One of the most popular inquiries we get from Kitchener residents is, “Is it preferable to repair basement leaks from the inside or the outside?” One of the reasons people ask is because the internet’s advice frequently disagrees with the advice of professional basement waterproofing contractors.
With most topics, you’ll find answers on both ends that sound authoritative and may even be backed up by “studies.” However, knowing the facts is important, and often only a few sources are available to answer queries like these. This post was created to provide a reliable solution for keeping your home in good condition and offering some protection from further damage.
Basement Leaks
Basement leaks can occur from a variety of sources. Water can leak into the basement due to indoor humidity, while outside sources can saturate the soil around the foundation. Plastic pipes or foundation cracks can also cause leaks.
If you discover that water is dripping through the walls, you can patch the gaps with hydraulic cement. This strategy, however, is just temporary. Hydraulic cement can only fill minor holes or cracks. As a result, it is not suitable for huge amounts of water and does not provide a permanent solution.
Most basement leak repairs, whether performed on brick, cement block, or concrete foundations, can be done from the inside or outside of your house. If your foundation is poured concrete, both interior and exterior waterproofing repairs can help prevent a wet basement. Exterior leak repair may be more useful and less expensive in the following circumstances:
The expense and time required to remove and replace interior walls and furniture such as wood paneling, built-in bookcases, or a brick fireplace are extremely expensive.- Excavation work is always required to repair a bowed wall, install or repair exterior drainage systems, or rectify the composition, voids, or grading of the soil surrounding the foundation.
Interior waterproofing, on the other hand, is more effective and efficient than external excavation, wall repair, and replacement of soil, utility lines, drainage systems, decks, and landscaping in the vast majority of cases.
Why Interior Repair is Usually a Better Approach
Wet basements can be caused by a variety of issues. In our experience, the best way to deal with a leaky basement is from the inside.
It requires less time
The removal and replacement of soil, exterior drainage systems, decks, fences, landscaping, and utility lines outside the foundation walls takes a significant amount of time and effort. There is also an increased danger of damaging tiles, utility lines, and root systems, which will require additional time to fix.
It is less costly
While injecting into an internal fracture may cost hundreds of dollars, removing and replacing soil and landscaping may cost thousands. Furthermore, there is less chance of incurring additional fees for repairing and replacing damaged tiles, utilities, fences, decks, and landscaping.
It can be done during any weather
Exterior maintenance can be done in any weather except when the ground is frozen or damp. Also, it requires an entire crew to be scheduled during dry weather. Work on other projects may cause them to be unable to work on yours. An interior crack injection can be done in any weather and only takes one person.
It identifies the source of the leak
If the problem isn’t visible on the inside walls, you can’t be certain of the source of the water. From the outside, any number of rod holes could be leaking. The only way to determine the precise location of the leak is to examine the entire inner wall from the inside.
It fills voids in the wall
Injecting a polymer into fractures in foundation walls fills voids all the way through the wall, whereas exterior restoration merely repairs the outside.
It is more durable than concrete patches
Concrete fixes will eventually crack and leak due to the same soil conditions that produced the foundation leak in the first place. Polymers are waterproof and expand and shrink with temperature changes.
It is less hazardous
When crews dig a hole on the outside of a foundation wall, there is always the chance that the soil would cave in or that another form of accident will occur on the excavation site.
Leave it to the Professionals
Overall, it’s best to hire professional waterproofing contractors to fix your basement leaks. With their knowledge and experience, they can perform the best waterproofing solution for your home. Whether that is interior or exterior basement leak repair, they will make sure it is best fitted for your property.
