Basement Flooding Solutions in Toronto, Markham & Nearby Ontario

What causes basement flooding & how to prevent it

A basement flood can cause extensive damage to finishing materials and stored items. Today's small leak can lead to serious flooding in the future — don't wait to fix your wet basement!

Over time, the forces of nature bear down on your foundation, causing leaks that can turn into floods. But you can quickly and effectively solve basement flooding if you know what you're up against. Since basements flood in many ways, there is a variety of solutions to address them. Before investing in anything, it is better to learn which options work best to maintain a dry, usable space.

If you want to rest assured that your space is dry and functional all the time, trust professional basement waterproofing! At Clarke Basement Systems, we specialize in addressing the problems unique to the basement. Plus, installations include a written, transferable warranty, giving you peace of mind.

Addressing basement flooding in Ontario

You don't have to face your basement flooding problem alone! Our team of professional waterproofers will provide customized, warrantied solutions. Schedule a free basement waterproofing estimate to learn more. We serve Ontario areas throughout Mississauga, Markham, Toronto, and nearby.

Before and After

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Water Seepage in Basement in Etobicoke, ON

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Clay Bowl Effect in Keswick, ON

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Waterproofing After Basement Leaks in Zephyr, ON

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Unhealthy Basement Solution in Lindsay, ON

Customer Reviews

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Everything was in working order.

By John

Aurora, ON

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No water in the basement even with this quick thaw.

By Michael A.

Orillia, ON

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By JL B.

Fenelon Falls, ON

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I had annual maintenance done on the sump pump

By Anna S.

Toronto, ON

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Common basement flooding problems

Basements can flood from almost any point, including the walls, floor, pipes, windows, and hatchway entrances. The solution to a flooded basement depends entirely on what's causing the flood in the first place. Here is an easy guide to understanding what to do when your basement floods, why it's flooding, and how to solve your unique basement problems:

• What steps should be taken when dealing with basement flooding?
  

  Discovering a flooded basement can be a very upsetting, especially if it's never flooded that badly in the past.

  What do you do when you discover that your basement is flooded with several feet of water? From time to time, particularly during the heaviest rains, basements can flood with groundwater, damaging or destroying personal items (and sometimes home utilities). At first glance, a flooded basement may seem like a problem that a homeowners will have to live with. But this is not true! There are basement waterproofers available that are just a phone call away.

  When your basement floods, we at Clarke Basement Systems recommend taking these six steps:

  1. Shut off failed plumbing: Plumbing failures can release hundreds of gallons of water every hour. In fact, we've seen water rise so high in a basement that it's coming out of the windows! In this case, the first step should be turning off any failed plumbing. Be careful to stay high and dry as you do this to avoid electrified or contaminated water.
  2. Contact a disaster restoration expert: Disaster restoration experts are pros at drying homes, pumping water out, and controlling mold and rot. Make sure to contact them quickly to beat the crowds. They generally provide 24-hour emergency service, so don't hesitate to call them as soon as you find a problem. Depending on your area, the local fire company may also be available to pump your basement out.
  3. Give us a call: Here's where we come in! We have exclusive access to award-winning, warrantied products for basement waterproofing -- and we can customize a great system for you. You can count on our trained staff to go above and beyond to help you solve your problem as soon as possible.
  4. Rescue personal property: Be careful for electrically charged water containing toxic substances. Many disaster restoration companies can restore your property and lost computer data, including photos, electronics, and more. Since the basement could be humid during drying, you should move out personal items. You also may also want to get a photographic record of the damage from your insurance company.
  5. Notify your insurance company: covers flooding. Your agent will discuss your claim options and what to do when you meet with your contractors. Some companies will offer protection from flooding. Additionally, some companies offer coverage for failing plumbing but not groundwater flooding.
  6. Waterproofing research Research each contractor you work with online and check out their rating on the Better Business Bureau. You may request the contractor to provide references and testimonials. You can also ask whether their workers are fully insured. Also, find out what kinds of solutions they offer and how they may measure up against the alternatives on the market.
• Why is my basement flooding?
  

  When water collects around the foundation, this is known as the "clay bowl effect."

  Flooding in basements and crawl spaces is common in new and old homes -- and rarely a one-time occurrence. Once water has flooded through your foundation, you can be sure it will happen again.Two factors contribute to basement leaking: the clay bowl effect and hydrostatic pressure.

  • The clay bowl effect: When building a house, contractors dig a hole a little larger than the space your home will need to make room for the foundation. After building the foundation, the excavated soil fills the gap around the outer edge. The "backfill" soil will be loose from excavation, which makes it more absorbent. The wet soil forms a "clay bowl" around the house, creating an artificial water table around the home. That means water collects the most around the foundation.
  • Hydrostatic pressure & wet soil: Water is heavy! As the soil around your home becomes soaked with moisture, the soil expands, and the weight of the water presses on your foundation, known as hydrostatic pressure. As hydrostatic pressure builds against your foundation, water enters the home in any way possible, including concrete cracks in the walls or floors, openings around pipes, basement windows, or even directly through the porous concrete. If you have block walls, water may pass through the block and begin to fill the open cavities. However, the most common way water enters a home is through the foundation wall-floor joint.

  How do you dry a wet basement? By stopping water at the point where it enters the structure. Since most basements flood from the wall-floor joint, one of the most common ways is to install a weeping tile system along the edge of the basement floor to collect the water and direct it to a sump pump so it will discharge it out of your home. But we at Clarke Basement Systems have approaches to fixing water problems of all types. Our solutions cover all surfaces, including the foundation walls, basement floors, and wet crawl spaces.

• Basement flooding from plumbing
  

  When your home experiences a plumbing failure, it can damage carpet, drywall, appliances, and stored personal possessions. A plumbing failure is more likely to be covered by an insurance company than groundwater.

  The most common claim that insurance companies pay out on is water-damaged homes. While groundwater flooding is a major part of this, plumbing failure is also significant. This damage can be extensive in walls, floors, and everything stored within the flooded area. The mold that follows a flood can create allergens that can lead to serious long-term health effects.

  How to prevent flooding from plumbing failures

  Unfortunately, you cannot stop all pipes, toilets, sinks, tubs, faucets, and other pieces of home plumbing from ever experiencing a leak. However, some simple, common-sense steps can prevent some of the most common plumbing failures. We recommend two simple solutions for the most avoidable basement flooding causes. These simple additions are easy ways to ensure you have the best plumbing failure protection available.

  1. Sump pump alarms: Sump pump systems can flood for many reasons, including clogged drains, frozen discharge lines, and pump burnout. To help alert you on potential floods, each of our systems has a built-in WaterWatch® Sump Pump Alarm included in its installation, which will sound off when a flood occurs. Our newest systems also include the option of being tied into many home alarm systems for ultra protection, so you receive a phone call when the alarm sounds off.
  2. Sump pump drain: Our sump pumps also include a floor drain with a unique ball-and-cup design. When water from the floor enters the drain, the ball floats, and the water flows through. When the water is gone, the ball returns to the bottom of the drain, sealing the opening from humidity and odors that would otherwise rise from the sump pump pit.
• Basement flooding from stairways
  

  Leaking hatchway doors are usually the culprit for flooded stairways. They are a nuisance for homeowners who'd like their basement to be dry, especially in a finished space.

  Understanding the design of hatchway doors can help you see how they leak. Hatchway entrances are typically constructed separately from the foundation walls. This entryway is a concrete shell bolted to the foundation walls. Often, stairs will come already built into the pre-cast entryway. After someone installs the hatchway, they will fix metal doors on top. If necessary, someone will build stairs inside to finish the construction. These hatchways are usually not sealed to the foundation walls.

  Where basements leak

  Hatchway entrances leak from three critical points:

  1. Underneath metal hatchway doors
     Metal hatchway doors are not flush with the concrete frame. As rain builds up on the doors, it will slide down the doors and pool on the concrete around the edges of the doors. From this point, the water has two paths: it can continue to flow down to the ground. Or it slips underneath the metal hatchway door and onto the stairs inside the hatchway.
  2. Where the hatchway & foundation meet
     The concrete shell of the hatchway is mounted to the foundation walls via bolts, which are drilled through the concrete of the foundation. Since it's rare for this joining point to be sealed, it is a major weak point where water can flood your basement. As groundwater builds up around the foundation during rain, it presses in on this weak spot and allows significant flooding.
  3. Through cracked concrete
     Concrete hatchway entrances will form cracks over time. Water will flood through these cracks, move to the stairs, and flood your basement. Some old-fashioned hatchway doors were built with loose panels of wood instead of metal, with little or no attempt to keep water out. Water easily floods through the gaps in these doors. Once water builds up in a hatchway entrance, the puddles will expand into the basement.

  How we stop flooding through hatchway doors

  The TrenchDrain™ Hatchway Door System is designed with a half-round pipe section and grated top fitting. When installed, it's flush with the rest of your concrete floor for a clean, professional job. It spans the staircase, collecting water that spills down and directs it to your drain and sump pump system. This system can span the entrance of the hatchway or can be extended inside the hatchway itself.

  Plus, TrenchDrain is fully compatible with radon mitigation systems. A simple ball-and-cup mechanism seals the drain when not in use. We also sometimes recommend this system for use along garage doorways, as well as for other entrances where water may intrude into your home.

• Flooding through floor & wall cracks
  

  

  When water starts to leak through your basement walls or floors, it can quickly lead to a very serious flood in your home. We provide a variety of repair products and techniques, each designed specifically to take on a different source of leaks in their foundation walls and basement's concrete floors.

  • Wall cracks: Small wall cracks are common in foundations throughout Ontario, as it is a natural side effect of the concrete's curing process. These cracks usually do not cause more damage to the foundation. But, even the smallest of cracks will be a problem if they leak groundwater into the space.
    For wall cracks, we recommend the FlexiSpan® Foundation Crack Repair System. It's a patented, warrantied repair and a permanent solution.
  • Floor cracks: One of the more confusing issues homeowners face with their wet basements is preventing water from rising through their basement floor. Fortunately, basement floor cracks can be easily and effectively repaired as part of a proper perimeter drainage system. We usually suggest installing a lateral line drainage system to collect water from the crack and redirect it to your sump pump system.
• Leaky basement windows
  

  Replace your windows and install new covered window wells for a drier, happier home.

  Basement windows feature inexpensive steel or wood frames. As these materials age, they will break down, showing signs of rust, corrosion, and decay. As the frames break down, the window panes hang more loosely, and the frame begins to hang loosely in its opening in your basement wall. Along with the window leaking, they will also become drafty. As your home loses conditioned air, your energy costs will rise.

  Fortunately, basement window leaks can be fixed quickly, easily, and permanently by draining any leaking water into your perimeter drainage system. We fix leaking basement windows with the WellDuct® Basement Window System to redirect flooding to a perimeter drain or dry well.

Waterproofing a foundation in Ontario

How do you dry a wet basement? By stopping water at the point where it enters the structure. Since most basements flood from the wall-floor joint, one of the most common ways is to install a weeping tile system along the edge of the basement floor to collect the water and direct it to a sump pump, which would then discharge it out of your home.

However, at Clarke Basement Systems, we have an approach to solving water problems of all types. Our solutions cover all basement surfaces, including the foundation walls, floors, and even wet crawl spaces.We offer free basement waterproofing estimates in Ontario, including Brampton, Vaughan, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Barrie, Peterborough, Newmarket, Mississauga, Markham, Toronto, and nearby!