Important Questions to Ask When Waterproofing Your Basement
When taking the plunge into getting your basement waterproofed it’s best to get a top-quality, professional, tested waterproofing company to do the work and make sure they guarantee their effort. In Toronto, because of the age of homes along with weather swings and climate extremes, basement waterproofing has become a big business. With plenty of money on the line, lots of inexperienced and unqualified people are out in the market selling their waterproofing skills. Many of them simply don’t have the needed insurance nor do they possess the equipment they require to do your job properly and to also sell the type of extended warranties they will never honour anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you start to get estimates from companies, you need to arm yourself for this major investment before you decided who you are going to choose to do the work. Below is a list of questions you will want complete answers to before you begin waterproofing your basement.
Is the Company Licensed, Insured, & Bonded?
You’ll have to know if the waterproofing contractor who wants to do the work for you is licensed, insured and bonded. From the get-go, you want to be certain you are working with a legitimate waterproofing company who can find out if permits are required by your city to do the work. You need to find out if the company’s employees have liability insurance and that its’ workers are covered by workman’s compensation protection.
If the company and employees working on your property lack proper insurance, any responsibility along with liability is hung on you, the homeowner and their insurance costs as well, if there are damages or personal injuries incurred during the project. If your owner home insurer finds outs you hired an unlicensed, uninsured company to do your work, they may not pay out damages.
Do They Waterproof Homes From the Outside?
The better waterproofing companies will offer both interior and exterior waterproofing systems depending on the home’s unique needs. It’s a good idea to ask the contractor which method they will use and why it’s the best for your situation. Even though an exterior waterproofing method is more expensive it’s generally regarded to be the best as it protects the home’s foundation. Remember, you’re looking for a long-term solution to your problem, not just a quick fix. Many smaller companies do not have the equipment or experience to do exterior waterproofing so they will always sell you on a crack injection solution or interior waterproofing solution even if it is not the best solution for you.
Can They Provide References?
Ask the contractors for work-related references and follow up with the customers they have done work for.
What Type of Warranty do They Offer?
When reading through the contract, go over every line carefully and ask questions about anything you aren’t absolutely clear about. Find out how the contractor will back up his work. Make sure you understand what is under warranty, and how long it’s under warranty like labour and materials. If you are unsure or not comfortable with anything in the contract, don’t worry about back out of it. The best warranty is a lifetime transferrable one that stays with the house no matter the owner.
Ask if the sump pumps have a lifetime guarantee. Check out how long the company has been in business with respect to warranty information since many new waterproofing companies have never once had to bother honouring a warranty so wouldn’t know the work or responsibility that goes into offering one that a company must stand behind.
How Long Have They Been in Business?
Companies that have withstood the test of time are doing something right. They have waterproofing experience and have shown success in the field with clients. Do yourself a favour and go with companies with a long record of service and keep in mind they’ve had to handle warranty issues;
What Will my Home Look Like After the Waterproofing?
There could be a lot of work involved in your project such as exterior excavation or the need for an interior drain system. The key is that you want to ensure the company you hire does the work in a professional manner. You don’t want them to leave your home looking half-finished and unpleasant. Get a full explanation before they start of what will take place after the work is done and who is responsible for what work.
What Else Can I do to Stop a Leaky Basement?
Any good contractor will willingly provide plenty of information about leaky basements. Knowledge to help you keep your home dry should be easy to get, including tips about eavestroughs, spouts, drainage system, along with window sills.
Can I Have Your Office and/or Website Address?
Any professional waterproofing contractor worth spending your hard-earned money should at least have an office and may also have a website. You shouldn’t want to have as big a job as having your basement waterproofed by someone who works out of their car or garage. It wouldn’t be easy to track them down if something went wrong.
Most of your questions regarding waterproofing should be answered by a good contractor who shouldn’t have an issue answering them honestly. Nusite Waterproofing has been in the business of basement waterproofing in Toronto for over 30 years now. We offer free, in-home written estimates and we also pride ourselves on our customer service and commitment to quality. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate.
