Are Foundation Cracks Dangerous?

Foundation cracks in Toronto are common due to the age of the housing in the GTA, as well as the weather (rain-snow-freezing-thawing).  Foundation cracks develop over time for a variety of reasons and leads to basement water leaks as water makes its way into through the foundation.

Foundation cracks may not seem appear too serious at first, but there’s always a chance they could cause some damage further down the road. This is why it’s a good idea to have them inspected by a professional. Horizontal and/or vertical cracks in a foundation usually won’t threaten the building’s structural integrity as cracking from earth settlement below the foundation and drying of drywall tape or concrete typically won’t cause a problem.

Foundations Move and Shift Over Time

Buildings continually move when the framing shifts and the earth contracts and expands due to heat and humidity fluctuation. Most homeowners won’t even notice the movements since they’re so small, but older homes were often constructed with a reliance on friction and gravity to hold the components of the building in place. The structure can weaken over time and then settle and spread. If the problem isn’t looked after, the building could collapse under its own weight. However the components are all tied together in newer buildings to form a single unit to stop this from happening.

Some structural defects are often hidden inside of walls and under the ground while others are more obvious. Since damage to the structure can be caused by moisture you should inspect the foundation if water from any source is running to it. If the foundation has been penetrated by water it’s generally due to a drainage problem. Salt will wash through a foundation and the rebar and wire mesh will rust away. When this happens the concrete will crumble as the foundation fails.

Leaks in plumbing, doors, windows and/or siding can cause rotting in wood and this can damage a structure’s integrity as the wood can turn to dust. If you find any rot in the trim around doorframes or windows or in there could be some hidden damage. If wood is untreated it may become moist due to contact with earth or concrete and start rotting on the inside. This is often a problem supports and columns for porches and decks.

If termites are present the wood can quickly turn to powder and when a wooden structure is touching the ground there’s usually some hidden damage. The easiest place to visually see any structural damage in a building is the top floor as shifting caused by rot or the movement of the foundation is more pronounced on the top level. Door and window frames will move more on a higher level than a lower one. If the higher levels have uneven floors it’s usually because the structure below isn’t properly supported.

Inspecting For Foundation Cracks

One way to check for structural problems is to inspect the corners of door and window frames with a carpenter’s square. If you find they’re not square it could be because there’s been structural movement below. Be aware that improper installation of the window or door could result in the corners not being square. If just one window or door frame isn’t square this is the likely cause since structural movement will generally affect more than just one frame.

You can check for uneven floors by placing a marble on the floor and see if it rolls. A slightly uneven floor isn’t necessarily bad news since some foundations are designed to ride the movement of the soil the same way a ship rides the waves. Buildings with these types of foundations may not always be perfectly even at all times. But if the floor is sloping in more than one direction then you should have it checked out.

When there’s structural movement it can result in cracking and the cracks can more or less tell the direction and location of the force which caused them. A crack shaped like a V could indicate upward-moving pressure. Upward-moving forces can happen when the soil expands and when the level of moisture is increased in the earth beneath foundations, patios, driveways and sidewalks. Float walls are usually built into basements of structures erected in expansive soil and the float wall is designed to expand and contract with the movement of the soil. If the walls are rigid the force of the expanding soil can push on them and damage the floors above.

Downward Pressure

A downward force will create a vertical crack which is wider at the bottom than the top and the force often originates from subsidence of the soil located below the building’s foundation. A structure can also be damaged by outward or inward force. Horizontal cracks usually aren’t serious, but if the surface below or above the crack has been forced outward or inward there could be problems. Inward or outward pressure can be the result of improper backfill, pressure of moving water and earth, or vehicle traffic that is too close to the foundation.

If you can determine the direction and lace of the force which has caused the cracks then it’ll be easier to find the source. If the damage is hidden though, it can be very hard to determine and costly to repair as floors, ceilings and walls may need to be opened to reveal the damage. It’s also possible you won’t realize there’s any damage until the structure eventually fails.

Foundation Tips When Buying a Home

When buying a home, it’s recommended that you inspect the patios, driveways and sidewalks to see if they’re sunken, heaved, cracked or twisted. If they are then the property may have expansive soils. If the foundation and other structures have been built for the conditions and water is routed away from concrete pads and the foundation you should find little indication of any concrete damage. Remember that most homes erected on expansive soils generally show some defects due to the constant expansion and contraction of the earth. It’s a good idea to have your home inspected if you’re unsure of any damage or contract a structural engineer for a professional opinion.

Have a questions about a crack in your foundation?  Nusite Waterproofing serves Toronto and the surrounding GTA.  We offer a free in-home inspection and estimate and can advise on how to repair your foundation crack.  Contact us here today to schedule an appointment.

What You Need To Know Before Digging Out Your Basement

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Digging out a basement (also known an Underpinning or Basement Lowering) can be an ideal way to add some room or additional living space to your home and can often be less expensive than adding room by going upward or outward, which usually requires special permits and lots of red tape.   The best option can be chosen after considering a few factors such as design, feasibility, function, and the cost.

Why Underpinning is Popular in Toronto

Underpinning is a popular option for homeowners in Toronto due to high real estate prices and the fact properties tend to be on smaller lots.  Who wants to give up precious yard space to an extension?

If you intend on adding a finished basement to your dwelling you’ll also need to consider the stability and safety precautions since they’re different underground when compared to other floors of the home. And you also have to ensure that your basement is fully waterproofed and damp free before finishing your basement.

Starting Basement Dig Out Process - Underpinning

If your home already has a basement with decent ceiling height, then digging it out will be relatively inexpensive compared to starting from scratch. Once you have to start digging down several feet or lift the home to add a basement the cost will generally be comparable to adding a ground-level addition to the home. In general, a basement needs about a seven to eight-foot ceiling along with footing drains and foundation walls. If you currently have a basement with the ceiling height lower than seven feet then a digging will usually need to be done

Concrete and dirt will need to be removed when digging a few feet down and the existing concrete footings will need new ones made below them. In addition, a new concrete slab floor will need to be poured. If the home just has crawl space or the existing foundation isn’t adequate enough, then the house may need to be lifted to pour the slab and foundation walls. You’ll be able to install some form of insulation under a new concrete slab to improve the energy efficiency of the area. The new slab will enable you to place radiant heat tubes in the concrete to help heat the basement. Radiant heat could also be used for the entire home if you choose and it could result in more ceiling height if the old ductwork is removed.

Basement is Dug Out of Toronto Home

An egress, which is basically an emergency exit, should also be created. The local building codes will determine exactly where and how big the egress should be. In many cases, a large window that has a low sill is adequate since people can climb out of it of needed. A door can also be used as an egress which means a new door will need to be installed if the house sits on a sloped lot or a concrete stairwell will need to be dug. The question of connecting to the sewer line also needs to be answered when digging out a basement. If you know how deep the line is you’ll know if the basement can be drained by gravity or if water will need to be pushed upwards with a pump.

walkout-basement-apartment-toronto

Another thing you need to consider is how much light will there be in your basement. If you’re using a window as an egress then the light will be fine in that specific area. But you may prefer adding more windows for additional light and/or a more open feeling in the room as well as glass exterior and/or interior doors. Homes with an existing basement will likely already have exterior or interior stairs for access to it. However, you typically have the option if relocating them if you choose as you may be able to free up some extra space by doing so.

Framing of Basement in Toronto After Being Dug Out

If digging out the basement sounds like the ideal way to add living space to your home, it’s imperative that the area is dry. Some basements have a history of flooding or being wet and damp and this would need to be resolved first. For instance, two inches of rain running off the roof of a 2,000 square-foot house can produce more than 2,000 gallons of water. To help solve flooding in a basement, it’s important there are no cracks in the foundation, the gutters aren’t clogged, and the ground doesn’t slope towards the home.

Finishing a walkout basement in Toronto

There are several solutions to a wet basement such as excavating around the home’s perimeter as well as installing drains along the inside of basement walls. For more information and advice on Underpinning your basement  please feel free to contact our team of foundation-repair professionals at Nusite Contractors for a free inspection and written estimate. Our work is fully certified, insured, and guaranteed as well as made to last.  We serve Toronto and the surrounding GTA.

Basement Leaks Through a Concrete Block Wall

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Concrete Block Wall Basement in Toronto

Many homes in Toronto and the surrounding GTA have poured-concrete foundations, but some of them are made of concrete block, which is often referred to as concrete masonry units (CMUs) or cinder blocks. The walls of concrete block foundations sit on a footing which is a concrete-poured pad that is wider than the building’s foundation wall. This helps to distribute the home’s weight load. The foundation’s construction starts with pouring the footing inside a trench which contains metal or wood forms. The footing needs to sit lower than the freeze line and possibly deeper if there’s going to be a full-height basement.

 

Foundation Footings

The footing’s thickness and width depends on the construction and size of the home as well as the soil’s load-bearing capacity. During the basement excavation, the first row of concrete block is laid on the footing when it has cured to describe the structure’s perimeter. For foundation walls, the typical thickness of the concrete block is eight inches. However, foot-thick blocks are sometimes used for heavier loads and higher walls. More courses of block and mortar are added in a brick-like pattern until the proper height is reached. At this time, any openings and windows are built and the mortar in the wall is given time to  cure.

If there are hollow cores in the block walls they may be filled completely with mortar, but usually the edges of openings and corners of the wall are filled. In addition, extra strength may be added with steel rebar. Once the walls are finished the basement floor is poured with concrete and the ground floor framing is completed. The foundation is now supported at the bottom and top and it’s backfilled and compacted with soil while construction begins above the ground.

 

Fixing a Leak in a Concrete Block Foundation

Poured-concrete and concrete block foundations both have identical load-bearing strength, but concrete block walls are more susceptible to any type of lateral pressure which can result in seepage problems. This is because water can seep into a basement through concrete block walls via the porous blocks and any cracked mortar joints. It’s recommended that you waterproof a home’s block foundation by installing a waterproofing membrane to the exterior. This method can be done while the building is being constructed or by excavating around it.

The exterior membrane consists of asphalt-modified polyurethane. It’s applied in a thick coating to the exterior of the foundation walls and it created a barrier which helps keep out water. The waterproofing membrane is different than a damp-proofing spray as the spray is a thinner liquid which is sprayed over foundation walls when the home is built to keep condensation out of its interior. The membrane can be improved with exterior drain tile when the water table is high. The drain tile is designed to carry ground water away. In addition, drainage board can be installed on the walls as a method to help protect the exterior membrane by channeling the water downward.

If you don’t have the option of exterior waterproofing, then interior drain tile can help keep a block wall from allowing water through it. This often sees the installation of a vapor barrier on the inside walls which transports any water to the drain tile. This can be kept from view as a finish wall can cover the vapor barrier.

No matter what the reason is for your damp basement, if you have a concrete block foundation that needs to be waterproofed please feel free to contact our team of professional contractors at Nusite. We have over 30 years of experience dealing with concrete block walls in the GTA and will gladly schedule a visit to your home for a free inspection and estimate.

Repairing a Crumbling Stone Foundation

One of the most common foundation problems for older homes in Toronto is the crumbling of mortar joints between the stones. The repairing process of a stone foundation will depend on several factors since not all repair jobs are the same. However, repairing the bad joints isn’t generally considered to be a big task as long as it’s completed before the basement walls begin to move and the stones fall. Repairing the joints isn’t as expensive as completely rebuilding a wall section.

Crumbling Stone Foundation in Toronto

Using Your Basement as a Living Area

Some stone basements are used as living areas by homeowners, but more commonly, the basement will be used as a storage area for the furnace and water heater etc. And in some cases, the basement isn’t used at all as it’s basically just a foundation and is comparable to a high crawl space. The way the basement is utilized by a homeowner will usually dictate how the repairs will be carried out. If the basement is being used as a living area, then the homeowner will want the finished product to be attractive.  If the height of the basement is inadequate for living purposes, basement lowering is also an option.

Appearance is important in this scenario, but it takes more time and work to make sure the basement looks nice after repairing it due to crumbling mortar joints. If the basement is being used as a storage area and to house utilities, then most homeowners aren’t too concerned how attractive the finished wall is as long as it’s been properly repaired. In this case, their main concern is the structural integrity and function of the finished job. The same is true of homeowners who simply use the basement as a foundation.

Repairing a Crumbling Stone Foundation

Repairing crumbling mortar in stone walls is a relatively easy job, but it’s also quite tedious. The rotting and crumbling mortar is taken out and replaced with new mortar. The type of new mortar used is important and it’s generally determined by the condition of the stones and the type of the stones used to construct the wall. A bonding agent is typically used when new mortar is placed in the wall. Many foundations will be rotted in some areas while other areas have held up quite well.

The joints are investigated with a brick hammer by tapping it on them. If there is a hollow sound, then the mortar is replaced. The process is then repeated over and over again, which makes it tedious. In some cases, the dirt and mortar can be blasted out with a high-pressure garden hose. However, it’s important to make sure the stones aren’t disturbed. In most cases though, the old mortar is removed with a brick hammer or a pneumatic hammer.

Stone Foundation Repairs in Toronto

The crumbling mortar is usually removed from the top down and the wall is cleaned before new mortar joints are installed. It’s essential that the new mortar is placed behind the stone to make sure its bale to bond and bind. Some homeowners with stone basements try to support the floor joists and/or beams as they believe this will help take the weight off the wall. But in reality, this won’t stop the wall from crumbling or moving.

This is because a block or stone wall receives lateral strength from the pressure or weight that’s applied down onto it. If the weight is taken off of the wall there’s a better chance it will fall in, buckle, or move. Of course, the best way to preserve a home’s stone foundation is to replace any crumbling mortar. But until you can get it fixed, you should try to make sure that any ground water around the building’s foundation runs away from it at ground level. This is because dirt is moved by water and it can also move mortar. When you get your foundation repaired usually depend on your schedule and financial budget. When it comes to the cost, you may find it’s less expensive to repair the damage during the winter months when contractors usually aren’t as busy and they may be looking for work.

Have The Condition Of Your Stone Foundation Inspected

If your basement is in really bad shape you may want to consult a professional contracting company to have your foundation repaired or the basement underpinned. Nusite Group offers a free in-home inspection and estimate on all stone foundation issues and consult with you on the several improvement options that may be available to you so you can make an informed choice.

Make Sure Your Waterproofing Contractor Is Covered BY WSIB

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WSIB Covered Basement Contractors Ontario

Insurance and income tax are said to be among mankind’s greatest grudge expenses. They seldom seem to provide the benefits to match their cost. That’s why we try to put off settling those bills for as long as possible, and do our best to cut them back to the minimum. Sometimes it seems we’re hoping they’ll go away.

The problem with computers is that we are becoming far too used to having an undo button, and that’s spreading beyond our keyboards too. However time machines do not exist, the revenue service has a habit of getting its way, and medical bills for accident injuries have become outrageously expensive.

Ontario WSIB for Waterproofing Companies

Accidents Will Happen

Work-based accidents in Ontario are still surprisingly common.  Power tools (and the fact that some contractors work alone on jobs in order to remain competitive) ensure this. When an uninsured worker is hurt, the costs of emergency transportation, surgery, after care, rehabilitation and temporary loss of income are horrendous. An uninsured worker, if not covered by their waterproofing contractor company, will either have to pay their own medical bills or look to other liable parties for to pay for medical costs.  Those liable persons can be the homeowner where the work was being performed.

So the question is, are you comfortable getting sued by a worker because their employer does not carry the required insurance?  You may say that couldn’t happen, but it happens every day.  Lawyers look for the person who carries the most insurance and liability, and that person is the homeowner when it comes to workplace accidents on their property.

WSIB Insurance

Until the Ontario Workman’s Safety and Insurance Board introduced its accident insurance scheme, local contractors and employers were both at risk. Contractors who do not enjoy the Board’s accident coverage and do not employ other means of workplace employment still face their costs of injury alone. However they also have the right to sue their customers – and some successfully do. It is not only their homes that sometimes have to be sold.

But Isn’t this Coverage Automatic?

It’s supposed to be. However a contractor still has to register with the WSIB and pay an annual fee. Some waterproofing contractors may take the risk of not being insured to save money (and try and undercut reputable companies who carry the necessary insurance), while some think they can’t afford it or for the employees they hire. Others simply forget.

A related problem is that some employers either don’t know about Ontario’s WSIB insurance, or just assume that everything’s under control. When that happens, both parties are literally surfing naked on a potential time bomb, if you’ll excuse the mixed analogy.

What If a Contractor is Injured on my property as a homeowner?

The law requires that you as the homeowner take reasonable steps to minimize the effects of injury, and ensure the individual receives the necessary attention. After that, your involvement should be over. Unless, of course, a lawyer thinks they can prove your negligence. In the latter case the legal bills alone could break you.

How Can I be Sure a contractor has proper coverage?

Ask to see a waterproofing company’s Ontario WSIB clearance number, which is now valid for ninety days. If they’re not insured, think twice before you hire them. It’s simply not worth the risk. There are many waterproofing companies operating in Toronto with very little insurance or none at all.  They operate out of the back of their van and charge low rates because they are taking big risks for themselves, their workers and you the homeowner.  These same waterproofing companies will offer generous warranties, knowing full well they have no intention (or means) of hounoring them.  If they’ve forgotten it (or think they’re covered), the WSIB website is able to provide instant confirmation online.

If you really want to hire a waterproofing contractor but the insurance angle isn’t crystal clear, then this should be your first port of call. After all, it costs you nothing yet could and will prevent you from potential liability if an injury occurs on your property.