Whether the foundation of your home is cast concrete, concrete blocks, rubble,field stones or any other material, it is likely to crack over time.
In the Canadian meteorological context, where solages are subjected to the power of several freeze/thaw cycles each winter, it is clear that the foundations are suffering and that cracks may appear at some point. Water infiltration and structural stability problems follow.
VOPAA Inc. Foundation repair specialist implements durable solutions to crack repairs.
To make the right decision with full knowledge of the facts, the building expert first makes an accurate diagnosis of the type of crack in your home. Not all cracks are the same. Therefore, they do not require the same emergency of intervention. It is possible to count two kinds of cracks that we will detail below.
- Surface cracks
These are small, thin lines that you see appearing on the partitions or on the flooring. Microfisures less than 0.2 mm wide generally do not pose a risk to building stability. Rehabilitation of the wall by a professional mason plasterer is sufficient to dig the damaged part of the wall and upgrade and clean up the surface of the wall.
- Serious cracks to be treated urgently
It is safe to say that if the width of a crack is greater than 1 mm, then it probably comes from a problem at the foundation level. The finding is all the more alarming if the crack passes through a partition or worse a supporting wall along the entire length. If the crack is more than 2 mm, there’s an emergency!
If you have noticed this problem of large cracks either on the exterior façade or inside a room, it is advisable to call in a building professional expert in foundations. A bricklayer does not have all the skills and know-how to deal with this type of problem.
Our team specializing in repairing foundation cracks and installing French drains travels quickly to Canada to make an accurate diagnosis. After this analysis, our expert offers you a suitable solution to repair the base of the building as soon as possible. We act in full compliance with the standards and regulations of the quebec building code and your municipality. We offer you a free and detailed submission in full transparency.
What is a foundation crack?
Let’s start by defining what a crackreally is.
A foundation crack is a break in the material along its length, usually following a “zigzag” pattern. It can grow in different sizes, lengths and anywhere. There are vertical and horizontal cracks that can be distinguished into two types:
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- Active crack
- Passive crack
Active cracks in Gatineau
Active cracks are the most dangerous to the structure and require complete repair.
These worsen over time due to frost, soil subsidence or poor drainage.
You need a foundation expert to quickly make an adequate repair, which goes beyond a simple refill.
Passive cracks in Gatineau
Passive cracks, on the other hand, do not grow. According to an expert’s judgment, it is possible to simply fill them up.
When a new crack is seen, it is important to monitor it closely to observe any evolution.
How do I treat a major crack?
Above all, the foundation expert will place a witness to check the evolution of the crack over time. This witness gives an indication of the instability of the building. If the evolution is rapid, the intervention will also have to be rapid in order to stop the progression of the crack. Adapted techniques such as the French drain allows water to be discharged at the base of a building. Stagnant water is a determining factor that causes capillarity infiltration into walls.
The French drain solution to repair cracks
When the soil is clay, as it often is in Quebec, the foundations must be impervious. To do this, installing a French drain around the perimeter of the dwelling is an excellent solution. This technique, also known as a “dispersal drain” prevents water from accumulating around the building and stagnating. The French drain waterproofs, drains water and sanitizes the foundations.
We work in safe conditions and with respect for the environment. All our waste and rubble are treated in waste disposal for recycling. We pay particular attention to the treatment of hazardous materials such as asbestos, pyrite or pyrrhotite so as not to expose the people who work on the site and visitors.
We know that the number one enemy of a foundation is water and moisture. Since the foundation is the lowest point of a building, a soil is inevitably in contact with this threat to varying degrees depending on the drainage, the relief of the land and other factors. Over time, a foundation is likely to give way in certain places. While cracking a soil can have major impacts, it can also be negligible in nature.
The various causes of ruptures to better understand the phenomenon:
- The strength of the frost
- Poor quality of concrete
- Poor ground lift
- Normal aging
The strength of the frost
This often underestimated force, is capable of doing much damage. In Canada, many foundations are victims of this phenomenon every year. As we know, there is water in the soil and when a very cold winter is this groundwater expands. In a context where a drainage system can no longer perform its role, the expansion of water (in the form of ice) near the foundation will put a lot of pressure on the concrete, which may eventually give way.
It is therefore necessary to check that the gutter exits
- are as far away from the walls as possible,
- they benefit from the positive slopes and,
- drainage system is effective to minimize risk.
Poor quality of concrete
A foundation that has been built with poor quality concrete is more likely to crack. Concrete used to support a house or building must have some resistance to compression.
The APCHQ recommends an MPA resistance of 20 for the sole and foundation wall and 32 for surfaces subject to the freeze-thaw cycle.
Poor ground lift
Some types of soil are more unstable than others. In recent years, many buildings and residences have been built on low-liftfloors.
These are soils that are totally inadequate to carry as much weight. These houses are therefore at high risk of cracking.
Normal aging
Of course, over time a foundation degrades especially if it is exposed to difficult conditions. Whether the flooring is made of the best concrete in the world and on the most stable of soils, the foundation will eventually crack. Good watertight protection and an efficient water system significantly reduce the impact of cracks on the health of a foundation.
You can also read this more complete article: How foundation cracks form
With more than 20 years of experience in repairing foundation cracks, we represent the team with the greatest expertise in Gatineau and Montreal.
It is an urgent solution. The causes are various:
- A mischief in the construction of the building
- Significant water infiltration at the base of the building
- The presence of pyrite or pyrrhotite
- A strong pressure point on a slab
- A major movement of the basement
- Heavy flooding
Doing a foundation excavation and replacement is an important project. This work requires a competent, experienced team equipped with specific equipment and adapted machines. In this case, we are talking about a new construction. Building lifting is sometimes necessary to then sit on solid and stable foundations. This is a significant investment but is sometimes the only way to save your home!
Our company offers you a complete expertise as well as a detailed quote, unsurprisingly. Having already worked on many sometimes delicate projects, our engineers and building inspectors accompany you throughout the construction to explain the steps of the work and the progress.
For more information on foundation renovations, please contact our engineering technician.
Crack repair from the inside: Techniques and benefits
Over time, a foundation may crack. The consequences of this failure vary from one type to another depending on several factors. It is common for a foundation crack to be benign. A cracking of the plaster can also be confused with a solage crack. When you see a crack on the outside surface, check to see if it goes down lower than the outside. If there is a doubt, part of this coating can be removed to check the condition of the structure.
For a foundation crack, the opinion of an expert is always in order. There are different methods for repairing a crack. The blockage can be done via the interior of the building or from the outside.
Causes of cracking of the ground in Gatineau
Even a foundation of impeccable quality will eventually crack over time. Although the different types of concrete are constantly changing, they are all susceptible to cracking. Even the largest bridges have cracks in their structure, but these are usually no-cut shrinks for the structure.
When a foundation slot is no more than 3mm wide or water does not seep in, there is no reason to worry. Concrete is a material composed of water. When it ripens, water evaporates and this sometimes causes shrinking cracks as the concrete loses volume. These are usually passive cracks that will no longer be moved after this ripening process. However, it is advisable to monitor them during their training to see that they will have no impact on the structure.
For larger cracks that allow water to seep in, there are several possible causes.
- Poor quality of concrete
- Poor ground lift
- The strength of the frost
- Normal aging
A very large crack can form when more than one of these causes impacts the foundation. For example, when it is made of poor quality concrete on unsyt their ground. The movement of the soil may cause a slit of the flooring since the sole will not have a stable support point. In a situation where the quality of concrete is poor, the fault will grow much more easily.
The Canadian climate is undoubtedly another factor that is detrimental to foundations. These are like roads, greatly affected, by the cycle of freezing and thawing. The installation of a French drain on the entire perimeter of a house or building is highly recommended. Water pipes are essential for the protection of a flooring. (Including storming rainwater)
Waterproofingis also very important. Because a foundation will have faults at some point, waterproofing significantly reduces the risk of water or moisture infiltration. VOPAA Inc. always installs 2 membranes, an elastic and draining membrane.
These protections will preventwater infiltration problems. These are effective ways to prevent soil repair, which can sometimes be quite expensive.
What are the techniques for repairing a foundation crack?
Whatever the technique, the foundation crack must be plugged. The product used may be concrete or an expandable clogging liquid. It depends on the technique chosen. A fault can be repaired from the outside or from the inside.
Crack repair from the inside in Gatineau
Plug a crack without excavating from the outside? Yes it is possible. We intervene through the interior façade of the foundation wall by making an injection. Two products are mainly used:
- The epoxy
- Polyurethane
The epoxy
Epoxy is a product injected at low pressure into the crack. When it dries, it becomes very solid. It is very appreciated for the beautiful finish it gives. However, its rigidity is also a weak point in the event that the foundation undergoes movements. The repair will give way very easily since this product has no elasticity.
It is mainly for this reason that it is not commonly used for concrete flooring repair. For a passive crack that is not likely to move, epoxy can still be an interesting choice.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane has very different properties. Applied by injection, it expands into the slot to cover as much space as possible. The great strength of this sealant is its flexibility. Once mature, it is able to stretch to withstand movement and remain a waterproof protection.
Polyurethane can be applied at high pressure which is an advantage. This allows the product to penetrate deep to plug all empty spaces such as micro cracks.
Its aesthetic aspect is its only disadvantage. However, if you have an interior trim coating, this appearance will never be visible.
Polyurethane is preferred to epoxy for crack repair for all these reasons. Epoxy is more often used for structures where aesthetics are more important.
The first consequence of a crack is water infiltration. Cracks can sometimes allow a large amount of water to pass through, which can be very problematic.
It is common for customers to call us with a sense of urgency when this happens. It can also be a high presence of moisture in a basement that causes the development of mould.
Large cracks also pose a structural hazard to a building. This can affect other areas of a building.
For example, it is possible that the exterior or interior finish of a building will crack due to the lag caused by the damaged foundation.How to repair a foundation crack?
How to repair a foundation crack in Gatineau?
VOPAA Inc. recommends that you start with the assessment of the crack by its team of experts. Depending on the type of crack and the environment around it, it will be possible to determine the most durable and simple solution.
The type of foundation must also be taken into account. A concrete block or field stone flooring is built with joints, so the procedure is different. Depending on the context, it is possible to repair the crack from the inside or from the outside.
Generally an active crack that poses a danger to the structure is repaired from the outside. It is clogged, solidified and made waterproof. After excavation and cleaning, the “V” slot is broken and mechanical anchor points installed.
These inkings create a better grip of the new concrete. The slit is then blocked with high-strength concrete (25 to 30 MPA).
In order to reduce the risk of displacement and prevent the crack from moving, steel plates are installed.
Finally, the area must be waterproofed with an elastomer and honeycomb membrane. Below are photos of active crack repairs in Laval.
Passive cracks are used in the same repair process except that steel plates are omitted.
Use VOPAA Inc. for a free estimate. With our 20 years of experience in crack repair, we will achieve an immediate and lasting repair.
VOPAA yards on foundation cracks
- Soil repair in Ottawa: cracks
- Active crack repair in Ottawa
- French crack and drain repair in Buckingham, Gatineau, QC
- Repair of a foundation crack in Gatineau, QC
- Maintaining a crack in Ottawa, ON
This is the subject of endless debate among experts. Some would say that a repair from the inside is a short-term solution since it does not intervene directly at the source of the problem. In our experience, an interior repair can be a long-term solution for a crack that undergoes little movement. For a major flaw, we recommend an outside intervention. There will be double protection with repair and membranes. The elastic membrane will ensure waterproofing as it has a 300% elongation capacity.
Repair from the inside
An interior repair offers two big advantages:
- Low cost
- Achievable at all times
For this type of repair, there is no excavation to be carried out and no membranes to be laid. This requires less manpower and equipment time. The price for the repair will therefore be lower. In addition, you will not be forced to redo landscaping work afterwards.
Because the repair is done from the inside, it can be done at any time. The frozen soil that makes excavation much more difficult in winter is not a problem for this type of intervention.
Exterior repair in Gatineau
- Direct intervention at the source of the problem
- Complete waterproofing
- Inspection and maintenance of the French drain
The ideal is to solve the problem at the source and this is what allows a repair from the outside. Check out the crack repair page to see how it is done. With this method it is completely prevented the contact of the foundationwith water. For a local problem, a mini-excavation over a distance of 8 to 10 feet is sufficient to correct the solage defect.
Following the repair, an elastic membrane is applied to allow for this additional waterproof protection.
Once the excavation is done, an inspection can also be done by camera of the French drain (if there is one). If the drainage system is functional, cleaning is recommended to increase its efficiency. Maintenance chimneys can then be installed for future checks and maintenance.
In short, this type of repair is the one we favour because its efficiency and durability are recognized. Not only are the flooring repaired, but the pipe is waterproofed and optimized with maintenance of the French drain.
VOPAA Inc. specialist in residential and commercial foundation repair in Gatineau will advise you on the type of repair to be done. As soon as a crack forms, call us, because water infiltration can cause very costly damage.
*Free quote within a radius of 30 km. Beyond this radius, the $120 fee for the bid is refunded if the client signs the contract for the completion of the work with us.