Is it better to repair from the outside?

If you fix my leak from the inside your still letting the water get in,
isn't that what I'm trying to eliminate?

Does the water leaking through the wall cause any damage to the foundation?

What reasons influence whether an inside or an outside repair is recommended?

Where does the water go?

How long does a repair take?

Can the basement be finished following inside repairs?

Are the chemicals used for the epoxy injection harmful?

Is there a warranty?

Do you do the work yourself or do you sell the materials?

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Is it better to repair from the outside?
Traditionally this has been the case. The logic being that an outside repair stops the water at its source before it has a chance to get inside the foundation wall. With our two inside repair methods, this logic no longer applies.

Take for example our Epoxy Injection Process. Since the crack is completely filled from front to back and top to bottom, the water is actually kept out of the crack but from the inside.Our other inside repair method which we call an Internal Breakout works on an entirely different methodology. The wall is actually allowed to continue leaking but an alternate route is provided once it reaches the inside. Since in most cases the principal objective of any repair is to keep water off the floor an Internal Breakout is an excellent system.



If you fix my leak from the inside your still letting the water get in,
isn't that what I'm trying to eliminate?
The main objective of any repiar is to protect the contents of your basement. If this can be done without having to excavate, then we have accomplished our goal. Additionally the majority of exterior repairs actually bring the water back into the house anyway - into a sump pit. When you consider the physics of our internal repair method, it is easy to understand how the system works. The entire process is centered on the law of gravity. With the membrane as a barrier and gravity drawing the water into the tile, it is physically impossible for the system to fail.



Does the water leaking through the wall cause any damage to the foundation?
Basically no! What can damage a foundation is trying to stop the water from the inside and in the process creating standing water inside the foundation wall. An Internal Breakout allows it to continue through and the Epoxy Injection stops it prior to entry. Where caution needs to be exercised is in very old poured concrete and stone foundations. By this time the early poured and stone foundations have revealed their quality. They are either very sound or showing deterioration. If either type show severe deterioration then it is advisable to repair and restore the foundation from the outside. Concrete handles water. That's why it is used.



What reasons influence whether an inside or an outside repair is recommended?
As discussed in the previous paragragh the age and condition of a foundation are of primary concern. However, once this has been excluded then cost becomes the next consideration. If there are no obstacles to an inside repair and no obstacles to an outside repair then an inside repair is about half the cost of an outside. Once we add the cost of removing & replacing obstacles such as the driveway, deck, an air conditioning unit, etc., or finished areas, stairs, hot water tanks, etc., we can determine which will be the most economical. At times though the personal preference of the owner decides which method is used.



Where does the water go?
As we describe earlier the Epoxy Injection keeps the water out. Whereas both an Internal Breakout and an Exterior Excavation direct the water to a weeping tile which is connected to a drain or a sump pump depending on local bylaws.



How long does a repair take?
A Epoxy Injection takes from 3-4 hours. An Exterior Excavation can take anywhere from 1-5 days as can an Internal Breakout.



Can the basement be finished following inside repairs?
There are no special considerations when covering over a Epoxy Injection. However care must be taken when building walls to cover an Internal Breakout to ensure that nothing penetrates the membrane. We will be happy to discuss this with you in your home or for online directions click here.



Are the chemicals used for the epoxy injection harmful?
Once cured there is no odour or danger posed by the injection chemicals. While there is an odour during the process it poses no real health risk.



Is there a warranty?
We provide a 5 year warranty on all of our waterproofing processes unless otherwise indicated.



Do you do the work yourself or do you sell the materials?
While some things do get subcontracted to other trades, all of the actual waterproofing is performed by us. Often we get requests to purchase material in order for persons to perform the repairs themselves. Our policy is to perform all repairs ourselves to ensure the quality of the application.


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