A
Aggregate (Clear Stone)
What is it? Washed ¾-inch gravel placed around weeping tiles during waterproofing.
Why it matters: It acts as a filter. In Toronto’s clay soil, using the wrong stone (or reusing old dirt) clogs the drainage pipe, leading to future floods.
The Fix: We only use premium clear stone for Exterior Waterproofing.
Aqua-Bloc
What is it? A heavy-duty, rubberized asphalt membrane applied as a liquid to foundation walls.
Why it matters: Unlike simple tar, Aqua-Bloc stays flexible when dry, meaning it won’t crack when your foundation shifts during freeze-thaw cycles.
Link: Standard in our Exterior Protection Package.
B
Backwater Valve
What is it? A flap valve installed on your main sewer line that allows water out but stops sewage from flowing back in.
Why it matters: It is your only defense against city sewer backups during heavy storms.
Money Saving Tip: Toronto offers a rebate for this. See our Rebate Guide.
Battery Backup Pump
What is it? A secondary sump pump running on a heavy-duty marine battery.
Why it matters: Storms often cause power outages. Without a backup, your primary pump stops working exactly when you need it most.
Link: Backup Systems.
Block Foundation (Cinder Block)
What is it? Foundations built from stacked concrete blocks, common in homes built before 1970.
Why it matters: These are hollow. When they leak, water fills the hollow cores like a tank before spilling onto your floor.
The Fix: Interior sealing rarely works; these usually require Exterior Waterproofing.
C
Carbon Fiber Strap
What is it? A high-tensile fabric strap epoxied to a bowing foundation wall.
Why it matters: It is the strongest, least invasive way to stop a wall from collapsing inward due to soil pressure, without digging up the yard.
Link: Structural Foundation Repair.
Check Valve
What is it? A one-way valve installed on the sump pump discharge pipe.
Why it matters: It prevents pumped water from sliding back down into the pit when the pump turns off. If this fails, your pump runs continuously and burns out.
Cove Joint
What is it? The seam where the foundation wall meets the basement floor.
Why it matters: This is the #1 entry point for leaks in the GTA. It is not sealed during construction, allowing water under pressure to squeeze through.
The Fix: Requires an Interior Weeping Tile System.
Crawl Space Encapsulation
What is it? The process of sealing a dirt crawl space with a thick vapor barrier, insulation, and conditioning.
Why it matters: An unsealed crawl space allows moisture, mold, and radon to rise into your main living area.
Link: Crawl Space Services.
Crack Injection
What is it? Filling a wall crack with liquid resin (Epoxy or Polyurethane) to seal it.
Why it matters: It is the fastest, cheapest way to fix a vertical crack in a poured concrete wall from the inside.
D
Delta-MS (Dimpled Membrane)
What is it? A brown, plastic “bubble wrap” looking sheet installed on exterior walls.
Why it matters: The dimples create an air gap that allows water to drain straight down to the weeping tile, keeping the concrete wall dry even if the soil is wet.
Link: Essential for Exterior Waterproofing.
Discharge Pipe
What is it? The PVC pipe that carries water from your sump pump to the exterior.
Why it matters: In Toronto winters, this pipe can freeze if not sloped correctly, causing the pump to fail. We recommend an “Ice Guard” fitting to prevent this.
Drain Tile
What is it? Another name for “Weeping Tile.” A perforated pipe that collects groundwater.
Why it matters: If this pipe collapses (common in clay tile from the 1960s), your basement will flood.
Link: Drain Tile Replacement.
E
Efflorescence
What is it? White, powdery salt deposits on basement walls.
Why it matters: It is a visible warning sign that water is migrating through your foundation, even if you don’t see a puddle yet.
Link: Diagnose your leak here.
Epoxy Injection
What is it? A structural resin that cures rock-hard.
Why it matters: Used specifically for “welding” cracked concrete back together to restore structural strength (unlike Polyurethane, which is for leaks).
Link: Epoxy Services.
F
Footing
What is it? The wide concrete base that supports your foundation walls.
Why it matters: Water pools here first. Your weeping tile must be installed *beside* the footing, not on top of it, for effective drainage.
French Drain
What is it? An exterior trench filled with gravel and pipe to redirect surface water.
Why it matters: Used in yards with poor grading to stop water from pooling against the foundation walls.
G
Geotextile (Filter Cloth)
What is it? A fabric sock wrapped around drainage pipes.
Why it matters: It allows water to enter the pipe but blocks the fine clay silt found in Toronto soil, preventing the system from clogging.
Grading (Slope)
What is it? The angle of the soil surrounding your foundation.
Why it matters: “Negative grading” (soil sloping toward the house) directs rain right against your walls. Fixing this is often the first step in leak prevention.
H
Honeycombing
What is it? Areas of concrete wall that look rough, pitted, or rocky.
Why it matters: Caused by poor pouring during construction, these porous areas allow water to pass right through the wall.
The Fix: Requires Concrete Crack Repair.
Hydrostatic Pressure
What is it? The immense weight of standing water pushing against your foundation.
Why it matters: This is the force that pushes water up through your floor cracks. You cannot stop it by plugging the hole; you must relieve the pressure.
The Fix: Interior Waterproofing System.
I
Interior Weeping Tile
What is it? A drainage system installed *under* the basement floor inside the house.
Why it matters: It captures water rising from below (hydrostatic pressure) before it floods your floor, routing it to a sump pump.
Link: See How It Works.
J
Joint Sealant
What is it? Flexible waterproof caulking applied to floor cracks.
Why it matters: Used to seal the control joints in a basement floor to prevent radon gas and minor moisture entry.
K
Keyway
What is it? The groove in the footing where the wall sits.
Why it matters: If this joint fails, water seeps in at the floor level. This is often the specific source of a “Cove Joint” leak.
L
Lateral Pressure
What is it? The force of soil expanding (due to water or frost) and pushing against the wall.
Why it matters: This is what causes Horizontal Cracks and bowing walls.
M
Membrane (Elastomeric)
What is it? A rubber-like waterproof coating.
Why it matters: It bridges hairline cracks that form over time, ensuring the wall stays waterproof even if the house settles slightly.
Link: Used in Exterior Waterproofing.
N
Negative Side Waterproofing
What is it? Waterproofing applied to the *inside* (dry side) of the wall.
Why it matters: It manages water that has already entered the wall. Ideal when you cannot dig up the outside (e.g., tight property lines).
Link: Interior Waterproofing.
O
Over-Pour
What is it? When the concrete floor is poured slightly too high, covering the bottom of the drywall.
Why it matters: This creates a “wicking” effect where the drywall sucks up moisture from the floor, leading to mold.
P
Polyurethane Injection
What is it? A flexible resin injected into cracks.
Why it matters: Unlike Epoxy, Polyurethane expands when it touches water and stays flexible. It is the preferred method for stopping active leaks in Toronto.
Link: Leak Repair Services.
Poured Concrete Foundation
What is it? Solid concrete walls (standard in homes post-1970).
Why it matters: These usually leak through specific vertical cracks or rod holes, which are easy to inject.
Q
Quick-Setting Cement (Hydraulic)
What is it? Cement that hardens in 3-5 minutes, even underwater.
Why it matters: Used to instantly plug gushing “Rod Holes” or active leaks to stop the flow before applying a permanent seal.
R
Rod Holes (Tie Rods)
What is it? Small, coin-sized rusty circles on the wall.
Why it matters: Artifacts from construction forms. The metal rusts out, leaving a hole straight through the wall. A very common leak source.
The Fix: Simple Injection Repair.
S
Spalling
What is it? When the surface of concrete flakes or peels off, leaving a pitted look.
Why it matters: It is caused by water getting trapped inside the concrete and freezing. It indicates your foundation is absorbing water and needs sealing.
Sump Pump
What is it? A pump in a pit that ejects water out of the basement.
Why it matters: It is the “heart” of an interior waterproofing system. If it fails, the system fails.
Link: Sump Pump Installation.
Structural Crack
What is it? Usually a horizontal or “stair-step” crack wider than 1/8 inch.
Why it matters: Indicates the foundation is moving or failing. Needs immediate attention.
Link: Foundation Repair.
T
Thermal Break
What is it? Insulation on the wall that separates cold concrete from warm air.
Why it matters: Prevents condensation (sweating walls), which homeowners often mistake for a leak.
U
Underpinning
What is it? Deepening the foundation to increase ceiling height.
Why it matters: Requires new waterproofing systems to be installed at the new, lower depth.
Link: Cost Calculator.
V
Vapor Barrier
What is it? A thick plastic sheet (usually 6-mil or greater).
Why it matters: Essential in Crawl Spaces to stop ground moisture from rotting your floor joists.
Vertical Crack
What is it? A crack running up and down the wall.
Why it matters: Usually caused by concrete shrinkage (settling). They are common and not structural, but they let water in.
The Fix: Polyurethane Injection.
W
Weeping Tile
What is it? The perforated pipe running around the base of your foundation.
Why it matters: It is your home’s main drainage system. If it is clogged or crushed, hydrostatic pressure builds up and the basement floods.
Link: Weeping Tile Replacement.
Window Well
What is it? A galvanized steel well around basement windows.
Why it matters: If the drain inside the well clogs, the well fills up like a fishbowl and pours water through your window.
X
Xypex
What is it? A crystalline waterproofing technology applied to concrete.
Why it matters: It grows crystals inside the concrete pores to block water paths. Often used for patching cracks where injection isn’t possible.
Z
Zone of Saturation
What is it? The soil depth where all gaps are filled with water (the Water Table).
Why it matters: During heavy rain, this zone rises. If it rises above your basement floor, you get Hydrostatic Pressure leaks.
