Benefits of underpinning
According to Köppen climate classification, which is one of the most widely used climate classification systems which was first published by the German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen most of the major cities in Canada that lies near to the American Border has a warm summer humid Continental climate. 85% of the Canadian population lives within 300 kilometres of the Canada-United States border. As you move towards the northern part it becomes subarctic.
Canada’s fresh water can be found in the form of rivers, lakes, groundwater, ice, and snow. With over two million lakes and rivers and 20 percent of the world’s freshwater, Canada has an incredible abundance of aquatic natural resources.
This climate characteristic has its own flip side on the construction industry with many houses in canada facing basement leak and water seepage problem.
Causes of water seepage and leaks
- Foundations (footings) are horizontal pads that define the perimeter of foundation walls. When footings are too narrow or are not laid deep enough, they are susceptible to movement caused by soil erosion.
- Gutters and downspouts are used to catch rainwater as it falls and to discharge it away from houses and buildings. When gutters are clogged or downspouts are broken, rainwater is absorbed by the soil near the foundation, increasing hydrostatic pressure.
- Weeping tile is a porous plastic drain pipe installed around the perimeter of the house. The main purpose of external weeping tile is preventing water from getting into a basement. However, these pipes can become clogged or damaged, which causes excess water to put pressure on internal walls and basement floors.
- Water build up inside window wells, after heavy rain or snow, can lead to leaks through the basement window seams. Window well covers can be used to prevent water from accumulating in the window well.
- Ground saturation is another common form of basement leaks. When the footing drain fails the ground around the basement can contain too much water and when the saturation point is met flooding can occur.
- Water in the soil causes hydrostatic pressure to be exerted underneath basement floors and walls. This hydrostatic pressure can force water in through cracks, which can cause major structural damage as well as mold, decay, and other moisture-related problems.
- Rooms and spaces below the ground floor will, in almost all situations, have walls that are below ground making them earth retaining. Damp proof courses (if they exist at all) will have been installed higher in the wall, above ground level, to protect the ground floor timbers.