Our restaurant had always been free from any water flooding or structural issues. However, after an unprecedented heavy rainfall that brought over 7 inches of water within two days, we were forced to confront two weaknesses. The first was a flaw in our foundation’s waterproofing, and the second was a deficiency in our property’s ability to drain water away from the building. As a result, we embarked on two crucial projects: waterproofing our foundation and altering the grading to ensure water was directed away from our beloved restaurant. Here’s how we did it.
Waterproofing Foundation
We had a pretty big issue at our restaurant recently. After heavy rainfall, we started noticing some leaks in our foundation. Turns out, not only was water draining towards the building, but we also had some cracks in the foundation that were letting water seep into the basement.
Thankfully, we found a foundation waterproofing company that came to the rescue. They had a plan to fix the cracks and waterproof the foundation. First, they excavated the ground around the perimeter of the building to expose the foundation. Then, they sealed up all the cracks they found. After that, they attached this waterproof membrane to the outside of the foundation to act like a protective shield. And finally, they backfilled the trench they had dug.
Now, that took care of waterproofing the foundation, which was a huge relief. But we still had one more issue to tackle. We needed to make sure that water would not drain towards the building anymore. We did some research and found some solutions for that too.
Fixing the Water Drainage
We had some serious water leakage issues. It all started after heavy rainfall when the owners discovered that water was seeping into the building through the foundation. Turns out, the rear of the property was a hill that directed all the water towards the building. And to make matters worse, the walkway along the building was sloping towards it instead of away from it.
Now, this problem has gone unnoticed for quite some time because, during normal rainfalls, there was not any noticeable water entering the building. But once the heavy rain hit, it became very apparent that something needed to be done.
The solution they produced was not just about fixing the problem, but also adding more function and aesthetics to the restaurant. They hired a stone mason to cut into the hill and construct a beautiful stone and mortar retaining wall. This not only solved the drainage issue but also added a touch of decoration to the area.
But that’s not all! By removing part of the hill, they were able to create a patio for the restaurant. The mason laid down a stunning brick patio, which is now used for outdoor seating. This provided a great benefit to their customers and the extra seating meant more dining revenue for the restaurant.
In addition, the walkway was dug up and replaced with a brand new brick walkway that was sloped properly to drain water away from the building. The mason did an exceptional job ensuring that there was proper water drainage, while also making it look attractive.
Overall, these measures not only solved the problem of water leakage but also added more functionality and aesthetic appeal to the restaurant’s outdoor area. The stone retaining wall and brick patio now provide a beautiful backdrop for diners enjoying their meals outside. The properly sloped walkway ensures that water doesn’t accumulate near the building, preventing any future water damage.
With the waterproofing measures taken, we are optimistic that the restaurant’s foundation will remain dry during heavy rainfall. We are confident in the effectiveness of the work done.