Many homes in Toronto have brick walls that sit on concrete foundations. These homes can be strong and beautiful, but they also have a common problem. Water can seep in between the brick wall and the concrete foundation. This can cause a lot of damage over time.
At TheFixitGuys, we often help people with this issue. If you are seeing water or mould inside your basement or workshop, you are not alone.
Why Is Water Getting In?
Water can get into your home if the joint between the brick wall and the concrete slab is not sealed properly. This often happens when there is heavy rain or poor drainage. If the water keeps falling on one area again and again, it starts to seep into the small gap between the wall and the foundation.
What If It Rains for Many Days?
If it rains for many days in a row, the water has more time to soak in. Even if it’s a small amount of water, it builds up. After 30 days of rain, you might start to see mould growing on your walls inside the home. You may also notice a musty smell or dampness in the air.
What Damage Can This Cause?
When water enters through the brick and foundation joint, it doesn’t stay outside. It can go into your basement, workshop, or crawl space. Once inside, the moisture can cause:
- Mould and mildew
- Peeling paint
- White powder stains (called efflorescence)
- Weakening of the wall structure
- Damage to wood or tools in your workshop
- Health issues if mould grows too much
What Is That White Powder?
The white powder on your wall is called efflorescence. It comes from salts in the bricks or cement. When water comes through the wall, it brings the salts with it. When the water dries, the salt stays behind. It looks like white dust or chalk.
Can This Be Fixed?
Yes. This is something we fix often in Toronto homes. But first, we need to understand that it’s not a small repair. If the water is coming in along 30 to 50 feet of wall, it means the issue is happening all along the joint. So, patching only one small spot will not stop the leak.
What Can We Do to Stop the Water?
There are a few things we can do to reduce or stop the water from coming in.
1. Clean the Area First
We start by cleaning the joint area where the brick meets the foundation. We remove any loose materials like dirt, dust, or broken cement. This helps us see the gap clearly.
2. Use Waterproof Sealant
We use a strong waterproof sealant to fill the gap. This sealant is made to stop water from getting in. We make sure to apply it properly all along the length of the wall. This helps keep the joint tight and sealed.
3. Apply a Waterproof Coating
After sealing the joint, we sometimes apply a waterproof coating over the area. This adds another layer of protection. Products like Drylok can help, but only if the surface is cleaned and prepped properly.
Will Drylok or Paint Be Enough?
Drylok or waterproof paint can help but they cannot fix big cracks. If water is already getting in through a large gap, paint alone will not stop it. Water will still find its way under the paint. So before painting, the joint must be sealed with a proper sealant.
What If the Brick Sits Right on the Slab?
In some homes, the brick sits right on the edge of the concrete slab. There is no step or space to slope the water away. In this case, the only option is to seal the joint as best as possible and control the water from above.
What About the Water from the Roof?
Sometimes, the biggest problem is not the joint but the water falling on it from above. If your roof has no gutters or if the gutters are broken, water can fall directly on the wall. Over time, this water will find any weak spot and start seeping in.
Can Gutters Help?
Yes. Installing or repairing gutters can help control where the water goes. Gutters move water away from your wall. Downspouts should also send the water at least a few feet away from the foundation.
Can We Fix the Grading?
In many cases, fixing the grading (the slope of the ground) is a great solution. But sometimes, like in your case, the brick is sitting on a large concrete pad that is part of the foundation. You cannot dig or slope this pad. So grading is not an option. That’s okay. We can still find other ways to fix it.
What If Someone Tells Me to Remove the Wall?
Some contractors may suggest removing the whole wall. That is a very big and expensive job. It is usually not needed unless the wall is falling apart. At TheFixitGuys, we believe in smart and simple solutions first. We don’t suggest big changes unless they are really needed.
What Type of Expert Do You Need?
You may feel confused about who to call. Some people say to call a general contractor. Others say to call a mason. But many of them may not want to take on this kind of job.
We are used to these types of problems. We understand both the structure and the waterproofing side. That’s why we can give you a full solution that works.
Can This Be a DIY Job?
Small cracks can sometimes be sealed by homeowners using store-bought waterproof sealant. But in this case, where the issue is 30 to 50 feet long and includes moisture, mould and structural risk, we do not recommend doing it yourself.
Waterproofing is tricky. If you miss a spot or apply the product in the wrong way, the leak can return. In Toronto’s climate, with lots of rain and snow, a professional repair is the best long-term fix.
What If I Just Want a Temporary Fix?
Sometimes, a full fix is not possible right now. You may just want to stop the water for now and deal with a full repair later.
In that case, we can provide a temporary seal and help manage the water flow. For example, we can apply sealant and put up moisture barriers inside the home. We can also give advice on controlling mould and keeping the area dry.
Can Mould Be Cleaned?
Yes. Once the leak is fixed, we can clean the area to remove mould. This usually includes:
- Removing affected drywall or wood if needed
- Using mould-killing products
- Drying the area completely
- Repainting with mould-resistant paint
We can guide you on this or help do the work depending on how bad the mould is.
Why Choose TheFixitGuys?
We understand Toronto homes. We know how the weather and older home designs can lead to water issues. Our team is trained in both brickwork and foundation sealing. That means you don’t have to call many people or guess who can help.
We also believe in honest work. If a job is too big or too expensive for now, we’ll help you find a way to manage it until you’re ready. We also offer regular check-ups to make sure the fix is holding up.
Let Us Help You
If you are seeing water leaks where your brick wall meets the foundation call us today. We can visit your home check the problem and give you the best options. Whether you want a full repair or just a temporary solution we are ready to help.
We care about your home just like you do. Let TheFixitGuys keep your home dry safe and strong.
