Leaky Concrete Block Walls in SK Basements

If you have concrete block walls in your basement that are damp, leaking, or wet, there is an easy way to return the space to dry, usable conditions. The process is fast, effective, and cost-efficient, and once installed in your home, leads to lower energy bills and a basement that's warranted to be dry.

For an estimate on waterproofing your concrete block wall basement, call or e-mail us today! And if you're on a budget, be sure to ask us about our financing options!

We serve all of Saskatchewan, including Estevan, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton.

Damp and Leaking Block Foundation Walls

Block foundation walls in Saskatchewan have large open cavities inside the basement walls. These walls are made out of concrete, a porous material that easily allows water vapor to soak through and enter the basement. If you've ever had damp basement walls or have watched concrete dry, you know what we're talking about.

Additionally, concrete shrinks as it cures, and the concrete curing process can continue for six months to (in extreme cases) ten years after the home's been built. This means that it's common to have several small cracks form in the walls in even a new home, and those cracks are openings for water to make its way through.

As water passes through the concrete, it can reach the large hollow gaps in the walls. These cavities can fill with water, soaking the concrete and seeping through to the home. At Basement Systems Saskatchewan, we've seen this problem throughout the region, including areas like Estevan, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton. For your estimate on a basement waterproofing, call or contact us online today!

Repairing Wet Concrete Block Walls

Repairing wet concrete block walls is part of what the basement contractors at Basement Systems Saskatchewan do every day. The process can usually be completed in a couple days, and involves a sump pump, perimeter drainage system, a vapor barrier, and weeping holes drilled in the block walls. We recommend working with an expert basement contractor, as having a basement leak can be very damaging to personal items stored inside.

Steps to Waterproofing Concrete Block Walls:

1. Install a Basement Sump Pump and Battery Backup

Install a sump pump with a reliable liner in your basement. The sump pump liner should be large enough to allow enough water into the basin that the pump can run a full cycle without turning on and off constantly (called "short-cycling"), which burns out the pump prematurely.

A battery backup sump pump should also be included to ensure that your sump pump can run during power outages or a blown fuse. A battery backup sump pump can also offer you protection if your primary sump pump fails for any reason. Click to learn more about sump pumps in Saskatchewan.

2. Drill Weep Holes in the Block Wall

A trench should be created around the basement floor, leading to the sump pump. Weeping holes should be drilled in the basement walls into each block cavity at the base. This gives the water an appropriate channel out of the walls, sending it to the sump pump.

3. Install a Perimeter Drainage System

This important step is sometimes passed over by basement contractors. A plastic drain, such as the innovative weeping tile alternative provided by Basement Systems Saskatchewan, can effectively direct water to the sump pump while resisting clogging. A wall flange is included in the drain's design that reaches up the basement wall to gather leaks coming from the wall. Laid in a bed of clean crushed stone, the drain is cemented over on top, making for a nearly invisible installation in your home that's warranted to stop water for the life of the structure (see warranty for details).

4. Cover the Block Walls with a Wall Wrap or Moisture Wrap

Once the water seepage has been contained from the cold joints, you can rest assured that you no longer have a wet basement. However, because water vapor will still be absorbed by the concrete and pass into your home, you do have a damp basement!

You may also still need to address the possibility of water squirting through wall cracks. A moisture barrier wall wrap, combined with our WaterGuard, eliminates damp air transferring through block walls as well as mortar joint leaks.

One effective and cost-efficient way to prevent wet concrete walls from leading to a damp space is to install a waterproof vapor barrier on the walls. These vapor barriers can be combined with our WaterGuard, tucking into the wall flange to direct any water entering from the basement walls into the perimeter basement drainage system.

Saskatchewan Contractors Specializing in Block Basement Walls

If you live in Estevan, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn, and Yorkton and would like a no-obligation concrete block basement wall waterproofing estimate, call or contact us today! Basement Systems Saskatchewan specializes in concrete block basement walls-- we have the experience, equipment, and best practices you need to keep your basement dry all the time!