Services

Foundations

Problem Signs:

Water leakage due to foundation problems can destroy personal property, depreciate your home's property value and be a health hazard. Here is a list of signs of potential foundation damage:

  • Mold, fungus and/or mildew
    Fungus grows in damp, dark areas, causes discoloration, musty smells and odors
  • Musty odors
    This is the result of the decay process from mold, mildew, fungus and dry rot.
  • Damp spots on walls
    This is a sign that water has been absorbed through the wall.
  • White chalky substance on walls
    This is know as efflorescence and is a chemical breakdown of the bonding agent that holds your walls together.
  • Cracked walls
    This is a sign that the foundation has moved or shifted.
  • Peeling paint
    Sign that the wall has taken moisture inside, as paint will not stick to a wet surface.
  • Rust on appliances or furniture
    Rust on the bottoms of furnaces, water heaters, and other metal appliances is a sign of dampness and water evaporation.
  • Dry rot
    This dark brown/black fungus grows on walls and other surfaces, mostly on wooden surfaces causing wood to decay.
  • Water seepage
  • Warped paneling
    Moisture will cause paneling to bow and discolour, commonly at the bottom of the paneling.
  • Cracked masonry or masonry joints
    This is a sign that the foundation has moved or shifted.
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How Serious Is Basement Flooding? 

Basement flooding is now being recognized as a potentially serious problem. There are many negative consequences associated with basement flooding, above and beyond the inconvenient mess and disruption of household routine. Recent research cites the following impacts:

  • Chronically wet houses are linked to an increase in respiratory problems.
  • Frequent occurrences of basement flooding can result in long-term damage to the building and equipment that may not be covered by insurance.
  • Insurance rates may rise to compensate for repeated basement flooding claims, and/or the minimum deductible may be increased significantly.
  • Property value may depreciate because the basement is prone to frequent flooding.

Before appropriate measures can be taken, it is important to identify the causes of basement flooding. These range from problems originating in the individual dwelling to problems associated with the municipal sewer systems that serve entire communities.

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Why Do Basements Flood? 

Water can enter your basement for a number of reasons. Water in your basement is most likely to occur during periods of heavy rainfall, or when snow is melting rapidly during a spring thaw. In these cases, your basement can be wet because of:

  • a leak or crack in your home’s basement walls
  • poor lot drainage
  • failure of the weeping tiles (foundation drains)
  • overflowing eavestroughs or leaking/plugged downspouts
    Basement flooding may also occur because of:
  • a blocked connection between your home and the main sewer in the street
  • a back-up of wastewater in the sewer system (or a combination of wastewater and rainwater from the sanitary or combined sewer system)
  • failure of a sump pump (in some areas) used to pump weeping tile water

Basements are also vulnerable to natural river flooding disasters, but these cannot be addressed by individual homeowners.

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Recommended Precautions To Help Eliminate Basement Flooding: 

Proper Lot Grading

Examine all areas around your foundation including walkways, patios, decks and driveways since these areas can settle over time and cause water to collect near your foundation and seep down along your basement walls.  A 20-25cm cap of clay soil slopping out for at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) around all sides of the foundation is recommended.

Sump Pumps

Install a sump pump in your basement. It will start automatically when water begins to accumulate in the sump pit, and pump it back outside your house toward the storm sewer system.

Backflow Valve

Install a backflow valve.  It allows sewage to flow out of your home but blocks it from flowing back into your basement.

Eavestrough & Downspouts

Your eavestrough should be clear of leaves and debris. Typically it should be inspected twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall.  Your downspouts extend at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) from your foundation wall to ensure that rain water is directed well away from the foundation. 

Cracks

Inspect your foundation below grade, if accessible, as well as above grade (parging area) to see if there are any hairline cracks or missing parging.  If there is, you should consider fixing those areas as soon as possible since this is a very common area of water entry.

Window Well & Drain

Ensure that there is free draining stone in the window well area along with a window well drain going down to the footing so any water that could potentially pool will drain to the footing and can be taken away by the weeping tile at the footing.

Gardens & Flowerbeds

It is not recommended to have gardens, flower beds or trees within 1.8 meters (6 feet) of the foundation wall since this could attract water entry.  This area can be covered with grass or stone.

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Benefits Of Foundation Restoration: 

Protect your biggest investment and get the benefits you deserve:

  • Restore property value
  • Prevent toxic mold, fungus and mildew
  • Prevent structural damage
  • Prevent warping and dry rot
  • Enjoy a warmer dryer basement
  • A cleaner, healthier environment
  • Increased living and recreational space
  • Peace of mind
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Why Call Ottawa Home Improvements? 

Ottawa Home Improvements owners have over 80 years of combined experience under their belts and their company policy has always been to give the customer the highest level of service and workmanship.  

Ottawa Home Improvements uses only top quality materials such as Platon - a tough, waterproof, double dimpled, high-density polyethylene plastic membrane that keeps wet soil away from the foundation wall. The dimples create an air gap between the wall and the waterproof membrane. Any water that does find its way past the membrane flows to the footing drain. As an added benefit, (if Platon is not used as protection for spray applied products) wall moisture condenses on the back of the membrane and flows to the footing drain. This dries out the wall in a way that no other technology can match. Because Platon is not adhered to the wall, the wall can crack, shift and settle over the years without affecting Platon’s remarkable performance.

Features and Benefits:

  • Easily bridges ¼” cracks
  • Double dimple design provides a smooth, low drag, solid side surface
  • Made from environmentally friendly high density polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Controls both interior and exterior moisture
  • Can be installed in all weather conditions
  • No additional protection required – excellent protection for spray applied waterproofing
  • 30 year product warranty

Applications:

  • Block walls
  • Poured Concrete walls
  • Permanent wood (PWF)
  • Insulated concrete forms
  • Existing foundations

No matter what your foundation problem is, Ottawa Home Improvements has the experience to get the job done right, on time, for a lifetime!

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