Foundation inspection and repair Cambridge ON
Think of a building’s foundation as little soldiers protecting a city. If any of the soldiers are brought down, this increases the risk of enemies infiltrating the city with every soldier that’s brought down. Cracks in a foundation represent the fallen soldiers, and water seeping into the basement through the foundation is the enemy bringing down the defenses and attacking the city. As you might already know or guess, water and excess moisture in the basement is a bad thing as it leads to harmful mould, structural compromise, damaged walls and much more.
The type and size of foundation crack is important and determines what type of foundation repair work needs to be done. If you spot some conspicuous cracks, do not hesitate to call our masonry contractors at Masonry Cambridge to perform an inspection and assessment of the damage. A larger and longer crack is more worrisome than a small one, which is obvious to most. But did you know that the crack’s orientation matters as well? Vertical cracks do not compromise the structural integrity of the foundation, are very common in most homes and buildings, and can be sealed with an epoxy sealer. They happen due to tension in the concrete through multiple cycles of expansion and contraction due to varying temperatures, which swing wildly throughout the seasons in Cambridge, Ontario and most of Canada. Although vertical cracks are not as dangerous, they should still be addressed in a timely manner to prevent water from finding its way into the basement. Horizontal cracks are more worrisome as they represent a change in the vertical level of foundation which can be very detrimental to the foundation’s structural integrity and resulting in extensive water seepage into the home or building through the basement. If the damage is extensive, repair solutions may involve consultation with a structural engineer and underpinning, which involves constructing new footings underneath existing ones to reinforce the foundation. |
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At Masonry Cambridge, we are experienced in assessing, diagnosing and solving many foundation crack issues, but we are advocates for preventative measures that strengthen the foundation and reduce the risk of detrimental cracks in the first place. We utilize a variety of masonry skills in our toolbelt to strengthen the fort, so to speak. One of the methods we employ is parging, a seemingly simple process of applying a cement smoothly over a masonry surface, usually the bottom few feet of the wall. This provides an aesthetically pleasing look especially over aging or deteriorating brick or masonry units, but it offers some additional benefits that can help with the building’s defenses. After parging, which in itself offers some water resistance, an additional waterproof sealer can be more easily applied to reinforce its waterproofing effects and strengthen the foundation, almost acting like a brace.
Our masonry contractors in Cambridge have over 10 years of experience with foundation inspection and repairs, so if you notice cracks or leaks in your basement, feel free to give us a call to assess the damage. Think of us as the family doctor of foundation damage - we can repair and prevent on site, or call on some specialist friends to handle extensive structural damage that require underpinning and other methods.
Our masonry contractors in Cambridge have over 10 years of experience with foundation inspection and repairs, so if you notice cracks or leaks in your basement, feel free to give us a call to assess the damage. Think of us as the family doctor of foundation damage - we can repair and prevent on site, or call on some specialist friends to handle extensive structural damage that require underpinning and other methods.
