Sick Building Solutions News
Change of Seasons
This summer has been mostly hot and dry. Toronto has seen very little of the normal rainfall we get, but things are beginning to change. In the last few weeks of August and into the fall, rainfall rates will pickup and we'll be dealing with water leakages and mould once again.
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining a dry home is to ensure that the drainage system outside is operating properly. We have seen many houses where the water leakage into the basement can be traced back to poor or broken downspouts.
Water needs an open, easy conduit to flow down and if there are breaks or obstructions, it will head in unexpected and often problematic directions. One of the simpleest fixes for this problem is to ensure that your eavestorughs are clean. The fall is a very bad time for leaves piling up in the eaves so as difficult as the job is, get them cleaned out. It could potentially save you a lot of money.
The mandatory disconnection of downspouts in Toronto is part of this. One of the big problems with older houses was the clay piping that led from the aluminium downspouts to the underground storm sewer system. It would seem like a good idea, but after a long period time, the clay cracked and water could end up pooling against the basement walls instead of being dreained away. This led to increased water pressure against the walls and any cracks in the foundation start leaking.
Solution? Make sure that the downspouts are disconnected and run out to at least six feet away from the edge of the house. This will ensure that water is drained far away from the basement wall.