Luckily for those building a new home, it will be a thing of the past. A foundation waterproofing system applied before the home is backfilled is being used by many new home builders and proving to be just the answer to their water woes.

Delta-MS is a dimpled polyethylene membrane wrapped around the exterior of the foundation wall, which Sales Manager of Delta Membrane Systems Ltd. in Calgary, Kee Lau, says guarantees a safe separation between the basement wall and soil. “The dimple directs the water down into the weeping tile,” he explains.

The unique dimple sheet creates an air gap at the foundation wall, so if water manages to get past the membrane, it still falls freely to the footing drain.

“Wall cracks are no longer a problem because the membrane does not allow water to get to the crack,” Lau says, noting water cannot penetrate the membrane and it can also withstand hydrostatic pressure.
Since introducing Delta Membrane Systems in 1995, Lau says many builders are switching to the product because, in the long run, they are saving money by not having to repair water damages.

“Every year we wrap over 2,000 basements,” says Lau. He adds that the membrane is made with virgin polyurethane, which makes the product environmentally friendly.

“There are similar products on the market but none that are made with virgin polyurethane,” Lau says. “Other products are made with recycled material so you don't know what you’re getting and how it reacts to the chemicals in the soil.”

Even though the membrane will be outside the foundation wall and below ground level, Lau says bacteria and other chemicals in the soil cannot break down the material.

Currently one alternative to the Delta membrane system is tar sprayed onto the concrete wall. The tar does not protect the foundation from cracks, which can allow water to seep through them and into the home.

The membrane system would cost slightly more than the average price of tar, but Lau warns repairing a crack alone can easily cost upwards of $1,000.  “With this system, you don’t need to repair cracks at all.”

Homeowners can also rest easy with Delta-MS’s seven-year no-leakage warranty.

Now they can sing a different tune. “Let it rain; let it rain; let it rain.” NL