Terry Kobatskyi
Terry is a reliable project manager with over 15 years in construction field, who has started his career of working in the trenches. More About Terry
- Last updated: May 28, 2026
Key Takeaways:
The difference between a basement that stays dry for decades and one that leaks again in two years almost always comes down to one thing: the materials used. At Aquatech Waterproofing, we’ve been protecting Toronto and GTA homes since 1996, and every product we use is chosen because it performs under the actual conditions your foundation faces — hydrostatic pressure, freeze-thaw cycles, clay-heavy soil, and the increasingly severe rainstorms that have made basement flooding one of the most common (and costly) problems Ontario homeowners face today.
This guide covers the professional-grade waterproofing products we rely on, what each one does, and why the combination matters more than any single product alone.
The Professional Waterproofing Products Aquatech Uses
1. Aqua-Bloc 770-06 — Elastomeric Liquid Membrane (Exterior Foundation Walls)
The Aqua-Bloc 770-06 (formerly Bakor, now manufactured by Henry) is a solvent-based, single-component elastomeric waterproofing compound and one of the most trusted below-grade membranes in Canada. It’s the product of choice for exterior waterproofing applications where the foundation wall needs a seamless, rubber-like barrier applied directly before backfill.
What makes it effective:
- Applied in a single coat, it cures by solvent evaporation to form a continuous, jointless membrane — no seams means no weak points
- Remains flexible across a wide temperature range, essential for Canadian freeze-thaw conditions
- Minimum wet film thickness of 90 mils (2.25 mm), delivering a heavy-duty barrier under hydrostatic pressure
- Bonds to concrete, stone, metal, preserved wood, and most below-grade substrates
- Resists mild acids, alkalis, salt, and calcium chloride — all common in Ontario soil and road runoff
- Can be applied to surfaces that have cured for a minimum of 14 days
Best suited for: Exterior foundation wall waterproofing on poured concrete and masonry block foundations. Typically paired with Yellow Jacket fibre mesh reinforcement over any cracks before membrane application.
2. Aqua-Bloc 720-38 HYDRO GUARD — Interior Drainage Membrane
Where the 770-06 is the primary exterior waterproofing membrane, the Aqua-Bloc 720-38 is the interior system workhorse. It’s an emulsion-based, solvent-free elastomeric membrane made from recycled plastics, designed to wrap cracked and moisture-prone concrete walls and prevent water from infiltrating your living space.
What makes it effective:
- Low-modulus elastomeric formulation stays flexible through expansion and contraction — it won’t crack or delaminate with foundation movement
- Solvent-free formula is safe for enclosed spaces and environmentally responsible
- Excellent adhesion to concrete, stone, wood, preserved wood, metal, and ICF (insulated concrete forms)
- Can be applied to damp or freshly poured concrete — important on walls that are already showing moisture
- Suitable for poured walls, block foundations, ICF foundations, footings, split-slab floors, and retaining walls
- Complies with CAN/CGSB-37.3 standard for Canadian residential construction
Best suited for: Interior waterproofing applications, particularly on block foundations and ICF walls where the 770-06 solvent formulation isn’t ideal.
3. DMX Drain 5M — Soil-Side Drainage Membrane
Waterproofing membranes stop water from penetrating your wall — but they work best when hydrostatic pressure is relieved before it builds. The DMX Drain 5M does exactly that: it’s a composite drainage membrane that gives water a clear, controlled path downward toward your weeping tile system rather than forcing it against your foundation wall.
What makes it effective:
- Constructed from high-density polyethylene dimple board laminated with a geotextile filter fabric on the soil side
- The dimpled profile creates an air gap and drainage channel between the soil and your foundation wall, reducing direct hydrostatic pressure
- The geotextile layer prevents soil particles from clogging the drainage channels while allowing water to pass freely
- CCMC certified (#13182-R) — meets Canadian construction standards
- Life expectancy of 50+ years when correctly installed
- Handles both above-grade (insulation gap) and below-grade (soil-side drainage) applications
Best suited for: Exterior waterproofing systems as a drainage protection board installed over the waterproofing membrane before backfill. Also used on interior walls above the footing in finished basement applications.
4. DELTA-MS Below-Grade Dimpled Membrane — Foundation Protection Layer
The DELTA-MS is a high-density polyethylene dimple mat used as a protection and drainage board on the exterior of foundation walls. While it serves a similar drainage function to the DMX system, DELTA-MS is specifically engineered for foundation protection against backfill damage, and it adds an insulating air layer that helps manage moisture vapour and temperature differentials.
What makes it effective:
- 8 mm stud height creates a continuous air gap and drainage channel against the foundation
- Protects the waterproofing membrane from damage during backfill and soil settlement
- Reduces thermal bridging at the foundation wall, helping manage interior condensation
- HDPE construction is inert, UV-stable (for the above-grade portion), and resistant to the chemical environment of soil contact
- Can be used as an interior wall drainage system in wet basement repair applications, channelling wall seepage down to a drainage trench
Best suited for: Exterior foundation wall protection layer; also used in interior drainage applications along basement walls before finishing.
5. Platon Foundation Wrap — Block Foundation Specialist
For older homes with block (concrete masonry unit) foundations — very common in Toronto neighbourhoods built between the 1940s and 1970s — the Platon Foundation Wrap is one of the most effective tools available. Block foundations are particularly vulnerable to water infiltration because mortar joints and hollow cores provide numerous pathways for moisture.
What makes it effective:
- Heavy-duty polyethylene sheet with a studded surface that creates a drainage plane between the block wall and the membrane
- Mechanically fastened at the top of the wall and draped down to the footing, directing any water that migrates through the block safely down to the weeping tile
- Doesn’t rely on adhesion to the wall surface — critical because wet or deteriorating block walls often won’t reliably bond to applied membranes
- Highly durable; the polyethylene is chemically inert in soil contact
- Can manage active seepage through block wall joints without requiring complete excavation
Best suited for: Interior and exterior application on CMU (block) foundations; ideal for homes where full exterior excavation isn’t practical or budget-appropriate.
6. Bakor Yellow Jacket 990-06 Fibre Mesh — Crack Reinforcement System
No waterproofing membrane performs as designed if the substrate underneath has active cracks that aren’t properly bridged. The Bakor Yellow Jacket 990-06 is a 6-inch wide, woven glass fibre reinforcing mesh used in conjunction with elastomeric membranes to span cracks and prevent membrane failure at vulnerable points.
What makes it effective:
- High tensile strength fibreglass weave maintains stable thickness across cracks up to 1/8″ wide
- Embeds directly into the wet membrane (typically Aqua-Bloc 770-06) to create a reinforced bridge over the crack
- Prevents the membrane from thinning over the crack during application, ensuring minimum thickness is maintained even at the most vulnerable point
- Resists deterioration from soil acids, alkalis, and moisture — it won’t break down over time underground
- Pairs with epoxy crack injection for cracks wider than 1/8″ that require structural repair before waterproofing
Best suited for: All exterior waterproofing applications over existing foundation cracks. Used routinely on jobs involving foundation crack repair alongside the primary membrane system.
7. 4″ Corrugated Drain Pipe with Filter Sock — Weeping Tile System
No waterproofing system is complete without a functioning drainage outlet. The 4-inch corrugated drain pipe with geotextile filter sock is the standard weeping tile used in both interior and exterior drainage systems to collect and carry water away from your foundation.
What makes it effective:
- Perforated pipe allows groundwater to enter from the surrounding soil or drainage membrane
- Geotextile filter sock prevents silt, clay particles, and fine soil from entering and clogging the pipe over time — a common cause of weeping tile failure in older systems
- 4-inch diameter handles high water volumes during heavy rain events and spring melt
- Flexible corrugated design adapts to ground movement without cracking
- Rated for 50+ years of service life when installed with proper bedding (typically clear stone) and the filter sock maintained
Best suited for: Interior drainage systems installed at the footing level (replacing failed original weeping tile); exterior drainage systems as part of full excavation waterproofing. Aquatech uses filter-sock wrapped pipe on every new drainage installation.
8. Triple Guard Sump Pump System with Battery Backup
Every drainage system needs somewhere to send the water it collects. The Triple Guard sump pump is the discharge system that makes your entire waterproofing investment work when it matters most — during the storms and power outages that coincide with the highest water tables.
What makes it effective:
- Primary pump handles high-volume water discharge during peak storm events
- Third-level battery backup ensures continuous operation during power outages — the exact scenario where you need it most
- Automatic float switch activates the pump immediately when water reaches a set level; no manual intervention needed
- Water-powered backup (available in some configurations) operates without a battery, using municipal water pressure as a failsafe
- Alarm system alerts you if the backup activates, so you know to check on conditions
This is particularly important for Ontario homeowners in the context of the municipal rebate programs that offer up to 80% reimbursement on sump pump and battery backup installation costs through the City of Toronto’s BFPSP and similar programs.
Best suited for: All interior waterproofing systems; any home with a weeping tile drainage system; homes with a history of flooding or power outages during storms.
9. Window Well Covers — Overlooked But Important
Window wells are one of the most common sources of basement water entry that homeowners overlook when thinking about waterproofing. During heavy rain, poorly designed or uncovered window wells can fill with water rapidly, forcing it through window frames and into your basement.
What makes them effective:
- Clear polycarbonate covers allow natural light to pass through unobstructed while physically blocking rain, snow, and debris
- Lightweight but strong — resistant to impact and UV degradation
- Easily removable from inside or outside in an emergency egress situation
- Custom-sized options available for non-standard well dimensions
- Significantly reduces the load on interior drainage systems by eliminating window well infiltration as a water source
Best suited for: Any home with below-grade window wells. Particularly effective when paired with window well installation or realignment work to ensure positive drainage away from the window frame.
6. Triple Guard Sump Pump
The Triple Guard Sump Pump is highly reliable, featuring a third backup battery to ensure continuous operation even in power outages. Designed to handle high volumes of water, it’s especially effective in areas prone to heavy rainfall or frequent water intrusion. This pump also includes an automatic start feature, so it activates immediately when water levels rise, giving you peace of mind during storms.
Professional Installation vs. DIY: What the Products Don't Tell You
Many of the products above are technically available to homeowners. What’s not available at a hardware store is the expertise to diagnose the actual source of water infiltration, select the right combination of products, and install them correctly.
Common DIY mistakes include:
- Applying interior sealants to walls that have active hydrostatic pressure (the water simply pushes through from behind)
- Installing drainage pipe without the filter sock (it clogs within a few years)
- Skipping crack reinforcement under the membrane (creates a guaranteed failure point)
- Selecting a sump pump undersized for the actual water volume during peak events
Â
The materials themselves are only as good as the diagnosis and installation behind them. That’s why Aquatech has maintained a lifetime warranty on every waterproofing job since 1996 — because we control both the product selection and the installation quality.
FAQs About Basement Waterproofing
For exterior foundation walls, the Aqua-Bloc 770-06 elastomeric membrane is the professional standard in Canada — it handles freeze-thaw cycles, bonds to multiple substrates, and forms a seamless rubber-like barrier. For interior applications on block foundations, the Aqua-Bloc 720-38 or Platon Foundation Wrap are the preferred choices depending on wall condition and moisture source.
When professionally installed, the core components of a waterproofing system are designed to last the lifetime of your home. The DMX Drain 5M and corrugated drain pipe with filter sock are rated for 50+ years. Elastomeric membranes like the Aqua-Bloc systems are designed for permanent below-grade service. Sump pump motors should be inspected annually and typically replaced every 7–10 years; battery backups every 3–5 years.
Â
Some products are available to homeowners, but professional-grade waterproofing is one area where DIY rarely delivers lasting results. The products work as a system — applying a membrane to a wall with active hydrostatic pressure without also addressing drainage will result in failure. The correct diagnosis of the water source is itself a skill that takes years to develop. Aquatech offers free consultations so you can at least understand what your basement actually needs before making any investment.
Both matter equally. A top-tier product poorly installed will fail, and a skilled installer using inferior materials will produce short-lived results. Aquatech uses professional-grade products specifically because their performance specifications match what Canadian foundations actually face — not because they’re cheaper or more readily available.
Damp proofing products (typically bituminous coatings or basic paint-on sealers) resist moisture vapour transmission but are not rated to resist liquid water under pressure. Waterproofing products — like the elastomeric membranes covered here — are specifically engineered to resist hydrostatic pressure, meaning they work even when water is actively pushing against your foundation. Most Ontario homes need waterproofing, not just damp proofing.
Professional waterproofing using the right materials and proper installation is designed to be a permanent solution. Aquatech backs every job with a lifetime warranty for exactly this reason. However, maintaining your sump pump, keeping window wells clear, and ensuring downspouts discharge water away from your foundation are ongoing homeowner responsibilities that preserve the system’s effectiveness over time.
Often yes. Pre-1980s homes in Toronto frequently have block foundations, original weeping tile that has failed or never existed, and older concrete that is more porous. These conditions require products like the Platon Foundation Wrap and corrugated drain pipe replacement that address the specific vulnerabilities of older construction. Newer ICF or poured concrete foundations typically use Aqua-Bloc 720-38 and DELTA-MS drainage board. Aquatech’s assessment process accounts for your specific foundation age and type before recommending products.
Ready to Find Out What Your Basement Actually Needs?
The right product is only the beginning. Knowing which combination of products addresses your specific water intrusion problem — and installing them correctly the first time — is what separates a dry basement from a recurring nightmare.
Since 1996, Aquatech has used professional-grade waterproofing materials on more than 50,000 Ontario homes. Our licensed technicians will inspect your basement, identify the source of moisture, and recommend only what your home actually needs — with a lifetime warranty on all waterproofing work.
Book your free basement inspection today. No pressure, no obligation — just honest advice.
📞 416-300-2191 Or visit our contact page to request a consultation at a time that works for you.
