During a home’s construction, various protections are put in place to ensure its foundations are waterproof. However, as time progresses or simply due to mother nature, concrete floors can develop water leaks that have unpleasant long-term consequences.
Discover how leaks appear and find solutions to avoid risks to your foundation.
The sources of water leaks
Many homeowners in Quebec can be affected by the appearance of water leaks. There are many causes for this type of problem and the ease of the solutions can vary according to the nature and severity of the leak.
One of the most common factors that can lead to concrete floor deterioration is moisture in the grounds adjacent to the foundation. Essentially, when water fills the ground due to heavy rainfall or snowmelt, for example, it runs along the outer walls of the foundation. If your foundation lacks insulation, is too porous or has cracks, moisture can then be introduced into the slab and water will appear in the basement.
Another leakage factor comes from the water collected by gutters. If the gutters are too close to a home’s walls, the accumulated water can lead to the deterioration of the concrete wall. By moving the downspouts away, you can guard against potential problems in the medium and long term.
Leaks due to internal problems
External causes aren’t the only ones that can cause moisture to penetrate concrete floors. Indeed, damaged or aging pipes can cause water to drip along basement walls. Moreover, insulation that is too airtight could prevent ambient humidity from escaping. When in contact with concrete walls, condensation will turn into water and run down the walls.
If the walls have internal cracks, water can get in and remain trapped in the concrete, causing mold and degradation.
How to fix a concrete floor leak
Install a French drain
When the land surrounding the foundation is waterlogged, risk of seepage is high, especially if the situation isn’t fixed. To mitigate the problem, using a drainage system near the foundation proves to be a particularly effective solution.
Although it won’t solve 100% of the problem, the use of a French drain offers a solution to route some of the water accumulated against the outer wall to a drainage basin located below.
This system will work properly if it is in good condition and not obstructed by various elements (roots, sediments, etc.) in the embankment used. If this is the case, it will be necessary to clean the drain if a hatch has been provided during installation. In the opposite case, the system will have to be replaced so it can contribute to the soundness of the foundation.
Waterproofing the concrete
When a leak is found in the basement, it often points to a waterproofing issue. Therefore, to prevent water from seeping into the concrete and causing irreversible damage, it will be necessary to determine the source of the problem before working on the foundation.
If the leakage problem is caused by one or more minor cracks, they can be sealed with a membrane applied to the outside of the foundation or by injecting an epoxy resin. The waterproofing work will then precisely target the area to be treated.
In the case where the foundation walls have greater defects or weaknesses, the entire waterproofing will have to be reviewed. As such, careful inspection is recommended to accurately determine the repairs to be carried out.
Experts at the service of your concrete foundation
There are numerous causes of leakage and the risk of foundations deteriorating over time is a common problem.
If you have any doubts about a leakage, it is recommended to turn to specialists who can suggest the best solutions to the problems encountered. Contact Fissure Expert members today and receive the specialist expertise you need.
