Understanding the Basics of Home Foundation Care
Foundation Care comes along with home ownership. Repairing damaged electrical wires, missing roof shingles, and malfunctioning heating/cooling systems can notch up costs and make life miserable. Regularly maintaining your home is necessary, including the foundation repair cost. Your home’s foundation is no exception to the rule, but learning how and where to start can take time and effort. Here’s everything you need to know about how to maintain your home’s foundation.
How Do Home Foundations Work?
A foundation is a constructed support system that supports a building’s structure. It supports the structure above, prevents groundwater from entering, and acts as a barrier to soil vapour and water.
For those seeking Ottawa foundation repair, your home’s foundation repair will depend on different designs, materials, and installation methods. In general, every foundation is as unique as the home itself, but generally falls into these categories:
Concrete Slabs
Concrete slabs are a 4 to 8-inch thick barrier going 2 feet into the ground. They are layered with sand or gravel to prevent cracking. These foundations are common in warmer climates and are susceptible to flooding and cost less to construct.
Crawlspaces
Crawlspaces provide a small area underneath the home using short, elevated support footings. They are about half the size of a basement. Raised from 18 inches to 4 feet maximum, the short height of these spaces provides a buffer to let warm air circulate underneath the home. These crawlspaces make accessing ductwork, plumbing, and heating/AC units easier.
Basements
Basements are the deepest part of a foundation, providing additional storage and living spaces. They can be either full basements with concrete blocks about 7 feet high or walk-in basements built on a slope against the terrain. While full basements provide a singular enclosed space, walk-in basements provide options for windows to bring in natural light.
Outside Factors Affecting Your Foundation Repair Cost
These below factors can impact how your foundation is constructed and how vulnerable it is to damage. Depending on when your foundation was built and the materials used, some factors that influence your foundation include:
Soil Type
Ottawa is known for its clay, sand, and loam soils, all of which have unique properties that affect moisture levels. During wetter periods of rain or snow, moisture saturates the soil, causing pressure against the foundation. Depending on the condition of your home’s surrounding soil, this can lead to damage over time and experience pockets of instability.
Climate
Your area’s climate will significantly impact your home’s foundation. In Ottawa, extreme cold temperatures and snowfall can often cause concrete walls and blocks to absorb water. This absorption can lead to cracks in the foundation, which can lead to water damage during warmer months.
Budget
Your building budget will also determine your home’s foundation type. The costs of materials, when the home was built, and how those materials stand over time can impact the lifeline of your home’s foundation. If your home was built over 20 years ago, then it’s highly recommended that you renovate it and determine the foundation repair cost.
Common, Missed Signs of Foundation Care
No matter your foundation type, foundations share many common problems that can impact its stability. When you find yourself debating on getting an Ottawa foundation repair, it’s important to search for these signs to see how severe the damage is. Some common, clear signs of foundation problems include the following:
Cracks
The earliest signs of foundation damage are cracks throughout the floors and walls. Horizontal, vertical, and side-step cracks indicate the foundation is settling into the soil, and there is soil movement.
Moisture/Leakage
Puddles of water and moisture condensing along the walls and floors can indicate that the concrete is absorbing water vapors from the soil. Over time, the moisture buildup can lead to extensive damage if a preventative system to control moisture is not in place.
Open Gaps
Any gaps in the home’s exterior or interior foundation often indicate movement in the foundation floor and soil. These gaps create greater exposure to moisture and create an immediate need for foundation repairs.
Uneven Doors/Windows/Floors
Doors difficult to open or close, floors sloping, and windows shifting all indicate foundation problems, which need to be inspected by a professional foundation expert.
These issues can develop overtime and impact your home’s structural integrity. When left alone, the gradual shifting of soil and moisture absorption can lead to structural failures and costly repairs.
When Should You Begin Foundation Maintenance?
Maintaining your home’s foundation is key to preventing these issues, and you can do so by following a monthly maintenance checkup for your home. Foundation care is a year-round process that should be regularly practiced seasonally. Every season comes with its challenges, and depending on the season you’re in, your home’s foundation can be exposed to various elements that impact its longevity over time. If you’re wanting to start caring for your home’s foundation to prevent damage, here’s a quick overview of what you should do by season:
Spring Maintenance
When spring arrives, make sure to check your gutters and downspouts. These devices drain water away from the foundation itself. Look for signs of water pooling around your home’s perimeter for any grading and drainage issues. You can also look for signs of cracks along the foundation, as the foundation becomes most vulnerable to water damage from melting snow.
Summer Maintenance
Hot summers cause the soil around the foundation to shrink. During this time, the foundation settles deeper into the ground, causing the floor to become uneven and cracked. One way to mitigate this issue is to water the soil around your home to provide moisture regularly.
Fall Maintenance
Similarly to spring, fall should be a time to clean gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris to ensure proper water flow. It should also be a time to get Ottawa foundation repair any cracks and gaps in the foundation to help prepare for the wetter, colder months.
Winter Maintenance
Winter should be the time to inspect interior damage and prevent ice from building up. Remove any ice and snow from your driveways and walkways to protect your foundation concrete. If you have a basement or crawlspace, check for leaks or dampness and repair them as soon as possible.
Get Ottawa Foundation Repair Services From Our Experts Today!
If you’re having trouble assessing the foundation repair cost for your home, then it’s time to seek out the Foundation Experts. For over twenty years, our experts have provided excellent foundation repair services throughout Ottawa. We ensure that your home’s requirements will be met within budget throughout the project and that your foundation will be safe from damage for years to come. For more information, call 613-227-2006 to receive Ottawa’s best home construction and repair services.