Basement Foundation Warning Signs in Southern Ontario

Ask any builder. A well-built house begins with a good foundation. If it's not level or square, construction will be plagued with problems all the way to the roof. But even if the foundation starts out right, it doesn't necessarily mean that problems won't arise with time. We've listed some sure signs of a problem foundation below.

Foundation cracks

Vertical and diagonal cracks may be due to uneven foundation settling, or to concrete that shrank during the curing process. Cracks should be repaired to prevent water leaks and the cause of the settlement should be evaluated. We can help you by installing wall anchors.

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Bowed foundation walls

Bowed foundation walls and horizontal cracks may be due to pressure that builds in the soil outside foundation walls. Excessive moisture causes soil, especially clay soils, to expand and push against the wall or slab. Drying causes it to contract. Temperature changes, especially when soil freezes and thaws also cause soil movement. Remedies include exterior drainage systems, wall reinforcement and wall anchors, along with structural and non-structural crack repair. Our experts can help you decide which combination of techniques is right for your home.

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Cracks in slabs

Whether due to poor underlying soil compaction, concrete shrinkage or soil expansion and contraction, cracks in slabs should be addressed. They provide entry points for water and radon and can pose tripping hazards as well.

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Cracks on home exterior and interior

Cracks may signal foundation movement. They may also be caused by rot that has compromised the framing that underpins the house (joists, beams, posts, and sills). Outside the house, look for cracks in foundation walls and exterior masonry veneers. Inside an affected home, ceiling moldings may have separated and spaces may have opened between walls and ceilings. Cracked drywall at the top corners of windows and doors can be another symptom of a settled foundation. If you see such cracks, there's a good chance that windows and door may be difficult to open and close.

Do's		Don'ts
Always get sound professional advice - ask the company giving advice what they specialize in before you tell them you have a basement or foundation problem. If they don't say "basements" in their first response, consider finding another company.		Do not rely on the advice of any individual or company that is not a true dedicated basement or foundation specialist.
Check the framing under your house for rot. Sills, joists and beams that are collapsing due to dry rot may be the cause of interior and exterior wall cracks. The good news is that rot costs less money that a sinking foundation to repair.		Do not rely on caulk to fill foundation wall cracks.
Choose a self-draining, efficient dehumidifier that's powerful enough to control basement humidity.		Do not opt for piers that rely solely on friction for support.
Wherever possible include perimeter drainage systems and sump pumps to alleviate basement or crawl space water pressure as part of your solution.		Do not rely on mudjacking to raise structural elements, such as footings. Learn about various types of steel piers, including helical and push piers, and how they can be used to solve sinking foundations. If you have bowed or leaning foundation walls, find out about different anchors used for foundation repair.
Choose the systems you need based on technical merits and your performance criteria.		Do not wait to repair a foundation that is showing signs of settling. Otherwise, you will spend many years making cosmetic repairs--over and over again. In extreme cases, waiting too long results in basement wall collapse.

If you have any of the problems listed and would like more information, please contact Omni Basement Systems for foundation repair in Burlington or the surrounding areas. We service Hamilton, Oakville, Kitchener, St Catharines, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford, Niagara Falls, Milton, Waterloo, Welland, Stoney Creek, Georgetown, Dundas, Grimsby, Ancaster, and the surrounding areas in Ontario for foundation repair.

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