Having any kind of water seepage and damage in the basement can be very stressful, especially when we had finished renovating our basement a little less than two years ago. We automatically went into panic mode after water came seeping into our basement one evening due to a very unusual warm period causing all the snow in our yard to melt. Accompany that with a week of heavy rainy and our worst fears came true. We were afraid that the moisture would turn into mold if we didn’t take action quickly. Fortunately, the water seepage was contained in one room. Unfortunately, we didn’t have water seepage insurance and was referred to an emergency contractor to visit our home. The emergency contractor, Peter, was a big mistake. My understanding was that the $1500 agreed upon was to replace the floors and the drywall’s after he tore it up. This wasn’t the case. The charge was only for the following: 1. tearing up the dry wall; 2. tearing up of the laminate floors, and in doing so left ragged edges in the laminate flooring at the door and under the stairs just outside the room, (a total mess) and 3. Rental of his ‘industrial ‘ dehumidifier to ensure that the walls and the floors dried up properly. We already had a high functioning dehumidifier, but Peter said it was not good enough. This was total BS and I fell into the trap. Total disappointment in this contractor as he was not clear about what the cost really was for. I was very clear about what my understanding was as I even asked if I should be ordering the replacement laminate flooring and he said not yet. We should do the external waterproofing first before renovating the inside. I found out later on that he wasn’t even a waterproofer. Peter was just a home renovation guy. In any case, for those of you reading, do not fall into this trap. The water damage is already done, do not panic.
A close colleague of mine recommended we speak to Chico at AquaShield Waterproofing, so I sent him a text. Chico responded immediately by calling me and dropped by our house the next day. Our luck had changed. Even after getting quotes from other waterproofing companies which were competitive in pricing, they were however, a little hesitant to work if the temperature was less then 10 degrees outside. Our gut was to go with Chico and AquaShield. Our choice was confirmed after speaking to another close friend, in conversation, who had also used AquaShield for waterproofing services a couple of years ago, he highly recommended Chico, AquaShield. We are so glad that we called Chico.
Chico showed professionalism in walking us through what had caused the water seepage (old cinder blocks), as well as walking us through the process of what needed to be done, when it should be done and the time needed. He was down to earth, compassionate, and understanding of our situation. He ensured us that AquaShield would be ready for our project when we were ready. Chico gave us useful advice in selecting a waterproofer and the types of questions to ask. There was no pressure whatsoever to go with his company. He was genuinely there to ease our minds and to help.
Chico had an awesome team of three waterproofers, Arty, Randy, and Noel, who worked on our external waterproofing. Our project was a little complicated as the waterproofing needed to be done under part of the deck. The other companies that visited and provided us with quotes recommended tearing up the entire deck so that they could do the waterproofing. Chico’s team was amazing as they worked diligently to dig ‘under the deck’ and only removed the planks from the deck where they absolutely needed to get to. (Of course, this is case by case, depending on the house). They removed the dirt, cleared out the old weeping tiles of the tree roots, applied the waterproofing tar, put in the new weeping tiles and secured the waterproofing materials. They also put the deck back the as it was originally, as well as leaving everything else in the yard, the same as it was before. They were amazing and quick at their job.
Initially, we had only half of the back of the house (32ft) which we were prepared to waterproof, however, experiencing the way the team worked and understanding the process really gave us comfort and we proceeded to get the full backside (75ft) of the house waterproofed. Arty would always inform my husband as to what the team was doing and would show him where he found cracks and how it was patched up. In addition to the waterproofing, the team also helped us redirect the sump pump drainage pipe to the proper drainage area as the previous company did a poor job of location.
I would definitely refer AquaShield to anyone who is looking to waterproofing your house as this is best investment ever. Call AquaShield Waterproofing because they will guide you in the process and give you comfort that your house will be waterproofed professionally.
Thank Chico, Arty, Randy and Noel. You guys are an awesome team!
As a side note, we’ve had a few days of intense rain fall and had no further issues of water seepage. Chico and his team at AquaShield Waterproofing will always have our gratitude.
Wilson & Lily
