Interior waterproofing
Collects water that has already reached the footing.
Collects water that has already reached the wall-floor joint when the outside cannot be dug.
Floor leaks
Water at the basement wall-floor joint
Water where the wall meets the floor in a Hamilton basement usually means groundwater has reached the footing. It is not a leak from a pipe above. Interior drainage and a sump give that water a way out. Exterior waterproofing is the other route when the outside of the wall can be dug. Which one fits depends on access and on where else the water appears.
Possible causes
- Hydrostatic pressure at the footing
- Weeping tile that is silted, collapsed, or missing
- Grading or downspouts sending rain against the foundation
Repairs that are usually considered
Sump pumps
Pumps out water that reaches a pit.
Lifts water from an interior drain so it can leave the house.
Exterior waterproofing
Stops water at the outside of the wall.
Fits when the wall can be excavated and the goal is to stop water before it reaches the footing.
When to call
Standing water near electrical equipment is an emergency. Recurring water after rain, even a small amount at the joint, should be inspected. It rarely dries up for good on its own.
This is guidance, not an inspection.
Send this guidance with a Hamilton quote
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This city site diagnoses locally and sends completed requests directly into the Waterproof Ontario matching network.
