The Best Contractors for your Foundation RepairsFoundation Repair Contractors in Outremont

How to identify foundation problems?

If you plan to buy a home soon, learning how to recognize the warning signs of foundation problems will help you determine if the property you are looking for is in good condition or if renovations are in the works.

A good home inspector can spot these signs for you, but before you use his services, try to find them yourself. This is a good way to save time and money.

Identify foundation problems inside the house

If the walls have cracks in the corners of doors or windows, there may be a foundation problem. Horizontal cracks can indeed appear if the foundation moves. This happens when the damp ground outside freezes and expands. This phenomenon sometimes causes some damage.

A sloping or uneven floor is another indication that may indicate a foundation problem. You may notice a slight inclination as you walk through a room. It is a matter of being attentive, then talking to the inspector or owner to identify the cause of the problem. (Of course, if you have trouble keeping your balance or feel like you're on a boat pitching, you should worry...)

When doors and windows do not close properly, it may also be due to the foundation being in poor condition. But don't panic, often it's a sloppy painting job or overused wood that causes the problem.

When visiting the house, also pay special attention to kitchen cabinets. You may see an abnormal breach in the upper part and notice that they do not close properly.

If there is a chimney and it is cracked, there may also be a problem there.

Then go to the basement. Here, foundation problems could be revealed by water infiltration. This can happen when the foundation begins to erode and water penetrates the concrete. If so, you may even see signs of mould.

Identify foundation problems outside the house

Outside the house, also make sure that the doors open and close properly and that there are no cracks in the doors and windows.

Cracks in bricks and mortar should also arouse your suspicions. The impression that the property has moved a little from its original location may again be caused by the expansion and contraction of the ground that puts pressure on the foundation walls.

If necessary, take a look at the garage door. As with kitchen cabinets, a small gap between the door and the asphalt driveway or side walls could hide a foundation problem.

What are the main types of house foundations?

The foundations are the foundation of the construction. They transmit the total weight of the structure to the ground and ensure its stability. The technique to be used depends on the quality of the land, its geographical location and the construction method.

Foundations require a sufficiently hard and resistant ground to support the load of a building. They are distinguished according to the depth required to achieve them.

The foundation is the lower part of a structure, which allows its weight to be distributed evenly over the ground, without causing different settlements from one point to another on the surface, thus avoiding major damage. The choice of foundation techniques for a building is therefore essential, especially when the ground is not stable.

There are two main foundation techniques: surface foundations and deep foundations. The choice depends on the nature of the soil on which your house will be built. The surface foundations are to be laid on stable ground, or for light constructions, which do not require additional reinforcements. To build deep foundations, or so-called pile foundations when the stable ground is several meters from the surface, piles, cast walls or any other technique will be used to reach this stable ground.

The Best Contractors for your Foundation Repairs in Outremont