Foundation Repair Hamilton & Burlington

The purpose of a foundation is to hold the rest of the house up, which means it needs to be kept bone dry. If your foundation has become degraded over the years, it won’t going to be able to support the structure effectively and may even lead to significant property damage. Foundation repair can sometimes be difficult, which is precisely why issues with your foundation should be addressed as soon as they arise.

Types of foundations

In Canada, foundation walls are primarily made up of either block foundations, slab foundations, or stone rubble foundations. Each of these foundations have their own benefits and downfalls, however, when they begin to let water into a basement they become a problem. If this occurs, it is crucial to stop the flow of excess water as soon as possible, to avoid further damage and more extensive foundation repairs.

Stone rubble foundation

Stone rubble foundations were the preferred foundation style in the past. It is no longer used, having been replaced by more modern slab foundations. However, stone rubble foundations have proven to be a very strong way to build a long lasting structure. Stone rubble wall foundations very commonly let water into a basement, primarily due to their age. The age of the foundation allows for more time for mortar joints to degrade, progressively letting more water in. In some cases, the house would have been built without proper water drainage systems around the perimeter, which can all be addressed during the foundation repair.

The best solution for homes with stone rubble foundations is external waterproofing, as this allows for the foundation repair technicians to find out more about the structure while they are repairing it. An external repair allows an investigation to determine the shape of the foundation outside, determining if there are more cracks or points of water entry than previously thought. Another benefit of exterior waterproofing during foundation repair is to monitor the overall mortar deterioration underground and fix problem areas. This technique also allows technicians to determine if there is an adequate weeping tile system to channel water away from the foundation wall.

Concrete Block Foundation

Concrete block or cinder block foundations are concrete blocks stacked in an offset pattern with mortar between each block. There are a few ways these foundations can begin to let water in. The first is a crack in a mortar joint, which can vary in severity, sometimes being a small hairline crack and other times a substantial step crack. The second is the deterioration of block or mortar. This is generally a more substantial hole and can let larger volumes of water to pass through.

Once the water has been given a point of entry, it begins by running down the inside of the hollow blocks. This then causes the bottom section of block to fill with water until it finds its way into the basement living space.

When a concrete block foundation begins to leak it can be waterproofed from the inside or outside, depending on the severity. Foundation repairs are essential in maintaining the integrity of your home in combination with exterior and interior waterproofing.

Slab Foundation

A slab foundation, otherwise known as a poured foundation, is the most popular type of foundation on newly built houses. Unlike block foundations, a slab foundation is not hollow. Foundation repairs are needed on this style of foundation when a crack forms, allowing water to leak into the home.

In some cases, the crack can be quite prominent and very easy to recognize both inside and out. Other times, cracks can be more insidious and hidden, making them harder to identify. In the case of blatant cracks, slab foundations are excellent candidates for foundation repair. Waterproofing professionals can ensure the crack is fixed and sealed completely, preventing any more water damage from occurring.

Other solutions for multiple cracks are sectional foundation repairs, where the waterproofing takes place over a predetermined distance to flank all cracks on both sides. This type of repair can be inside or outside.

If you are looking for the most trusted waterproofing professionals in Hamilton & Burlington, look no further than Remove & Restore. We make customer satisfaction our top priority, and ensure our work is completely on time and on budget. Contact us today and see what we can do for you.