile ensures that the excess rainwater collected inside the soil is properly collected and redirected away from the foundation walls. The membrane blocks the water from entering but doesn’t offer much with moving water away, hence the weeping tile drainage comes into play.
No, you do not need to move out of the home during a basement waterproofing repair process. The complete project is carried out on the outside of your home and you can live peacefully inside while the work is being carried out outside. No heavy machinery is involved as we like to use hand excavating to dig up your foundation wall from the outside.
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