What to know about waterproofing your home as the rain continues in Mississauga and Halton

It’s important all-year round, but particularly during the rainy spring we’re having, to ensure your home’s basement is waterproof – something MMT Waterproofing can assist with.

The company has helped waterproof homes in Mississauga, Halton, Toronto and the rest of the GTA for over a decade, specializing in both internal and external waterproofing, among other services.

If you’ve never had waterproofing work done before, you may not know what the difference is between the two. However, both can play a vital role in ensuring your home stays safe and dry when heavy rain and potential floods come knocking.

Here’s the quick rundown on internal vs external waterproofing:

Internal waterproofing

Waterproofing your basement from the inside is a more cost-effective option, and may be your best bet if your home is too close to your neighbours (which is likely in more urban and compact cities like Toronto). Another situation where internal waterproofing may be preferable is if your house is located on a high water table.

Internal waterproofing is quick, easy and more affordable, and can even be done at the same time as other basement renovations if you want to save time and money. Water that enters the home is routed out via a drainage system such as weeping tile and drain tile, which effectively move water away from the home.

Homes that are more prone to flooding may also opt to install a sump pump, which collects water from the drainage system and pumps it out away from the basement. Sump pumps are generally installed with a battery backup to ensure water still gets pumped out even in the case of an unexpected power outage.

External waterproofing

While external waterproofing costs more and takes longer, it also tends to be more effective and offers homeowners more peace of mind. Unlike internal waterproofing where water that has already entered the home is routed out, external waterproofing aims to keep the water out of the home, period. This is done by excavating and exposing the foundations of the home, then applying the necessary waterproofing material to create a system that will redirect and disperse water away from the foundation walls.

MMT Waterproofing’s unique method involves applying six different layers of waterproofing materials to ensure the best prevention of water damage while preserving the home’s original look. In the process, they’ll also fix any basement leaks and do any needed repairs to the basement’s foundation, such as filling up cracks.

Whether you go for internal or external waterproofing, both can help protect your home from structural damage and water-related issues such as the presence of mould, which can lead to unsafe living conditions.

Not sure if your basement is at risk? Look out for these warning signs:

• Cracks in the foundation: Any cracks or damage to your home’s foundation, even small ones, can potentially allow water into the property and cause dampness, mould, or flooding.
• Window well issues: Water marks or stains on your foundation walls underneath your window indicate that the window well could be a major point of entry for a leak, which will eventually cause dampness in the basement.
• Blocked weeping tile: If the drains become damaged or blocked (with soil, for example), the water may not be removed and will be left to damage your property.
• Ineffective or non-functional sump pump: Sump pumps require maintenance to make sure they’re functional. If not maintained, a sump pump could fail to remove water when needed and allow flooding to occur.

In addition to internal and external waterproofing, MMT Waterproofing provides various other services including sump pump installation and battery backup, basement walkout installations, window well installations, foundation repair, concrete work, and basement underpinning and lowering.

Established in 2009, the GTA company has developed a reputation over the last 14 years for the high-quality and affordable services they’ve provided to both homes and businesses.

Their team of contractors is fully licensed and insured, and they offer a 25-year warranty which is transferable on all of their services for added peace of mind.

They’ve won multiple awards on the home service review website HomeStars and amassed glowing testimonials from satisfied clients who appreciated the work MMT Waterproofing did for them.

Before unexpected heavy rainfall or flooding cause unnecessary damage to your home, contact MMT Waterproofing to get a free estimate and find out what they can do for you.

For more info, visit their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.