fbpx

When Is Damp Proofing Better Than Waterproofing?

If you’ve got a building that’s in need of some kind of moisture guard, you’re probably deliberating between damp proofing and waterproofing. The question is, which one is better? Waterproofing is more extensive, so is damp proofing ever the better choice? Let’s take a look at what makes them different and how to choose between them.

The Difference Between the Two

One can guess just from the names that waterproofing is more extensive than damp proofing. If we look at it in a bit more detail, we can see just how they differ.

Damp proofing is intended to keep soil moisture from penetrating cement, brick, or stone basement walls. It involves digging around the basement walls of a building and coating the walls in a liquid membrane. This can be made with materials such as tar that’s sprayed on. The coating is usually about 10mm thick and keeps the moisture from the soil from contacting the building at all.

Waterproofing is much more extensive and involves an additional barrier that’s solid. The total membrane of exterior basement waterproofing is about 4 times as thick. This is, of course, much more effective, which is why it’s the go-to solution for buildings experiencing actual water collection against their sides. 

If your home is located, for example, on a hill, a heavy rain could lead to actual streams of water running past your house. This will eat into the stone making up your basement walls and erode it. It will also leak into the basement and can cause floods. Waterproofing will prevent this.

What Makes Waterproofing Better?

Waterproofing is better than damp proofing, in terms of capabilities and water damage prevention, because of how thick and flexible it is. However, just because it’s stronger than damp proofing doesn’t mean it’s the must-have solution for all buildings.

When Is Damp Proofing the Better Choice?

Damp proofing is, perhaps, the better choice for most residential buildings. Most homes won’t ever have so much water resting against the sides of their basements that full waterproofing is necessary. The majority of homes will be adequately protected with the former.

Is there any reason not to get waterproofing? It may be stronger, but if you don’t need it, the practicality of spending the extra money on it is debatable. 

Simply put, damp proofing is the better choice if your home doesn’t need waterproofing and if your budget doesn’t either. There’s no need to spring for the more extensive service if it will never actually benefit you.

Waterproofing Services in Toronto

Whichever damage prevention method is right for you, POM Waterproofing can help you out. We do both damp proofing and waterproofing for all types of buildings in Toronto. Let us know you’re looking for services and we can give you a quote.

Installing a French Drain to Prevent Garden Flooding

Plumbing and waterproofing come with a lot of words and terms that aren’t common vocabulary. After all, the average person has no need to know the meaning and purpose of ten different kinds of drain, right? Well, maybe not, but if you end up needing help, it’s nice to know what to ask for. Would you know what to ask for if you wanted to prevent garden flooding? You will when you’re done with this article!

How to Prevent Garden Flooding

If you’re experiencing any kind of flooding or pooling in your garden because your yard is sloped, there’s an easy solution: the French drain. A French drain will give water that would normally pool a place to go that isn’t your garden. If your garden regularly floods because of your yard sloping into it, a French drain placed at the beginning of the garden will stop the flooding. We can even cover the drain in gravel or garden rocks to make it function like an accessory to your garden. There’s no reason your French drain should detract from the overall appearance of your yard.

How Does a French Drain Work?

A French drain is, simply put, a drain meant to prevent flooding at lower points in the ground. They’re most commonly found at the base of a sloping driveway – in front of the garage – and at the lower end of a sloped yard.

The French drain prevents flooding and, instead, redirects water away from the house and yard. If there’s a nearby storm drain, your French drain can redirect water to there. Otherwise, a nearby ditch will do just fine and help to prevent garden flooding.

Installing a French Drain

What is the French drain installation process like? It depends on where it’s being installed.

If your French drain is being installed in your yard to prevent garden flooding, the process is fairly simple. We’ll start by digging a trench the length of the future drain. We’ll also need to dig a trench where any drainage pipe is laid. The drain will be installed in the trench. The French drain is shaped kind of like a trough with a grate on top. This grate can be covered with decorative stones or large enough gravel.

When the French drain is installed, water that would normally turn your garden into a big mud pit will get caught before reaching it. It will then be redirected into the connected drainage ditch or storm drain.

Get a French Drain in Toronto

If you’re looking for a French drain to be installed somewhere in Toronto, POM Waterproofing is here to help. Give us a call and we can give you a visit to work up a price estimate. We look forward to hearing from you and improving your yard’s drainage!