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FAQ

Why is my basement flooded?
There are many reasons this could happen. To begin with, the foundation of your house may have its integrity compromised by cracks in the floor or walls. The land surrounding the structure of the house may have poor drainage, compounded by leaking downspouts, plugged downspouts, or blocked sewer drain-pipe from the house and the main line.
Further causes can stem from the following as well. For instance, poor drainage compounded by overflowing eaves troughs, faulty foundation drainage, or even a malfunctioning waste water system. This can be due to the combination of the waste system and a clogged sewer system.
How can I know what needs repair?
The method and type of repair needed is going to be based on the given situation and the type of damage that is present, such as occasional puddling in the middle of the basement floor, or damp carpets after it rains in a particular part of the house. In the case where water appears, seemingly out of nowhere, with no indications of water coming in from the walls. It means the water is leaking up from underneath the slab, which calls for re-placing a section of the interior of the floor.
If there are spots on your carpet, getting damp after a strong rain is may be that there is a gap between the wall and the floor. This can be from a cavity or crack in the foundation walls or the weeping tile system is failing to drain properly. In this situation, the repairs are to the outside of the structure.
What are the indicators of my house settling?
First, begin by inspecting the outside of the house by looking for indications of diagonal cracks in the stucco or in between the brick that begin at ground level, if the house has a brick exterior. This is a sign that the foundation has shifted. Furthermore, look for signs of the roof buckling this will be evident in the roof-line.
Next when inspecting the interior of the house look for slopping floors or cracks in the drywall or floor, in addition to a door that swings open or is difficult to shut. This applies to a sticky window or one that refuses to stay open as well. Look for gaps between the floor and the baseboard as well, as this can accompany a sloping or dipping floor. Where a basement is concerned, look for cracks in the floor of any size and as small as 1/16th of an inch in length.
What indicates any issue with a house's foundation?
First and foremost, a sure sign of a problematic foundation is cracked drywall or sheetrock around the interior doors and around the windows. Another indication is that a door or window is troublesome when closing or opening. On the outside, the presence of a diagonal crack the follows the mortar or separation for the exterior walls from the windows that appear in the separation of the sealer around the windows and the exterior of the doors. This also applies to the top of the exterior walls and the soffit, any separation here is another indication of a foundation issue.
What indicates any issue with a house's foundation?
Let us begin by stating there is no real typical foundation repair. There are, however, similarities in many of the root causes that garners a similarity in the methods used for a given repair. That stated, as an example a bowed basement wall can be fixed in less than a full day.
However, following the opening statement, situations will vary, which means repairing a bowed wall may take longer, specifically when no other issues present themselves during the process. In most cases there is little disturbance to the surrounding landscape. If the project entails repair to a settled foundation, we perform enough excavation to expose the section that needs the work.

Afterwards we will replace what was moved. Additionally, before any job has begun our partner, we will describe our process. Moreover, they will inform you of the amount of excavation necessary to complete the work with minimal disturbance to the surrounding landscaping.

What is a “Push Pier,” and how, is one installed.

While this is a complex task, it can be done year around, in a few days and in areas with limited access. Our push pier system uses hydraulics to mount steel tubes and brackets below an existing footing. The system works to shift the load of the building away from the unstable soil to load-bearing piers.
The process begins with technicians driving steel piers into the earth until they reach bedrock or an equivalent load-bearing stratum. This takes place below ground level. The tubes attach to heavy duty metal brackets that are anchored to the houses footing. What follows is the careful shifting of the house onto the load-bearing piers. This process is applicable to commercial buildings in addition to residential homes.

Can you repair work performed by others that has attempted to repair cracks in concrete?

Yes, we have this ability. A portion of our business comes to us in the form of reworking failed repairs by another company. The methods we utilize begin with treating every job as a new repair and we offer transferable warranties in written form, against further damage by cracking.

Can you tell me what causes Basement flooding, dampness, or water damage?

The factors that cause a damp or flooded basement are poor drainage, not installed correctly, or low landscape. The surrounding land may be at a higher elevation or a construction project in the neighbouring yard can cause a drainage problem. Lastly, concrete may be suffering from a chemical breakdown.

What causes a musty smell in a basement?

Fungus spores that manifest due to mould and mildew will cause breathing issues that appears as asthma, allergic reactions, and other respiratory issues. In any scenario, a musty smell needs immediate attention.

What is or causes the white chalky substance on a wall?

This substance is normally efflorescence. This appears on concrete because of the composition of concrete. Concrete is made of a few different materials mix with water. In certain instances when there is an abundance of water in the concrete the initial bond created will break down, which leeches the lime cement to the outer surface of the wall, appearing as the white chalky substance.

Great Job with this company, I was very happy with all the work. They did a great job with waterproofing and underpinning my home.

– Michel K.