Victim of basement water damage? We know how difficult and painful these events can be. Once the disaster is over, the problem isn’t resolved: the damaged spaces need to be renovated. To avoid going through this again, our experts share with you permanent solutions to this recurring problem, as well as our best advice.

Porcelain: A Permanent Solution for Water Infiltration

Pierre Joly, our Operations Manager, explains: “Well-chosen and well-installed tiles are a permanent solution to the recurring issue of water infiltration, such as during floods”. We will tell you everything!

Which membranes to use?

To make your floor waterproof, choose the Schluter®-DITRA waterproofing membrane. This membrane is designed to be installed under ceramic tiles on the floor. It creates a separation layer between the tile and the substrate.

Nicolas Costard, our Sales Manager at La Tuilerie, explains: “Decoupling is like placing a carpet between the floor and the tiles. This special carpet allows the floor to move slightly without breaking or cracking the tiles above. It acts like a cushion that protects the tiles from floor movements, but most importantly, it protects against moisture.”

For the walls of a basement shower, using Kerdi-Board helps avoid redoing wall coverings in case of a flood (this prevents having to demolish everything).

Which mortar and grout to select?

For installation products, Nicolas Costard, an expert at La Tuilerie, recommends the following:

• Polymer-modified mortar: This type of mortar improves tile adhesion and offers increased resistance to moisture. It can be used everywhere: on floors, walls, and even in showers. It is particularly effective in areas with a high risk of water exposure.
• Epoxy grout: Unlike traditional cementitious grouts, epoxy grout is very versatile and can be applied on floors, walls, and especially in wet areas like showers. It is ultra-durable, waterproof, and doesn’t stain easily, making it ideal for areas prone to water exposure. Perfect for areas where the risk of flooding is high, as it prevents water from seeping between tiles.

Vinyl: An Ideal Option for DIY Installation (and More!)

If you need to redo your basement yourself due to water infiltration, vinyl is a good option:
✔️ Affordable with a good quality-price ratio. At La Tuilerie, our vinyl starts at $2.79 / sq.ft.
✔️ Quick to install. Thanks to the “click” installation system, vinyl planks are particularly easy to use (all details in our article).
✔️ Durable. Vinyl can last between 10 and 20 years under certain conditions (all details in our article).

To learn more about vinyl, read the 10 advantages of this popular flooring.

Installing a floating vinyl floor is a breeze! Vinyl comes in planks or tiles. No glue, no nails. Just snap the planks together. It’s very simple and easy. Learn how to install vinyl by reading our article.

Additionally, Pierre Joly, an expert at La Tuilerie, shares: “Vinyl is so water-resistant that it can be uninstalled, dried, and reinstalled! Plus, we have a large selection of vinyl in stock.”

Hydrasafe Laminates: Water-Resistant Floors, Perfect for Basement Water Damage

Maxime Leblanc, our Wood & Vinyl Flooring Manager, also recommends two Hydrasafe laminate floors – water-resistant collections:

• Hydrasafe Celtic
• Floorpan Peking
  

What’s worse than having water in the basement when it rains? Not much. Fortunately, porcelain, vinyl, and Hydrasafe laminate floors are durable options that can help you avoid going through these painful experiences again. It doesn’t fully address all the damage (wet baseboards, foundation cracks), but it does give you peace of mind. Please know that our teams are here to support you if you need help and assistance. Ask our in-store experts for advice.