Spring is just around the corner – that should be a positive thought! The daylight get longer, the temperature gets warmer, beautiful flowers begin to bloom…what’s not to love? Unfortunately, if you are a homeowner you need to think about snow melt. If you have bad drainage or crack in your home’s foundation, snow melt is a disaster waiting to happen. Add soil expansion/contraction to the mix, and you could be greeted with a long list of household problems this spring. Considering we just the record single day snowfall in Ottawa, snow melt is a concern this year now more than ever.
The solution to this problem is to keep an eye out for warning signs and take care of them right away. The quick change in temperatures with the arrival of spring causes the snow to melt. As if moisture wasn’t a big enough problem already, heavy spring rains only add to the issue. Excess moisture needs to find a place to go, and if you didn’t take preventative measures beforehand, water will find its way into your basement.
Hydrostatic pressure is another concern. Excess moisture in the soil will press against your home’s foundation. If there are any cracks, it is simply physics that the water will seep in to find relief from the pressure.
Next, poor grading on your property could be a major problem in the spring. Melting snow and ice, combined with spring rain, will naturally drain in the direction of the slope on your property. If for any reason the slope directs toward your foundation instead of away from it, then you’re in trouble.
And unfortunately, this isn’t even the worst of it. If the problem goes unnoticed or untreated, hazardous mould will begin to grow in your basement. Mould can cause many health issues, including coughing, sneezing, and even severe consequences like memory loss.
Fortunately, this disaster scenario can be averted with a little care and attention. Here are some warning signs to keep an eye on if you are concerned about foundation problems:
Outside the house:
Inside the house:
Since there is a solution for every problem, you need not fret. There are experts and professional contractors that offer a range of repair services. Minor leaks and cracks can be handled by yourself but it the damage is extensive, then you will need an expert to better diagnose the problem and advise what is the way to approach the problem. There can be more than one way to address one problem and at different prices. If you want permanent foundation repair and basement waterproofing, give City Residential Foundation Repair a call!
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