Is your floor uneven, your doors and windows don’t close properly or do you have water infiltration? Your home may have foundation problems.
This is a fairly common concern in the Montreal area, especially because of the quality of the soil. Once detected, foundation problems must be addressed so as not to further damage the structure of your home.
Here are some tips to prevent foundation problems if you live in the Montreal area.
Fragility of foundations: a widespread problem in Montreal
Homeowners or future buyers, be careful, foundation problems affect a lot of homes in the Montreal area, and for good reason.
The quality of the soil at issue
Foundation defects are a widespread problem in the St. Lawrence Valley, due to the presence of clay deposits in the soil left at the end of the Ice Age after the Champlain Sea dried up. While this clay soil is favourable to agriculture, it promotes foundation problems, especially in summer during major droughts.
Defects in old buildings
Another problem, due to the design of the dwellings, affects many residences built in the 1920s. Indeed, many residences in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Rosemont and Verdun neighbourhoods are seeing their foundations disintegrate. The problem was the building materials used at the time. The mixture of lime and stone added to the concrete ages very poorly and the defects require major repair work.
Solutions to Foundation Problems
To avoid problems related to the poor health of your foundations, it is better to anticipate, because if you wait, it may further damage the structure of your home.
Detecting Foundation Problems
Many factors can alarm you about possible foundation problems. The appearance of cracks or cracks in the walls should tell you that there is a deformation of the floor. If you notice that your doors and windows are having trouble closing or that your roof and floor are deforming, this can also serve as an indicator. Also, if you suffer from water infiltration, it can potentially reveal foundation problems and subsequently lead to waterproofing problems.
If you’re unsure, hire an expert to inspect your foundation fairly quickly. A problem caught in time can cost you a few hundred dollars while if you wait, the cost of repairs can reach several thousand dollars.
Foundation Problems: Methods to Solve Them
Foundation problems are not irremediable, there are many solutions to repair them.
To get your house back on its feet, you will need to install piles. However, this requires significant work, as the foundation will have to be excavated.
If you have cracks on your foundation, you can use injections from the inside of your home to prevent infiltration. A fast, efficient process that can be carried out at any time. You can also waterproof your foundation. This consists of creating a watertight barrier between the wall and the floor with a water-repellent membrane.
When you build your house, remember to inspect the installation of the French drain on your foundation to preserve it from moisture.
These durable solutions will protect your home from moisture, a factor that can very quickly cause the deterioration of your home.
Foundation problems should not be taken lightly. The biggest risk is moisture infiltration throughout the structure, which can seriously damage your home. If you wait too long, the cost of repairs can skyrocket, which is why you need to call in an expert as soon as possible. Prevention is better than cure!
Contact Fissure Expert or request a quote for any inspection request or to waterproof 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 Longueuil, Chicoutimi, Sherbrooke and several other cities.