How to Ensure a Leak-Free Basement This Winter

Home flooding

Winter is coming to Ottawa, and it’s going to hit hard. Any homeowner who has ever had to deal with a broken furnace, frozen pipes, or other winter problems knows how alert you need to be from December to March. One of the most commonly and dreaded problems faced post-winter is a leaky basement. Once the snow starts to melt and find its way into every little nook and cranky in your basement, you can end up with a very serious problem on your hands. Is there anything you can do this winter to prevent leaks in the spring?

Of course there is a solution and in this case there are many things you can do to prevent leaks once winter is over. A little work put in now will make all the difference in the end. If you don’t have the time or you’re not particularly handy, don’t hesitate to call the basement waterproofing pros at City Residential Foundation Repair to tackle the issue.

Have You Unclogged Your Gutters?

The gutters on your property can get clogged up due to all the leaves, twigs, and other debris that falls in and gets stuck. Once there is a clog, water will leak down around your house’s foundation and cause real trouble.

Have You Inspected Your Window Wells?

The exterior of the house is always vulnerable to the worst weather conditions. Windows and window wells around the basement are another major reason for leakages. Before winter is upon us, be sure to check if the windows are in good shape and that there aren’t any holes or cracks. Also check whether or not the window well drains are free of clogs.

Have You Checked the Slope?

The grounds surrounding your house should be sloping downwards so that water flows away from your home. If it is sloping towards your house, then you are looking at severe foundation damage. Some landscaping work should do the trick, or call in the basement waterproofing pros to make sure it’s perfect.

Have You Checked Your Sump Pump?

If you have a sump pump in your basement, then make sure it is functioning effectively. Also ensure the backup power (if you have any) is working effectively. Otherwise, you have a functioning sump pump sitting idle, not doing its job when the power goes out.

Have You Inspected Your Basement?

Before the winter comes, inspect your basement for any leakages or water spots there might be. If there is any sign of damage (either old or new), you know you have a problem and need to address it ASAP before it gets worse.

Have You Fixed Your Downspouts?

Make sure your downspouts are in good condition and the water going down in at least six inches away from the foundation of the house. Buying new downspouts is always cheaper than fixing a foundation, so it’s a worthy investment.

Nonetheless, make sure you do these things and it is always wise to get a professional to inspect the house before the weather gets too cold. Have a safe and happy winter!

 

 

Sump Pump Installation 101

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

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

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 …

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