What is the main cause of foundation problems?

There are actually several causes of foundation problems. These include wet dirt and soil around your foundation, failing weeping tile systems, trees planted too close to your house, settlement issues, improper work completed at the time of build, and other contractors not doing their jobs properly.

What are the signs of a bad foundation?

Signs of a bad foundation can include cracks, water in your basement, and carpets getting wet and/or having a bad smell from water entering your house. Discoloured baseboards and/or soft drywall are also signs of foundation problems.

How long does it take to repair foundations?

Every job is different but most foundation leaks take from one day to a few weeks to repair. However, some homeowners neglect their foundation repair issues and wait longer to fix them, causing more costly repair jobs that also take longer to fix. Be good to your home, and it’ll be good to you!

When should I be worried about foundation cracks?

Immediately. Every crack should be addressed and sealed from the exterior before the water enters the house. Some approaches do not focus on this, so be sure to choose a contractor with experience, such as us, who offers it.

Can you sell a house with foundation issues?

You can sell your house with foundation issues, but you are obligated to disclose all issues and prevent water from entering your home. We would suggest you take care of your foundation issues before selling; it’s not only good business but also peace of mind in that you left your home in good condition for the new owners.

What happens if you don’t fix foundation issues?

If you don't fix your foundation issues, problems will intensify and cost you more money down the road. If you notice a foundation issue, don’t wait. Be sure to call a professional to address it.

5 Creative Ways to Use Your Finished Basement

Are you looking to add more versatility to your home? A common practice is to turn unfinished spaces into useful rooms. For example, many people will convert their attic space into an office room or spare bedroom. Along with the attic, another popular space to remodel is the basement. So, what can you do with a finished basement? Below we provide a quick guide to five creative ways to use your finished basement.

Home Theatre

Love going to the movies? Why not bring this experience home? With a large flat screen television or projector along a wall, you can turn your basement into the ultimate viewing experience. Home theatres can be as simple or as complex as you want. You can add special seating, work on creating an awesome setup for playing movies, and spend great times with friends in the basement. A popular addition to the home theatre is a small bar as well.

Wine Cellar

Enjoy wine? Why not create your very own space for storing your wine in a finished basement? Finishing a basement creates a temperature controlled part of the home that is out of the way and simply perfect for storing beverages. Requiring the least amount of work in renovation, you can make your wine cellar the envy of your friends. It’s the perfect place to store that bottle of Dom Perignon until the next big special occasion.

Band Practice Space

Love playing an instrument? Want your very own space to rock out alone or with friends? Finishing a basement is a great excuse to soundproof the space. A band practice space does not require that much renovation work and can go a long way to making your house feel like a home. You’ll appreciate it when your teen decides to pick up the drums and channel his inner John Bonham!

Income Suite

Becoming increasingly popular, income suites are all the rage. An income suite is a part of your home that you rent out. As some basements are self-contained, they can be turned into a suite where someone can live. Be aware that creating an income suite is not as simple as slapping up a few walls and calling it a day. Secondary dwellings must meet all local zoning bylaws and fire regulations with safe egress, sound attenuation, adequate natural light, and so on.

Rec Room

A popular staple is to turn your basement into a fully furnished rec room. Doing so will give your kids a place to play and be messy that is out of the way. Rec rooms can be a fun way to give your kids their very own space in the house, allowing them to do what they love without causing a disturbance.

Before you finalize any basement plan, be aware that you will need to make sure the basement is waterproof first. The last thing you want to do is to spend a pretty penny renovating your basement only to suffer water damage come spring. City Residential Foundation Repair is a leading basement waterproofing company in Ottawa – get in touch to request an appointment!

Sump Pump Installation 101

Do you experience regular flooding or live in an area where the water level is above the property’s foundation? Then you need a sump pump in your basement. What’s a sump pump? It’s a pumping system that removes water that gathers around the foundation of your home and pushes it back away from it. It …

5 Steps to Follow When Searching for Mould

Have you been noticing a damp, musty type of smell lingering in your home lately? This could be a sign of mould. Mould usually thrives in places where moisture is present and where there isn’t a lot of airflow. But beyond the unappealing odour, it can also impact the health of you and your family. …

Basement Just Flooded? Do These Things

It’s that time of year again — flood season. With all the rain that’s expected during the summertime, it’s not uncommon for people to experience floods. But do you know what to do when you find an unexpected pool of water in your basement? Here are 10 steps you need to take whenever you discover …

5 steps to follow when searching for mould

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