Foundation repair and basement waterproofing

What's covered

• Foundation Crack RepairMost poured-wall cracks can be sealed from the inside with epoxy or polyurethane injection, which fills the crack through the full wall thickness. Epoxy restores strength on structural cracks, while flexible polyurethane suits leaking cracks that may still move a little. Block walls and wide or offset cracks often need a different approach, and if the crack comes from settlement, the movement has to be stopped first.
• Underpinning & Pier InstallationWhen part of a house is sinking, piers transfer its weight past the weak or shifting soil to a firmer layer or bedrock. Steel push piers are driven hydraulically against the weight of the structure and suit heavier buildings. Helical piers are screwed in to a measured torque and work well for lighter structures, porches and additions. Depending on the case, the house can sometimes be lifted back toward level during the process.
• Interior Basement WaterproofingAn interior system catches water where it enters at the floor-wall joint and sends it to a sump pit, where a pump discharges it away from the house. The work is done from inside, so there is no digging around landscaping, driveways or neighbouring lots. A dimpled membrane on the walls guides seepage down into the drain. Battery backup pumps are worth discussing in areas with frequent storms or power outages.
• Exterior Waterproofing & MembranesExterior waterproofing stops water before it reaches the wall. The soil is dug down to the footing, the wall is cleaned and repaired, then a waterproof membrane and drainage board are applied. It is usually combined with new weeping tile and clean backfill. It is the more thorough option when access allows, and it is the standard approach for new foundations and major renovations.
• Crawl Space EncapsulationA damp crawl space feeds musty air, wood rot and pests into the rest of the house. Encapsulation covers the ground and walls with a heavy vapour barrier sealed at the seams, closes the outside vents, and controls moisture with a dehumidifier or a small amount of conditioned air. Standing water, drainage issues and damaged joists are dealt with first so the barrier is not hiding a problem.
• French Drain & Weeping Tile ReplacementOlder clay tile and early plastic pipe can collapse or fill with silt and roots, and some older homes never had any. A camera inspection shows its condition.
• Bowing & Leaning Wall RepairSoil pressure, frost and poor drainage can push basement walls inward, often showing up as a horizontal crack partway up the wall or stair-step cracks in block. Carbon fibre straps suit walls with limited movement. Wall anchors and steel braces resist more pressure and some can be tightened over time. Walls that have moved too far may need to be excavated, straightened or rebuilt, so measuring the deflection is the first step.

How the work is handled

• Cause Before FixCracks and water are symptoms. Settlement, hydrostatic pressure, frost, poor grading or a failed drain usually explain them, and the repair should deal with that.
• Written ScopeMethod, materials, number of piers or length of wall, permits, timeline and site restoration, all written down before any work starts.
• Climate-Aware AssessmentsFrost depth, freeze-thaw cycles, clay soils and high water tables change what works. Local specialists take your area into account.
• Clear OptionsWhen more than one method can work, such as interior versus exterior waterproofing, you see both along with the trade-offs.
• Homes and Small BuildingsSingle-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, small apartment buildings and small commercial properties.
• Form Only, Your PaceSend the details when it suits you. Nobody calls you before you ask for a quote.

Every written quote covers

• The cause, not just the symptom
• Method and materials in writing
• Permit and engineer needs
• Excavation and access plan
• Site restoration details

Cities