Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Cracks

Cracked foundation

Why are cracks appearing in my foundation?

 

When it comes to foundations, especially concrete, cracks are inevitable over time.

 

Some of the most common causes of foundation cracks include:

 

  • Shifting or settling of the soil surrounding your foundation
  • Pressure from the elements, due to freezing and thawing temperatures which causes the ground to shift (this is known as hydrostatic pressure)
  • As cement dries, cracks may develop
  • The weight of your home

 

Should I be worried about these cracks?

 

Small vertical cracks in concrete are very common and most likely harmless. If you ever start to notice horizontal cracks, staircase cracks, or notice that water is seeping through the crack, you could have a bigger problem on your hands.

 

Why is there water coming from these cracks?

 

If the cracks in your walls and foundation begin leaking, this is due to the moisture in the surrounding soil. Often, cracks will start to leak with more significant sources of moisture, such as rain or melting snow in the spring. There is always moisture in the soil, so leaks can happen at any time.

 

Do I have to fix foundation cracks?

 

If there are cracks throughout your walls or foundation that aren’t leaking, then you most likely have nothing to worry about, and therefore, may not need to take any action for repairing them. There is certainly no harm in calling in a foundation contractor to inspect the area and confirm.

 

However if they are leaking, ignoring them will only exacerbate the issue. Any bit of moisture that seeps through your walls or foundation can lead to a variety of problems, such as damage to your drywall, potential rotting, damage to internal structures and flooring, and of course, musty odours from mold and mildew growth. If mold develops it can be very hazardous for your health.

 

If you do have cracks and are unsure and concerned about them, call a professional Ottawa foundation repair company to come and assess the situation to give you answers and put your mind at ease.

 

Can I repair it myself or should I hire someone?

 

When it comes to the integrity of your home, you should always let a professional handle the situation. Leaky cracks in your foundation is something that a trained foundation repair professional knows how to assess, plan a course of action, and solve with expert techniques and materials. Exterior foundation waterproofing is the optimal solution.

 

Don’t mess with the foundation of your home. Sometimes it’s the little things that can have the biggest impacts. That’s why it’s imperative that you don’t ignore any signs of cracking and water retention throughout your home. Call City Residential Foundation Repair to handle your situation and put your mind at ease.

 

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Reviews

A JOB WELL DONE BY 'CITY FOUNDATION'

I would have no hesitation in recommending City Foundation. They fixed up my foundation last summer and although the old house produced a few surprises, the professionals at City Foundation got around the problems cheerfully and completed the work. From the start, Chuck kept me informed of all of my options. If I asked for something not already in the plan, he would try to accommodate me if at all possible Chuck and his colleague Don were friendly, and respectful. They showed up every day, put in a solid day's work and always left the property clean, neat and safe for us to move around. And, the price was fair with no surprises. Great guys, good job!

- Jennifer A 5/30/2015

Excellent service, friendly

We had Chuck and his team repair a crack in our cold storage room - they were punctual, neat, and friendly. The job was completed very quickly with great results. Would definitely hire them again and recommend them to friends.

- Janet M. 5/26/2015

Good job!

Chuck did a very good job. He promised to be finished by a certain date and he was good to his word. He kept me informed of his progress through pictures sent to my email account while I was at work. My backyard is nicely landscaped and there was no damage or debris left in my yard - just a new window well and no basement leaks.

- Kathryn T. 4/14/2015

Can't say enough about the workmanship of Chuck and his crew. They assessed the problem(leak in the foundation) quoted me a price, booked appointment, showed up on time and did a very professional job.The work site was cleaned up to the point it was hard to tell there had been any serious digging at the site. If I have similar problems with my foundation they will be the first people I will call!! I would not hesitate to recommend Chuck and his crew if you have foundation problems that need repair. Duncan Hardie

- Duncan H. 4/12/2015

Professsional and Polite

My experience with City Residential was very positive. I had a crack on my foundation and knew we needed it fixed. They came in and addressed the situation and did the work cleanly and professionaly. Our property was kept nice and tidy during the repairs and they worked safely during the work. Its been a few years now since the work and no issues whatsoever. I will be using them again once we decided to fix a few areas around the garage that they pointed out would need fixing someday. Very happy and positive experience.

- Chris L. 4/6/2015

Foundation Crack (back) and Drainage (front)

The foundation crack at the back was difficult to get to and difficult to dig out. The work was done well and on time. the drainage trench at the front was also done very well and on time. I hope I don't need Chuck again but if I have foundation, drainage issues, he will be my 1st call. bc

- Barry C. 3/30/2015

This is a highly professional company with reliable, honest service. Chuck, the owner, came exactly when promised, took the time to listen to my concerns, explained the problem in an easy to understand language, described in great detail how it could be fixed, and what was - and what was not - necessary. Chuck and his team's attitude and service were at all times very honest, courteous and highly professional. Although I needed to be out of town, there were no surprises or additional costs, and everything was left tidy and clean. Chuck even followed up a couple of days later to check if everything was all right and done to my satisfaction. All in all, I was very impressed with the quality of work and the services received and would highly recommend the company.

- Beate A. 3/30/2015

City Residential Foundation Repair

Chuck Naish and his team from City Residential Foundation Repair were excellent to deal with in every aspect. Their level of integrity throughout the entire process was outstanding. They were honest, respectful and their ability to explain the process and the solution options were extremely helpful to us. The scope of the project was big, however Chuck walked us through every step of the way; assessment, testing, options and repairs which resulted in a very successful outcome. In addition, Chuck and his team were able to complete the necessary repairs with minimal impact to our newly completed landscaping which included a lot of hard scape, tiered armour stone, gardens and a pool. They kept the work site impeccable over the duration of the project. We have and will continue to highly recommend Chuck Naish for his very professional and skilled foundation repair work.

- Annette and Rick B. 3/8/2015

My experience with City Residential was great. Chuck was very friendly and very easy to deal with. I especially appreciated that he was able to come by and do the estimate in the evening when I was off work. They did the work exactly as they said they would, no surprises (which in my mind is the most you can ask for). I was really surprised by how clean they left everything in the evenings and when the job was complete. They will definitley be the first people I call if I ever need more foundation work.

- Charlie A 3/2/2015

Weeping Tile system replaced

We are very please with the work that was done. It was always a pleasure to speak with the owner and explain to him what was going on. Although we found the job to be pricey, it is impossible for us to determine if it was adequate or not at it's hard to compare to others. He ran into several problems at my house while doing the job and he took it upon himself to call the City at two different occasion so they could do some testing before he could go on. Safety was very important for them so they took all the necessary precaution so that no one could get hurt or fall into the hole that were done all around the house.

- Gisele P. 1/29/2015
10 Reviews
90% Would Recommend