Just Foundations Ottawa

02/22/2021

Beacon Hill North

02/22/2021

Lincoln Fields

02/22/2021

Orleans

02/22/2021

Mooney's bay area

02/22/2021

Just a few of last years jobs

02/27/2020

Concrete & Cement: Information for Homeowners
Hello Ottawa! As Our Company prepares to open for the 2020 season, we receive a lot of calls about issues homeowners are currently having with their basements. We have noted there is an amount of confusion concerning terminology when discussing the pouring of concrete so we decided to compile a basic list of terms below so you have a better understanding of what concrete is as well as why it is used. Just Foundations is a company that operates with integrity and we want all homeowners to be as comfortable as possible before the work begins.
Terminology:
Cement VS. Concrete: These two words are often used interchangeably as though they are the same thing which in incorrect. Cement is actually one part of a compounded mixture that becomes concrete. Concrete is a mixture of sand, stone, water AND cement, and the cement generally makes up about 15% of a batch of concrete. So for example if one was speaking about their basement; it would be referred to as their concrete basement not their cement basement.

Portland Cement: Many believe this is a specific brand name for cement, but it’s not. It is simply the generic name for the type of cement that is widely chosen to make concrete.

Hydraulic Cement: This is the type of cement Just Foundations prefers to use. It is a type of finely ground cement that is able to set quickly when water is added. When mixed together a process called hydration occurs meaning a stone like form is created. This hardening process will continue for years to come after the work is done, and that means your foundation will continue to strengthen over time. This type of cement is good for climates like Ottawa as our basements are regularly in contact with water and hydraulic cement is water resistant.

Parging: Parging is a coating applied to concrete foundations in the above ground part of your home's foundation walls. Our Company utilizes a polymer based parging compound that further enhances your foundation’s durability and life longevity; it will also hide visible surface imperfections and provide a smoother, more finished look.

Why Choose Concrete?
Environmentally Friendly: Concrete is a substance that is recyclable, carries a low carbon footprint and does not give off gases or toxic fumes.

Versatility: Many think of concrete as only grey and flat but that is not the case. Concrete mixes can be developed to suit various patterns, colors and shapes depending on what you are looking to do. For example, if you look at different pools you will note the deck surroundings are designed to every owner’s preference – it’s concrete!

Cost Efficient: There is a savings in utilizing concrete as it requires little to no maintenance. It is also noise insulating so you don’t have to spend extra in terms of sound proofing your basement.

Durability: Concrete is an extremely solid material and will not melt, rot or rust through; it is also perfect for our climate here in Ottawa as it can withstand inclement weather/ harsh winters.

Just Foundations strives to provide quality work and we like our customers to understand exactly what we are doing. If you have further questions give us a call and we’d be pleased to expand further on the usages of concrete as well as any other service or materials that we provide and use! Give us a call! 613-809-5878

12/04/2019

We aren't professional photographers but you can see some of the work we did.

12/04/2019

THE THREE BASIC STEPS TO REPAIRING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR

Cracks in your home’s concrete exterior are mostly caused by natural freeze-thaw cycles due to the climate we live in as well as structural integrity issues. Regardless of the cause, this is not something you should leave be for very long or ignore completely. This type of problem only has the potential to grow, which can result in costly repairs. This is something that should be left to the professionals to assess and take care of; below is an explanation of the steps that are taken by seasoned foundation specialists so you have an idea as to how the process works.

FINDING THE ROOT CAUSE
There are many different reasons your foundation has developed cracks from climate to soil conditions to poor construction practices. It is critical a thorough inspection be done to determine the correct root cause; the type of concrete crack will aid in deciding what sort of materials will be required, and how much labor will be needed to fix the issue.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATERIALS
The inspection results will provide the type and size of the cracks; at that point a decision will be made as to which materials should be utilized, generally it comes to a choice between epoxy, urethane and polyurethane to repair damaged concrete. This is another important reason this type of work should be left to the professionals; if incorrect materials are used the concrete repair will not last, and you’ll be facing the same issues down the road if not more.

THE WORK ITSELF
Once the proper materials are obtained to fix the cracks in your foundation, specialists will fill the cracks, smooth them out, and then seal off the materials used to prevent water from entering and damaging the area again. Beyond any water entering your basement, fixing the damage will reinforce the strength and integrity of your walls.

It is encouraged that you speak with a few foundation specialists to learn of their expertise, pricing and if they are able to provide solid references. If you do your homework you’ll receive superior protection from water damage to your home for many years to come.

Cracks in your concrete exterior are mostly caused by natural freeze-thaw cycles due to the climate we live in as well as structural integrity issues.

11/14/2019

Water Proofing VS Damp Proofing:
Know The Difference!
For homeowners who do not know about the actual construction of a house, foundation water proofing can be very confusing. It stands to reason if there is water in the ground and one’s home is built into the ground that it would naturally be water proofed. This is not always the case. The cost of building a foundation that is waterproofed comes with a substantially higher cost, and often builders will cut corners in this area to save money. An untrained eye wouldn’t be able to detect whether a foundation was waterproofed or not, and that area of the home is covered by dirt surrounding the foundation so early in the game it’s easy for this cost to be cut out of the picture. If you are a person who is planning on building a home, discussing this want with your builder upfront is a good idea in the long run; the higher initial cost of waterproofing is well worth it. You can always waterproof the interior of the foundation later on, but this is generally prompted after a leak has already developed, and it simply won’t be as effective as the exterior of the foundation being initially waterproofed.
Compounds that are designed for waterproofing block water from infiltrating into your home, and are highly effective when applied to the exterior of a foundation. Various waterproofing products are available to homeowners and are very different in their composition. Products can be rubber polymers, modified asphalts, clay or urethane based. It is extremely important to discuss these products as they have the ability to bridge cracks that might develop later on, and some have the ability to bond bigger cracks than others. This is an important discussion to have with your installer in order to keep your basement dry for many years to come.
There is also a process that is called "damp proofing” which is often confused as being the same thing as waterproofing – it is not. Damp proofing slows water from penetrating into foundations, and is usually done with the application of unmodified asphalt coatings to foundation surfaces. The issue is that most of these products become brittle when dry, and can even be dissolved by ground water over time. The damp proofing process does not possess the ability to bridge foundation cracks, and untreated concrete will easily absorb water from the soil around your house. The absorbed water will then travel through the concrete and evaporate from the inside surface of your basement walls. This is why older homes are known to have “damp feeling basements”; the walls will appear dry however, the water is actually still being transmitted into your basement.

For homeowners who do not know about the actual construction of a house, foundation water proofing can be very confusing.

10/04/2019

WHY DID MY FOUNDATION CRACK?

The foundation of a house bears its’ weight, anchors it against destructive forces such as powerful storms and earthquakes, and keeps the house safe from moisture within the ground underneath. Homeowners rarely think about this critical part of their home – until they see cracks. This is common in older homes but it does happen in newer homes as well, and is always something homeowners should pay attention to. Repairing a crack depends on the location and its cause; in an effort to help you understand why you may be observing cracks in your foundation (floor or walls), several causes as to why this can occur are discussed below.
Weather, Soil Conditions and Acts of God:

Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can play a role in causing cracks. When pouring cement extreme heat can dry the cement too quickly causing it to shrink rapidly, and extreme cold can freeze the water in the cement which will cause it to expand. This contracting and expanding can cause the concrete to not settle properly and voila! You have cracks.
Natural settlement where the soil simply settles under your house does occur and that can cause foundation cracks on its own. However, poor sub - surface drainage or areas that have a lot of clay or sand mixed with heavy rain that will affect your water table and cause these issues. A Water table is the point of depth under your home where the ground is always completely saturated (normal). Depending on the soil conditions where you live, an extreme amount of rain can cause the water table to rise and puts pressure under the house; then when the water table lowers so does the house. Highly saturated soils above your home’s water table can create stress to the foundation and even settle the house.
Earthquakes or frost quakes are acts of God and that cannot be controlled and can cause major damage. Earthquakes can create huge cracks or further open cracks that already exist. Frost quakes occur when a large volume of water is accumulated in the soil or bedrock and freezes due to a sudden extreme temperature drop. This quick flash freeze builds up pressure and stress on its surroundings until the ground cracks, giving off an explosive sound.
Poor Construction Practices:
Improper Cement Mixing: If the contractor that mixed the concrete used too much water and doesn’t allow the cement to dry properly, the foundation will be more fragile than it should be and its very likely cracks will occur.
Equipment Damage: If contractors operating machinery are too rough or if the machine being used is too big they can easily hit a side of the foundation – it’s been known to happen!
Lack of Gravel & Older Floor Slabs: Having gravel below the floor is important to create a capillary break between the existing soil that the home is sitting on, and the concrete floor. If there is little or no gravel, ground water that is rising will find its way upwards through the floor slab. Leaks coming up through floor cracks are consistent with older homes as past building techniques did not specify a substantial amount of gravel to be placed below the floor slab, nor were the slabs poured as thickly as current standard practices. Years of coming into contact with ground water further thinned out the floor slabs, causing cracks in the floor of the foundation.
Rod Hole Leaks: During the construction process, a metal rod is used to hold 2 plywood forms together to pour concrete between them. Once the cement is cured the rods are then cut and/or removed completely. If this process is not done properly water is able to leak in through the rod holes in the foundation and will cause cracks.
Concrete Honeycombing: This is the result of imperfections or voids in the concrete that present a rough stony like surface after the foundation wall has been cured and the forming has been removed. Depending on the depth, the honeycomb can be chipped out until a solid sound concrete wall is exposed. It can then be patched with mortar or cement based materials, but if left as is cracks will occur.
The Angle Tells The Story:
Concrete foundation cracks can occur at any angle as it’s a solid wall, but the direction of the angle is telling as to why it happened. Vertical cracks are very common in foundation walls. Most cracks derive from the corners of windows and doors, starting from the top and tapers inwards towards the bottom and are often are easy fix. Horizontal cracks however, are often a sign of a structural problem that should be assessed by a structural engineer. If a horizontal crack is found at the top of the foundation wall it’s generally from the winter weather and spring thaw cycle. If it’s found at the bottom of the foundation’s wall near the floor it means its structural integrity may be compromised due to the water table rising/lowering the house.

08/26/2019

Thankyou to Maralyn for getting us to do this project, special thanks to from and from Sherwin Williams Orleans, https://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/products/loxon-water-blocking-primerfinish

08/17/2019

Thank-you Gillian for getting us involved to fix this leak, Lincoln fields area