Foundation Waterproofing in Aurora — Exterior, Done Right

We dig down to the footing, strip the old coating, install a proper membrane and drainage board, and replace the weeping tile. That is foundation waterproofing in Aurora done the way it should be — not a brush-on patch from the inside. OCM Excavation & Construction handles exterior waterproofing across Aurora, from 1970s-80s side-splits along the Wellington corridor to newer two-storeys in Bayview Glen and the Hills of St. Andrew. Call 416-317-3090 for a free site visit and quote.

Why Aurora basements leak

Most of the leaks we chase in Aurora trace back to one of four causes. Older homes on Yonge, Wellington, and the original Aurora Heights grid are now 40-50 years old — the asphalt-emulsion coating used in that era has a service life of 20-25 years and is long past expired. Grade has settled toward the wall, so surface water now runs at the foundation instead of away. Clay-heavy backfill holds water against the concrete every spring. And the original weeping tile — often perforated clay or thin-wall corrugated — has crushed, silted, or disconnected from the sump.

Newer Aurora subdivisions like Bayview Glen, Bayview Wellington, and parts of north Aurora are not immune. Builder-grade dampproofing (a thin spray coat) is not the same as waterproofing. Once a hairline crack opens at a cold joint or a tie-rod hole, water tracks straight in.

Our exterior waterproofing process

Exterior is the only method that addresses the cause instead of the symptom. Interior systems route water that is already inside your wall to a sump — useful as a last resort, but the concrete stays wet and the rebar keeps corroding. Here is how we approach an Aurora job:

• Locates and prep. Ontario One Call ticket, utility marks, and a plan to protect landscaping, walkways, AC condensers, and the gas meter.
• Excavation to footing. Typical Aurora basements sit 7-8 feet deep. We open a working trench wide enough to stand in and shore where required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Wall prep. Pressure-wash, scrape off the failed coating, parge any voids or honeycomb, and inject hairline cracks with polyurethane where needed.
• Membrane. Self-adhered rubberized asphalt or a sprayed elastomeric — both carry long manufacturer warranties when installed to spec.
• Dimple drainage board. Creates an air gap so any future moisture drains down to the weeper instead of pressing on the wall.
• New weeping tile. 4-inch perforated PVC, wrapped in filter sock, set on washed stone at the footing, sloped to a sump or storm connection.
• Backfill and grade. Clean granular against the wall, native soil above, finished grade sloped a minimum of 2% away from the foundation for the first 1.8 metres per the OBC.

What it costs in Aurora

Exterior waterproofing is priced by linear foot of wall, depth of excavation, and access. A single-wall repair on a walkout corner can land in the $6,000-$12,000 range. A full-perimeter dig on a detached two-storey runs higher — frequently $25,000-$45,000 depending on landscaping restoration, deck removal, and whether the weeping tile has to be re-routed. We give a fixed written number after the site visit. No “starting at” pricing.

Aurora-specific things we check

• LSRCA jurisdiction. Most of Aurora drains to the East Holland River and falls under the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. Properties near a regulated watercourse or wetland may need an LSRCA permit before excavation under O. Reg. 41/24.
• Tree By-law 5850-16. Aurora protects private trees with a trunk diameter of 20 cm or more measured at 1.4 m. If our trench runs through a critical root zone, we plan around it or pull a permit.
• Site Alteration By-law 6226-19. Moving more than a token volume of soil on an Aurora lot can trigger a site alteration permit. We confirm with the Town before mobilizing.
• Septic on rural lots. North-east Aurora estate lots often run on septic. We keep excavation well clear of the tank and bed.

Why Aurora homeowners hire OCM

We are an excavation company that does waterproofing — not a coating crew that rents a digger once a year. Our operators run the machine, our labourers prep the wall, and the same crew finishes the grade. One company, one warranty, one phone number: 416-317-3090. We work across the GTA and Aurora is a regular postal code on our schedule.

If your problem looks more like saturated soil and a wet basement floor than wall seepage, a perimeter drain may be the right call — see our French drain page for Aurora.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an exterior waterproofing job take in Aurora?

A single-wall repair is usually 3-5 working days from dig to backfill. A full-perimeter exterior waterproof on a detached Aurora home typically runs 7-14 days, weather permitting. Landscape restoration adds time depending on what was there before.

Will you damage my landscaping, driveway, or deck?

We document everything before we dig. Shrubs in the trench path get removed or transplanted, decks and porches are detached or temporarily relieved where needed, and interlock is lifted and re-laid. Anything that has to come out is on the quote before we start.

Is interior waterproofing ever the right answer in Aurora?

Sometimes — usually when access is blocked by a neighbour’s structure on a zero-lot-line wall, or when budget rules out a full excavation. Interior systems manage water that is already in the wall; they do not stop it from getting there. We will tell you honestly which approach fits your situation.

Do I need a permit to waterproof my Aurora foundation?

A building permit is not typically required for like-for-like waterproofing, but Aurora’s Site Alteration By-law 6226-19 may apply, and LSRCA approval is needed near regulated areas. We confirm with the Town and the conservation authority before we mobilize.

What warranty comes with the work?

Membrane manufacturers carry their own product warranties — typically 10-25 years depending on the system. We back our workmanship in writing. Specific terms go on the contract.

My house is from 1978 — is the foundation worth saving?

Almost always, yes. Most Aurora homes from the 70s and 80s have sound poured concrete or block walls; what failed is the coating, the weeping tile, and the grade. Replace those three and the foundation has another 40-50 years in it.

Book a site visit

If your Aurora basement is showing efflorescence, damp drywall, or water at the cove joint, the time to act is before the next spring thaw. Call OCM at 416-317-3090 or request a free quote online. We will walk the foundation with you and give you a real number.

Related Services in Auror

• Foundation Waterproofing in Burlington
• Foundation Waterproofing in Newmarke
• Foundation Waterproofing in Vaughan
• Foundation Waterproofing in Toronto
• Drainage & French Drain in Auror
• French Drain Installation in Auror
• Sump Pump Installation in Vaughan
• Basement Underpinning in Vaughan
• Window Well Installation in Vaughan
• Egress Window Installation in Vaughan