In and around Toronto, basement leaks are most prevalent during those times of the year during which there is plenty of rain, like in Scarborough on July 15th, 2012, and when the winter snows melt in March and April. Most people dread discovering basement leaks because they are afraid that the cost of basement waterproofing will be astronomical.
Traditional Basement Waterproofing
Traditionally, basement waterproofing has involved excavation of foundations in conjunction with a subsequent application of a waterproof coating and a damp proofing membrane. This approach to waterproofing is clearly destructive to both hardscape and landscape and is generally the most expensive basement waterproofing method on the market.
Exterior waterproofing involving excavation is not a viable waterproofing repair method in many applications such as: underground parking garages, mines, subway tunnels and underground utility rooms for hydro services, etc. As a result, an alternative waterstopping method was developed by the industrial sector for such commercial applications: injection waterproofing.
Injection Waterproofing – An Inexpensive and Effective Way to Repair Basement Leaks
To meet industrial needs for stopping underground leaks, two injection techniques were developed; the two techniques have since been adapted for use in residential basement waterproofing applications. Both techniques are well suited to basement waterproofing applications due to their simplicity of application, low cost, and proven durability.
Injection waterproofing is used in waterstopping applications where filling a void in the concrete will eliminate a basement leak. If you are fortunate enough to have a poured concrete foundation you’re in luck because you are an ideal candidate for injection waterproofing, the most economical basement leak repair method available on the market!
The Two Types of Injection Waterproofing
- Epoxy Crack Injection
This type of injection waterproofing involves a low pressure injection of an epoxy resin, completely filling a foundation crack, and when cured, bonds both sides of a crack with a bond strength that exceeds that of the concrete itself! This type of injection involves no noise and there are no unpleasant odours associated with it.
- Polyurethane Injection
This type of injection waterproofing, also referred to as a urethane injection, involves a higher pressure injection, than an epoxy injection, of a non-toxic polyurethane resin that chemically expands within any poured concrete crack or cavity. Some of its most noteworthy attributes are its short cure time and its suitability for use under all environmental conditions; therefore, an active basement leak can be stopped rapidly and completely, usually in under an hour.
The Benefits of Injection Waterproofing
- Costly and damaging excavation is unnecessary;
- The cost to repair a basement leak is typically between $125 and $450;
- Injection repairs can be completed regardless of the season and the weather; and
- The injection of a basement leak takes 3 hours or less.
The Downside to Injection Waterproofing
While there are many positive things to say about injection waterproofing, finding a contractor to inject your foundation walls is not necessarily a slam dunk. If you shop around you will soon realize that not all waterproofing contractors offer injection waterproofing – because of the high level of skill and experience required to perform the work successfully. Be mindful of this fact when hiring a waterproofing contractor. Injection work, while simple in principle, requires substantial skill and determination – not an easy to find trait in today’s workforce.