Ottawa Foundation Waterproofing: Protecting Your Home

Here at The Foundation Experts, we’ve worked diligently to become known as Ottawa Foundation Waterproofing experts. Home and business owners invest a lot of money into protecting their structures from damage and the foundation should be no exception. However, it’s common for foundations to be overlooked, out of sight, out of mind perhaps.

Neglecting to maintain your foundation’s resistance to water damage is the first step to staggeringly expensive repair bills. Our team at The Foundation Experts in Ottawa suggests the following practices to prevent foundation-sourced water damage throughout the year.

Ottawa Foundation Waterproofing: Understanding The Risks

A well-maintained foundation will support your structure for many years. Keeping it in good condition will protect your building from shifting ground, pests, and moisture. Water is one of the greatest threats to a foundation, attacking from multiple angles. The first step is understanding how water can get to your foundation and cause damage. The next step is to protect against these various sources. 

Below, we will cover the sources of water damage and how to prevent them from damaging your structure.

Water Gutters

Of all the things that can damage your foundation, this is the one that shocks many people. Water gutters help protect your home in many ways, including directing water away from it. 

They can’t do this if the gutters or downspouts have become clogged. Instead, water will build up and pour down the sides of your home, pooling at the bottom next to your foundation. Clear your gutters by cleaning them once or twice a year.

Downspouts

Even if your gutters are working properly, improperly positioned downspouts can cause problems. The water down the spout must be directed away from your home to prevent it from pooling.  This is typically achieved by ensuring the land slopes away from your home so it naturally pours off.  Sometimes special concrete slabs prevent it from digging a divet in the soil where the water comes out. Another option is downspout extensions to direct the water to where it can run off.

Ground Sloping

Ensuring the ground slopes away from your home is about more than downspouts. You need to act on whether your home is level with the surrounding ground or below that level. This can happen when your foundation has become damaged or time and weather have helped it settle into the ground. If you live in or around Ottawa, foundation repair services to raise and level your home are just a phone call away. 

Get and Maintain a Basement Sump Pump

Sometimes, more effort will be needed to keep water from building up in your basement. Regardless of how the water gets in, it’s important not to let it remain. A sump pump can go a long way to preventing water from building up and removing it before it becomes problematic. Be sure to perform routine maintenance on your sump pump, especially before the rainy season, to keep it functioning reliably.

Dry Soil

One common misconception is that water damage results exclusively from an overabundance of water. The opposite can be even more concerning depending on the soil type your home rests on. Some soils are more prone to compacting as they dry, making the ground shift and swell as the seasons change.  

One common result of this soil shifting is the formation of cracks in your foundation. The Foundation Experts also offer foundation crack repair services to fix damage from soil movement and keep your foundation secure. In the meantime, water the soil around your home during dry seasons to help protect your foundation.

For many home and business owners, these preventive steps are enough to protect their foundations from significant damage. However, disaster can strike even the most prepared. Don’t hesitate to call the professionals when disaster strikes, whether due to natural disasters, flooding, or broken plumbing. The longer stagnant water remains pooled in your home, the more damage it can cause. 

Protect Your Home With The Ottawa Foundation Repair Experts

We’re proud to serve the people of the greater Ottawa area with affordable expert foundation care and repair services. We offer options to address even the most complex foundation concerns. Some of these services include:

• Consulting/Inspections: We deliver consultation services for new construction or performing a renovation. We’ll be with you from start to finish, including performing a final inspection and signing off on it.
• Foundation Restoration: A full-service approach that restores structural integrity, addresses uneven foundations, and secures against future damage.
• Waterproofing Membranes: These membranes form a physical barrier between your foundation and groundwater. They’re available in various options, including peel and stick,  torch-on bitumen, and more.
• Sump Pump/Pits: Our team of experts can service existing sump pumps and pits and, if necessary, install new ones to protect your home or business.
• Concrete/Masonry Repair: We’ll ensure that your structure is free from places where water can get in to cause damage. When these spots are found, we’ll expertly repair and seal those sites to prevent water from entering your home.
• All Your Foundation Repair Needs: Landscaping, Foundation Underpinning, Basement Lowering, Stone, Stucco, Brick, Block Repair, Indoor Air Quality, Interior Water Control, and more.

These are just a few ways The Foundation Experts can help protect your home or business. We’re a full-service company that ensures your foundation problems are resolved from top to bottom.

Contact The Foundation Experts For Foundation Repair Concerns

The Foundation Experts can solve the foundation repair needs of those living in or around the Greater Ottawa area.  We dedicate ourselves to delivering a stress-free experience that ensures your foundation problems are resolved. We bring many years of experience and a commitment to excellence, making us a favourite of businesses and homeowners. 

Start with a free consultation and quote from one of our skilled team members.  We’ll review your project’s details, identify the source of any concerns, and provide a suggested list of solutions. Give The Foundation Experts a call to get started!