In Quebec, it is common to deal with clay soils, particularly in the St. Lawrence Valley, the Ottawa Valley or the Saguenay region. Suffice to say that the presence of this type of soil can make the construction of a home particularly delicate. That’s why it’s important to take precautions to avoid heavy damage to structures and foundations.
Find out everything you need to know about clay soils in Quebec and the effects on foundations, as well as the precautions to take to limit the risks and the solutions found in the event of damage.
Clay Soils and Foundation Movement in Quebec
Clay soils are compressible, i.e. they settle according to the load applied. The moisture content of this type of soil is also much higher than in any other type of soil. It is therefore highly subject to climatic variations, such as drought or heavy rainfall.
As a result, the foundations can undergo frequent movement. Swelling or shrinkage of soils can, in the long term, weaken the soiling. Most often, there will be the appearance of cracks in the foundations, more or less important, shears on the exterior cladding and deformations in structural elements, such as beams. In the most serious cases, i.e. in the event that the foundation is not suitable, the entire structure could be weakened.
What precautions should you take before building the foundation of your home?
In order to avoid damage that could lead you to destroy your home completely, certain precautions can be taken.
First of all, it is strongly advised not to build your house near dense vegetation that would be in high demand for water. In addition, it is important to have the nature of your building land verified, using a geological map, which will be able to tell you where the clay soils are.
Finally, Fissure Expert advises you to have your soil checked by an expert, such as a geotechnical engineer, so that he or she can assess the resistance of your soil as well as the way you can build your foundations, to limit the risks.
What are the solutions in case of foundation damage on clay soils?
Sometimes, precautions are not enough and you are already facing signs of subsidence of your home, in which case corrective work should be undertaken as soon as possible.
You will need to repair the cracks on your walls and the shears in the brick siding. Not to mention replacing the stone lintels and any damaged elements that are part of the structures, such as windows and beams.
The best thing to do is to call on professionals in this field if you are dealing with foundation damage. Do not hesitate to contact the Fissure Expert team, you will be dealing with real professionals experienced in repairing cracks in your foundations.
Need a Crack Repair Expert?
If you notice cracks on your foundation, it is important to act quickly. Fissure Expert offers professional foundation crack injection services throughout Quebec. Call a certified foundation crack contractor for a free estimate. We serve Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke and many other cities.