Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Cracks

Foundation cracks

I notice some cracks throughout my home. Do I need to fix them?

Yes. Anytime you notice cracks in your foundation, you shouldn’t ignore them. If you do, this could lead to more severe damage in the future. Moisture can seep into those cracks and weaken your foundation, cause mould or unpleasant odours to occur.

What is causing my foundation to crack?

Cracks can be quite common, especially with concrete. There are a number of factors that could be the cause of cracks. Some of these include weight or pressure from the ground, freezing or thawing of the ground, or even the shrinkage and expansion of the cement.

Why are the cracks leaking?

Sometimes, water from the outside soil surrounding the foundation, particularly in basements, can seep into the walls cause cracks to leak. This can exacerbate with excess rain or thawing of snow.

Does a crack that isn’t leaking need repair?

Since cracks can grow over time due to various conditions, such as weather or shifting soil, it is recommended that you have any crack dealt with and assessed by a professional to avoid any potential damage to your foundation over time. It’s also a good keep an eye on them by measuring them every so often to make sure they aren’t expanding.

How can I tell if a crack needs structural repair?

Cracks that are often commonplace with cement tend to always be vertical. But when you start to notice a crack that is horizontal, you could have a bigger issue. If you notice horizontal cracks that are 1/2” or greater, and seem to appear wider at the top than the bottom, this is a sign of potential structural damage that needs repair.

What is foundation waterproofing?

Waterproofing your foundation entails properly fixing any areas that may be weakened. The most effective way to waterproof a foundation is with exterior solutions like installing a draining system or wrapping the foundation with a waterproof membrane. A combination of these steps can help prevent damage from flooding and ensure the structural integrity of your home has a line of defense against the elements.

Do I need to hire a professional to deal with this?

If you are starting to notice large, horizontal cracks, or ones that are leaking, your best option is to hire someone to assess and deal with the repair. If you attempt to do it on your own, you could be simply masking over a deeper issue, which can cause more potential damage over time.

Get in touch with City Residential Foundation Repair to request an appointment or learn more about our residential foundation waterproofing services.

2 thoughts on “Frequently Asked Questions About Foundation Cracks

    1. It’s always better to repair from the outside. If you have any questions about your situation please give us a call and ask for Chuck.

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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