When Exterior Work Makes Sense
Excavating around a foundation is a larger project, so it should be chosen for good reasons. Common ones include weeping tile that has collapsed or clogged with silt, block walls that seep along many joints, and homes where the basement is finished and opening interior walls is not practical.
Exterior work is also worth considering on older homes. Brockville is one of Ontario's oldest communities, settled in 1785, and many homes across the region have foundations and drainage that predate modern membranes.
What the Work Includes
- Locating utilities and planning access around decks, walkways and gardens.
- Excavating along the wall down to the footing.
- Cleaning the wall and repairing cracks or damaged parging.
- Applying a waterproof coating and a dimpled drainage membrane.
- Installing new weeping tile at the footing, surrounded by clear gravel.
- Backfilling and grading the soil so it slopes away from the house.
How the Project Unfolds
- Assessment and planning. We look at the wall from inside and out, check drainage, and discuss access, landscaping and timing.
- Excavation. Soil is removed carefully along the affected sections, with the yard protected where possible.
- Wall preparation. The foundation is cleaned and any defects are repaired.
- Waterproofing. Coatings, membrane and new weeping tile are installed.
- Backfill and grading. The trench is filled and the surface is shaped to shed water away from the house.
Planning Around Seasons and Property
Exterior work depends on ground conditions. Frozen soil and very wet periods make digging harder, so timing is part of the plan. Weeping tile needs somewhere to send water, usually a sump pit inside the house, which is why exterior projects often include sump pump installation.
Some homes need only one wall done, such as the side under a driveway slope. Others need the full perimeter. We explain which sections are causing trouble and why.
Comparing Your Options
Exterior work is not always required. A single leaking crack in a poured wall may be better handled by foundation crack injection, and many seepage problems can be managed from inside with interior basement waterproofing. If you are unsure where your water is coming from, start with wet basement repair.
Finally, remember that dry walls help prevent mould in finished basements, which is one more reason homeowners choose to fix drainage at the source.
Serving Brockville and Nearby Communities
We provide exterior foundation waterproofing in Brockville, Prescott, Gananoque, Athens, Lyn, Mallorytown, Maitland and the 1000 Islands area. See all service areas or browse the gallery for examples of this type of work.