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GJ MacRae Foundation Repair

The Original Wetbasements Experts – Since 1975
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THE GTA'S HIGHEST RATED

Waterproofing Basement Walls from the Outside: Exterior Basement Waterproofing

Are you looking for effective exterior waterproofing solutions? GJ MacRae has you covered. Shield your home from water intrusion with our reliable repair services.

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Exterior Basement Waterproofing Services in Toronto

Basements are frequently overlooked because they are among the least utilized areas of a house. However, the truth is that basements require just as much attention, if not more, as other parts of the house. Serving as the literal foundation and structure of your home, a well-maintained basement can work wonders. Unfortunately, many people fail to consider their basements and often leave them neglected. As a result, when basements begin to leak, mould can develop, leading to significant damage to the foundation. Moreover, years of neglect can result in cracks in basement walls, causing water seepage problems and substantial harm to 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 specializing in basement waterproofing services. We provide exterior basement waterproofing services in Toronto and surrounding areas and ensure your basement is dry and free of leaks.

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The Exterior Basement Wall Leakage Problem

So, where does the problem start? Many older homes need a proper waterproofing system installed around their basements, starting with adequate drainage maintenance. All the rain and groundwater around our house begin to get 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. Mould and mildew grow, and the basement smells musty and damp. This mould practically makes the basement unusable. In the worst-case scenario, your foundation walls start to get even more cracks due to hydrostatic pressure, which 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 because we have reliable solutions to your basement issues. We use the latest basement waterproofing techniques to dry your basement walls. Plus, 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 significant benefits of waterproofing basement walls from the outside or exterior.

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No More Basement Flooding

One of the most significant 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 attacked because it is challenging 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 stays dry. Also, many people lose valuable items to basement flooding, which is not a problem with a dry basement.

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Say Bye to Mould and Mildew

Mould and mildew thrive in damp basements. It looks awful and is a severe health concern; a wet basement invites this bacteria growth. But with exterior basement waterproofing, your walls are dry, and it is very difficult for mould or mildew to grow in such situations. Also, you eliminate that unpleasant, musty smell caused by a damp basement.

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More Space

There isn’t much one can do in a wet basement. You can’t store anything or renovate. So, it’s practically inhabitable and nearly useless if wet. But a dry basement has many options! You can use it as a store room, game room, or even to set up a bedroom or apartment. Suddenly, extra space is available in your house just because you decided to waterproof your basement.

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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 doesn't help either. Years of this can destroy your foundation walls and may cause serious problems. But a dry and waterproofed basement eliminates the risk of leaks in your basement walls. Therefore, dry basement walls suggest that your basement foundation and structure are strong and that the structural integrity of your basement is maintained.

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Higher Property Value

As a property buyer, you will always look for a house with extra space and a dry basement. Therefore, investing in waterproofing your basement has a much larger return on investment and can secure you good value when selling your house.

Our Exterior Basement Waterproofing Process

01

The first step in the exterior basement waterproofing process is to excavate around the entire perimeter of your house. Additionally, we can use hand excavation to ensure minimal damage to the foundation.

02

Next, we cleaned the entire basement walls with a wire brush and prepared them 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.

03

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. Sometimes, we apply another layer of a rubberized membrane for extra protection.

04

After the patch is set, we install a drainage system in the form of weeping tile. This step is crucial as it redirects excess water and hydrostatic pressure away from the foundation walls. We then cover the drainage system with clear gravel for long-lasting results.

05

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.

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Why Choose GJ MacRae?

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KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE LONG TERM

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A Word from Our Customers

Robert Sraka
Robert Sraka
2024-03-19
From our initial discussion with Dean through to the completion of the project I was most impressed with knowledge and professionalism. We had foundation damage from a tree root and they took the time to explain what was required and the steps involved in rectifying the situation. I highly recommend GJ MacRae for any foundation work you may need.
Wendy M
Wendy M
2024-03-13
The extremely labour-intensive work done on our heritage home basement by the staff at GJ MacRae was nothing but impressive! They handled it all with great care, attention and finesse every step of the way. Thank you!
Lisa Nicholson
Lisa Nicholson
2024-03-09
Our experience with Gavin went very well. We are very pleased with the quality of work that was done. They did an excellent job repairing the leaks and the cleanup was great too. Gavin was a pleasure to deal with. He was very professional and pleasant. We highly recommend this company.
Stephanie Williams
Stephanie Williams
2024-02-29
Honest, courteous, thorough, professional, reliable, on-time, clean and trustworthy. Solved our home’s basement water concerns caused from living on the flood plain (water table). Would definitely recommend GJMacRae Ltd as the company to fix your wet basement. Dean and his crew’s attention to detail solved the various challenges of our 91 year old home.
Maria Aleman
Maria Aleman
2024-02-05
Dean, came out right away after we noticed water in our basement and provided an estimate. Communication with him was easy and he answered all my questions. Work was done within the week. I had a great experience and will recommend to others.
Jakob Backstrom
Jakob Backstrom
2023-11-17
Gavin and his team did a great job. Right from quoting the job I had confidence they can do the job well and had the experience. Great videos on their website really help you understand what’s involved in foundation repair.
Bob
Bob
2023-11-15
Job was done in 2 days which I was amazed it could be done that quickly! That’s a lot of pails of concrete and rock that had to be shuttled in and out of the house! The guys were all very friendly and let me know everything that was being done and answered all my questions! The bowed wall looks solidly supported now with carbon fibre strapping and the water found beneath the floor is now being safely routed through newly installed Plastic Weeper to our sump. We now have peace of mind that we can finish the basement with no leaks or crumbling walls! Thankyou Gavin, Maggi, Ricardo and Jay!
Debra Gold
Debra Gold
2023-10-16
We would like to express our gratitude to G.J. McRae for the exceptional job they did in restoring our peace of mind. Every time it rained or snowed, our basement would leak, causing us great distress. However, the crew from G.J. McRae arrived promptly, worked diligently, and efficiently resolved the issue. They even left our backyard in excellent condition, cleaning up after themselves. We cannot thank you enough for the outstanding service and for making us feel confident that the problem is now completely resolved. We are so happy to be able to not worry about this any longer.
Tricia LaDouceur
Tricia LaDouceur
2023-10-16
Workers were on time and professional. Quality and value for money. My only issue was the concrete poured was a little uneven causing a small lip near the drain. We managed to smooth it out. Would highly recommend GJ MacRae Foundation Repair.
John Prostran
John Prostran
2023-10-10
Very happy with the work done by the GJ Macrae team. Recommend them to anyone for the quality of their work and the amazing warranty, that provides a piece of mind, that they have.
YOUR FREE GUIDE TO BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

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We genuinely want each step of your journey (from the very first Google search to a leak-free basement) to be positive!

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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 who has a leaky basement, give us a call. Schedule an appointment, and our team will arrive to inspect your situation and provide you with a solution. We also service Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, Georgetown, and Toronto. We provide basement waterproofing services all year round. If you notice any signs of seepage or water leaking, call (905) 824-2557. Or, you can fill out the form below, and we will contact you as soon as possible.

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Our Service Areas

At GJ MacRae, we take pride in extending our services across the GTA to meet our valued customers’ unique needs, and our dedicated team is committed to delivering top-notch solutions all year long. Our expansive service areas are a testament to our unwavering commitment to the highest quality foundation repair services and customer satisfaction in the GTA.

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Fill out our request form and we will contact you as soon as possible for a free foundation repair consultation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterproofing the basement from the outside ensures that water cannot enter the basement walls and cannot damage the concrete foundation. Waterproofing basement walls from the outside ensures that your concrete walls are dry and mould-free.

Most leakage problems arise from the outside, but waterproofing your basement from both outside and inside keeps your basement secure permanently from rain and water seepage.

A drainage system like weeping tile ensures that the excess rainwater inside the soil is adequately collected and redirected away from the foundation walls. A rubberized membrane blocks water from entering your foundation wall but doesn’t offer much when moving water away; hence, weeping tile drainage comes into play.

You do not need to move out of the home during a basement waterproofing repair process. The complete project is carried out outside your home, and you can live peacefully inside while the work is done outside. No heavy machinery is involved as we like to use hand excavating to dig up your foundation wall from the outside.

Expert Waterproofing Services for Your Home

GJ MacRae Foundation Repair has been the industry leader for reliable basement waterproofing in the Greater Toronto Area Since 1975. Nearly five decades of experience inform our proven multi-stage repair process based on below-grade drainage considerations that allow us to waterproof concrete blocks, poured walls, and stone rubble foundation walls properly for the long term. Our repair solutions for leaking foundation cracks include using bitumen-based barrier membranes and high-efficiency weeping tile systems, which give us the edge in reliability and allow for the most robust foundation repair warranty available today in the GTA. Experience the GJ MacRae difference for year-round basement leak repairs in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, and Georgetown. If you spot cracked foundation walls, leaky foundations, or any other basement waterproofing issues in your house, reach out and call us today at (905) 824-2557.

Quality Foundation Repair Done Right.