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The DryShield 7-Layer Exterior Waterproofing System (2026 Edition)
Our signature exterior basement waterproofing services are designed to stop water at the source, preventing it from ever touching your foundation walls.
Layer 1: Structural Repair & Footing Inspection The foundation is excavated to the footing. We chiseled out all visible cracks to ensure a clean, deep bond for the repair material.
Layer 2: Hydraulic Cement Fusion Every vertical and horizontal crack is filled with expanding hydraulic cement. Unlike standard mortar, this material expands as it cures to “weld” the crack shut and eliminate water seepage.
Layer 3: Primary Rubberized Bituminous Membrane A thick, seamless coat of elastomeric liquid rubber is hand-applied to the entire wall. This layer remains flexible even in freezing Ontario temperatures, bridging future hairline cracks as the house settles.
Layer 4: 10-Mil Polyethylene Reinforcement Sheeting In place of standard mesh, we embed a heavy-duty 6-mil poly sheeting directly into the first wet coat of the membrane. This creates a puncture-resistant “sandwich” that prevents the rubber from thinning or tearing over time.
Layer 5: Dimpled High-Density Air-Gap Membrane We install a commercial-grade dimpled board (like Delta-MS or Platon). The dimples face the wall, creating an intentional air gap. This relieves hydrostatic pressure, allowing any moisture to fall by gravity directly to the drainage system.
Layer 6: Perforated Weeping Tile & 3/4″ River Stone A new 4-inch perforated drainage pipe is laid along the footing. We surround this pipe with a deep bed of 3/4″ clean-crushed river stone to ensure a massive capacity for water collection.
Layer 7: Geotextile Filter Cloth “Soil Shield” To ensure your system never clogs, we install a Non-Woven Geotextile Filter Cloth directly on top of the river stone drainage bed. This acting as a fine filter that allows water through but blocks silt, clay, and soil particles from entering your weeping tiles.
If outside excavation isn’t an option for your property, we offer high-performance interior basement waterproofing systems that manage water pressure from beneath the floor slab.”
Why 7 Layers? The “DryShield Advantage” vs. Standard Systems
In the waterproofing industry, many contractors offer a “Standard 5-Layer” system to keep their costs low. While this may pass a basic inspection, it often fails in the face of Ontario’s extreme freeze-thaw cycles and heavy clay soils.
At Dryshield, we don’t believe in “standard”—we believe in permanent. Here is how our 7-layer system outperforms the competition:
| Feature | Standard 5-Layer System | DryShield 7-Layer Advantage |
| Puncture Protection | Minimal. Drainage board sits directly against the rubberized membrane. | Superior. 10-mil Poly Sheeting acts as a shield, preventing backfill from damaging the rubberized membrane. |
| Clog Prevention | Weeping tiles are often left exposed to silt. | Guaranteed. Geotextile Filter Cloth filters out fine soil before it ever reaches your pipes. |
| Crack Stability | Reliance on a single membrane coat. | Enhanced. Triple-threat protection with Rubberized Urethan, Poly sheeting and Dimple Boad. |
| Hydrostatic Pressure | Basic air-gap board only. | Advanced. Combined Air-Gap + Geotextile drainage ensures water is always moving away from the wall. |
Before waterproofing from the outside if you have a poured foundation and you see a crack in the wall, we maybe able to resolve a foundation leak with a professional foundation crack repair using our hydrophobic polyurethane injection system.
The Risk of 5 Layers (Common Failures)
The two “missing” layers in a 5-layer system are usually the Poly Sheeting and the Filter Cloth. Without these:
- Membrane Stress: When the soil freezes and shifts (very common in Toronto), it can grab the dimpled board and rub it against the rubberized membrane. Without the Poly Sheeting to act as a friction-reducing “slip sheet,” the membrane can tear, creating a new leak.
- System Clogging: Over 5–10 years, fine clay particles seep through the gravel and fill your weeping tiles with mud. Our Geotextile Filter Cloth acts as a permanent filter, ensuring your drainage system stays clear for the lifetime of your home.
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Ready to start budgeting? Use our interactive 2026 basement waterproofing cost estimator to get an instant idea of your project requirements.
