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Vopaa Gatineau

drain français et fondations

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The foundations of the stone houses

Accueil » The foundations of the stone houses

Although aesthetic, old field stone houses can experience problems with their foundation.

The foundations of Quebec buildings made of field stone

In Quebec, there are many dry stone houses on wooden piles built from the beginning of the 18th century until the end of the 19th century. Using field stone, these buildings continue to dress the landscape today. Montreal and Ottawa foundations are known for this.

This limestone stone is permeable to water but crumbled by frost, especially when the walls are exposed to the northeast wind. This is why the plaster has been used a lot to protect and optimize the physical rendering of these stone walls. The plaster improves the texture of the wall in case some stones are not well cut and forms a barrier against the weather.

The role of foundations

While some buildings are built on wooden piles or dry stones, field stone houses are usually built on foundations, mostly concrete. The stability of the foundations is very important. They may tend to weaken due to water infiltration or soil quality. This is why it is essential to inspect the foundations regularly in order to preserve them in the best way possible.

However, if you see real problems on your walls, it is essential to use building professionals. Indeed, the quality of the foundations is imperative and a degradation could lead to moisture problems with a health risk to the inhabitants or worse the irreversible degradation of the building.

How to check the good condition of the foundations on stone wall of fields?
In order to keep the foundations of his stone house in optimal condition, it is important to check their condition. Here are some of the problems that may arise, and how to address them:

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Check for water infiltration

This type of wet upwelling in the walls can occur in case of heavy rain or snowmelt. There is then a drainage problem at the foundation level. In this case, they must be excavated and a new drainage should be put in place corresponding to the type of soil. Highly recommended, it will even be necessary to install a waterproofing membrane with the new French drain. It is also important to ensure that runoff (particularly gutter water) is away from the foundation.

Problem in the concrete of the foundations

Cracks in the exterior or interior of the building walls can reveal several types of problems. These malfunctions can be found in the masonry or concrete of the foundations: break, sagging or swelling.

There are several possible causes:

  • Underground work in the vicinity that can cause soil to shift
  • Vibrations due to heavy-duty traffic
  • Freezing and thawing
  • Strong temperature variations

All these elements make   the ground   “move. In this case, the foundations should be excavated in order to stabilize and repair them.

Traces of moisture on the walls

Traces of moisture cause fungi and moulds that are dangerous to the health of the inhabitants. Moisture can also cause the mortar to degrade the masonry or cause the floor joists to rot.

The solution is to properly ventilate the crawl space, cellar or basement, especially during the summer. For this to be effective, sighs are required in good condition and good ventilation. Alternatively, it is also possible to set up an air exchanger or dehumidifier.

Mortar crumbling

If you notice a crumbling mortar or damage to the joints that bind the stones and mortar, you should act quickly to prevent any damage to the foundations. The old cladding must then be removed and the joints re-made with a new mortar to repair the cracks.

Maintaining its walls of field stone foundations

foundation stone of the fields

From a technical point of view, the maintenance of stone walls is generally not very restrictive if it is carried out on a regular basis. The condition of the mortar joints is to be checked every five years. If the masonry is covered with plaster, small cracks on the surface must be regularly checked and repaired.

From an aesthetic point of view, it is possible to give your stone walls a color similar to the old mortars by adding, on the surface, a coating of lime. Indeed, the colour of mortars and plaster depends on the colour of the sand used and the proportion of lime added. It is therefore possible to change the colour by putting more lime in it.

For a reliable diagnosis of your field stone home, contact our foundation expert who will make a free and personalized submission.

Filed Under: Works

excavation et réparation de fondation à Gatineau

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Questions sur la réparation de fondation à Gatineau

Faut-il quitter les lieux durant les travaux?

Non il n’est pas nécessaire de quitter lors des travaux. Bien qu’il soit possible qu’une tranchée profonde surlonge tout le périmètre de votre maison durant les réparations, nous avons des installations sécuritaires pour que vous puissiez rester à la maison. Des rampes d’accès sont installées afin de permettre au client d’entrer et sortir à leur guise.

Peut-on baisser le taux d’humidité dans un sous-sol en réparant la fondation?

L’imperméabilisation et la pose d’un drain français protègent en effet votre sous-sol de l’humidité. Si la ou une des sources d’humidité  provient d’une faille de votre mur de fondation, la réparer va contribuer à régler le problème.

Les membranes installées par VOPAA inc. ont des propriétés imperméables et pare-vapeur afin de garder un sous-sol bien au sec. Sachez qu’un taux élevé d’humidité contribue à la formation de moisissure qui peut causer des problèmes de santé importants.

 

Vous pouvez toujours vérifier d’autres éléments tels que la plomberie et les fenêtres qui peuvent également représenter la cause d’une forte présence d’humidité dans l’air.

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