Basement waterproofing and crawl space repair in ON

Home Additions That Cause Foundation Problems

Fri, February 10 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Between 1950 and 2000, house size in the doubled in the U.S., from 1000sq. ft. to 2000sq. ft. Similar growth occurred in many parts of Canada –not because family size increased, but because our sense of “necessary” space and privacy expanded. Extra bathrooms, separate bedrooms, larger kitchens with breakfast nooks—it’s no wonder so many older houses were expanded with one or more additions.

Building an addition calls for a new foundation, and this important structural element needs to be properly designed, carefully built, and correctly joined to the existing foundation.

Problems Occur When a New Foundation is Added to an Old One

Homes with additions sometimes end up with structural problems, and foundation problems are surprisingly common for several reasons. First of all, the contractor who builds the addition is usually not the same contractor who built the house. The new guy may not be as familiar with local soil conditions as the original contractor. If the property has expansive clay soil and the addition contractor doesn’t take steps to protect the new foundation from soil pressure that can reach over 5000 pounds per sq. ft, there’s a good chance that foundation damage will occur some time in the future.

Foundation damage can also occur because a contractor takes a shortcut or two to build some extra profit into a small addition project. What if footings are placed above the frost line instead of below it, or some steel reinforcement is left out of a foundation wall? Maybe the contractor decided that gravel or drainage tile could be omitted because of an especially dry building season. These are just a few details that can lead to problems in the foundation for a building addition.

Crawl space foundations are often used on home additions, since they’re less expensive than full basement foundations. But if the contractor chooses to build an “old-fashioned” vented crawl space with a dirt floor and fiberglass insulation installed between crawl space ceiling joists, this is a guarantee of future problems. A vented crawl space brings high moisture conditions under the house, encouraging mold growth and accelerated rust on steel ducts and HVAC equipment located there. The moisture also reduces the R-value of fiberglass insulation and usually causes the insulation to fall onto the crawl space floor.

Call in a Foundation Repair Specialist Rather Than a General Contractor

General contractors who build home additions don’t have the training, tools or materials to make foundation repairs. Where a general contractor might recommend demolishing and rebuilding a settled slab or a bowing or tilting wall, a foundation repair specialist has the capability to correct these problems more quickly and less expensively. This is one case where calling in a specialist can save you money. Instead of demolition and replacement, a foundation repair contractor can usually stabilize and restore settled slabs or bowing walls by installing steel piers or wall anchors. These engineered solutions establish anchor points in stable soil outside or under the foundation, enabling the specialist to brace and elevate or pull the displaced element back to its original position.

Atlantic Basement Systems is the superior foundation repair company in Ottawa. They have been serving greater Ottawa, ON area since 1993.

First Things First in the Basement

Fri, January 27 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Barbara Green was getting impatient with her husband. “Remember our New Year’s resolution to remodel the basement?”

Bernie Green nodded, and tried to look apologetic. “I do. And I’ve been meaning to call John’s contractor friend who has does some basement remodeling jobs.”

“Well, what’s keeping you?” Barbara asked.

Bernie sighed and looked up from his laptop. “You know we get some wet spots in the back corner of the basement, where the slab floor is cracked. I’ve noticed that the crack is getting a little bigger, and I’m worried about more water coming in during the wet weather this spring.”

Barbara was undeterred. “Yes, I know about the crack,” she replied. “But that’s at the opposite end of the basement from where our new room will be. Why can’t we just get the contractor to patch the crack before he begins to build the new room?”

Discussions like this are fairly common, and could easily occur wherever basements are found. Many homeowners are interested in turning unfinished basement space into extra living space because they know it’s a very cost-effective way to gain extra living space.

Unfortunately, many basements have water problems. And even if the problem is minimal and located in a remote corner of the basement –like at the Green’s house—it’s important to solve the water problem before beginning a basement finishing project.

In the Green’s basement, a slab crack that changes size indicates more than a water problem. It’s a sign of unstable soil. Simply patching the crack, as Barbara Green suggests, will not stop the soil movement or subsequent foundation damage.

Unstable soil is surprisingly common. It can be due to natural conditions such as high clay content that causes soil to expand when wet and exert extreme pressure on foundation walls and slabs. It can be due to soil that wasn’t properly compacted and stabilized before footings and slaps were poured. It can also be due to a high water table that puts pressure on foundation walls. The average home remodeling contractor often has the skills to fill cracks or seal damp foundation walls. But he won’t be able to recognize soil problems or structural foundation problems and make permanent repairs using specialized products like wall anchors, helical piers and polymer injection. This work must be done by a foundation repair specialist.

The lesson here is that it’s important to do first things first in the basement. Stabilize the soil in the area where the crack is located so that a permanent repair can be made to the foundation. Complete waterproofing work to ensure that the basement will stay dry. Then proceed to finish the basement.

To complete this sequence of work, you need the expertise and resources that are only available from a full-service foundation specialist like Basement Systems. Basement Systems and its sister company, Foundation SupportWorks, offer the advantages of specialized training, engineering support to solve foundation problems, and a wide range of products designed for foundation repair, soil stabilization, waterproofing and basement finishing.

Atlantic Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair in Ottawa, and other surrounding areas. Visit them online for a free foundation repair estimate!

Winter Weather Can Mean Trouble for your Foundation

Fri, January 13 2012, 00:00:00 -500

OTTAWA, ONT – Winter is here, which means freezing temperatures, snow and ice. While soil contracts in the summer because of lack of moisture, the soil expands in the winter due to cold temperatures keeping more water and ice in the soil and causing the volume to increase. And when soil expands, it can push a foundation upward, which is also known as heave. Atlantic Basement Systems, a foundation repair company in Ottawa, has some information to share on fixing foundations in the winter or any season.

Heaving can cause cracks and bowing in foundation floors and walls. If these foundation problems are not repaired they can cause more damage to a structure over time. The good news is that skilled professional foundation repair contractors can repair a foundation in any season.

The experts at the national foundation repair network Foundation Supportworks write, “It is possible to excavate soil and install piers in winter conditions so damaged foundations can be repaired. Thanks to special admixtures, heating equipment and insulating materials, it’s even possible to pour concrete and make mortar repairs during cold weather.”

Foundation problems happen when the soil around your home changes. When a house is built on virgin soil, the soil that is dug out is later refilled around the foundation. This soil is loose and can settle over time. Water can pass through loose soil pretty easily and seep through a basement’s walls and floor through joists and cracks. Pressure from the earth can cause foundation walls to crack and bow.

Wall anchor systems are a good alternative to removing and rebuilding basement walls. With an interior wall plate, exterior anchor and a connecting steel wall, pressure is counteracted and the foundation walls are stabilized. Cracks in foundation or basement walls, a tilting chimney, interior wall cracking, and gaps in window or door frames can be solved using push piers. Hydraulically driven steel tubes and rugged steel brackets placed beneath existing footings can transfer a building’s weight from unstable soil to load-bearing piers.

Atlantic Basement Systems provides expert basement waterproofing, crawl space, and foundation repair in Ottawa and its many surrounding areas since 1993. Atlantic has repaired thousands of basement leaks and other basement water problems in Nepean, Ottawa, Orleans, Gloucester, Pembroke, Brockville, Kanata, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, Vanier, and the surrounding areas. They are members of the Basement Systems international network of highly trained "Certified Waterproofing Specialists" and "Crawl Space Environmental Specialists," as well as the nationally known Foundation Supportworks dealer network. For more information or for a free estimate, visit www.atlanticbasementsystems.ca.

Missing Kids Canada

Fri, October 28 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Our History

IIn 1985, the Canadian Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada announced a multi-faceted program to help police investigate missing children cases in Canada. One component of the program was the establishment of a Missing Children's Registry which was officially opened by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in August of 1986.

In 1986, at the same time that the Registry was established, Revenue Canada Customs (now known as Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) was developing a national missing children program. Since both Departments often worked together on files, it was determined that it would be beneficial to join forces, so that contacts, resources and ideas could be exchanged on a timely basis thus enhancing the protection of children. In July 1992, Revenue Canada Customs relocated their offices to the RCMP Missing Children's Registry.

In April 1993, Citizenship and Immigration Canada joined the Missing Children's Registry. Later in 1993, this joint forces operation officially became the "our missing children" program and comprised the RCMP's Missing Children's Registry, Revenue Canada's International Project Return and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

November 1996 brought the fourth partner to the "our missing children" program, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The department of Justice became the fifth partner of the program in 2001.

Over the years there have been a number of changes and reorganizations, the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada became Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.(PSEPC). Revenue Canada Customs and the majority of Citizenship and Immigration Canada formed the new Canada Border Services Agency and is part of PSEPC. In 2001, the Missing Children's Registry was re-named National Missing Children Services, as well the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has become simply the Department of Foreign Affairs. Since the amalgamation of Customs and Immigration the partners have been reduced to four.

Also, in the late 1990s, this program was recognized both nationally and internationally as a unique combination of differing government services whose aim is to protect our children.

In June 1996, the Canadian Government recognized the program with its Award of Excellence which recognizes the best, most exemplary contributions of the public service resulting from employee suggestions or the meritorious performance of duties.

In May 1999, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognized the program by giving the Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement to the partners. The award was established to recognize law enforcement's contribution and dedication to the quality of life in local communities. It was also designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and solutions to common law enforcement problems between agencies around the world.

Although each department has their own function, "our missing children" operates as one unit as Canada's National Clearinghouse for missing children. In this capacity, the unit is linked to all Canadian police and related agencies through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), U.S. police agencies through the National Crime Information Centre (NCIC), and most foreign police agencies through Interpol.

Collectively, the partnership that forms "our missing children" provides a unique and powerful force in locating and recovering missing children.

Objectives

To provide an investigative assistance service to all Canadian and foreign police agencies who request the assistance of the National Missing Children Services.
To assist police and searching agencies to locate, recover and return missing children and youth to their proper guardian.
To conduct research studies related to missing children and youth issues.
To analyze and report findings gleaned from the Canadian Police Information Centre and National Missing Children Services database on missing children and youth.
To produce and disseminate information relevant to the missing children and youth issues to police, searching agencies, government, media and the public.
To research, collect and analyse information and national statistical data on missing children.
To provide law-enforcement agencies with a source to quickly obtain accurate information on the status of any missing child.
To monitor the CPIC Missing Persons File to request or provide follow-up information and action on missing children investigations.
To assist law-enforcement agencies and other interested groups and organizations in obtaining information on missing children.
To facilitate the correlation of information by publishing documents such as national bulletins on missing children.
To coordinate and exchange information on prevention programs within the Canadian police community and groups searching for missing children.
To coordinate the Travel/Reunification Program which provides for the return of children abducted in Canada by a parent, using routes established by sponsoring companies.
To develop unique expertise in the area of missing children such as developing psychological profiling of paedophile and other socially deviant individuals who may be involved in the abduction/kidnapping of children.
To promote its networking and collaborative efforts with all countries but especially those belonging to the INTERPOL Network and those which are signatories to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
To contribute to international efforts to obtain support for a cooperative, global response to the issues of missing, abused and exploited children.
To develop specialized training and provide educational resources for police.

Our Functions

coordinates the investigations of missing children;
maintains and monitors files on missing children;
maintains and analyzes national data on the nature and scope of missing children;
conducts investigative and original research to assist police both nationally and internationally
acts as an information centre producing and distributing both nationally and internationally, bulletins, reports, newsletters, directories, resource materials and the findings of research studies;
works closely with the Canadian Border Services Agency in the investigation of missing children cases;
works closely with Employment and Immigation Canada in the investigation of missing children's cases
administers Department of Justice, Canada, Travel Program;
provides a photo aging service to all police and searching agencies who request the service;
networks and provides resource information to search and recovery agencies, the public and cooperate sectors involved in the search, recovery of missing children and related issues;
provides a network link for international investigative and information exchange;
cooperates with searching agencies in the search, recovery and return of the missing child.

Ottawa-Gatineau Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure - Sunday October 2nd

Tue, September 27 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Atlantic Basement Systems was proud to sponsor our Office Manager, Karen Walkling, who participated on Sunday 02 October 2011 in the Ottawa-Gatineau Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run. Karen completed the run successfully and with the support of the ABS Team this will be an annual event.
Thank you Karen !!

The ABS Team

Ottawa Terry Fox Run, Sunday September 18, 2011

Tue, September 27 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Atlantic Basement Systems this year as in past years supported the 2011 Terry Fox Run. We remain focused on staying involved with the Ottawa and area community.

The ABS Team

Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society - Ottawa Chapter Annual Golf Tournament 2012

Wed, June 6 2012, 00:00:00 -500

The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society Ottawa Chapter held its 15th Annual Golf Tournament on the 17 May 2012 at the Meadows Golf & Country Club. Atlantic Basement Systems was pleased to be one of the Corporate Sponsors for this event providing a donation for a hole sponsorship. We look forward to supporting this event in years to come.

The Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society is a volunteer organization and a national registered charity dedicated to raising funds for donor testing and increasing awareness on the importance of the One Match, a program of Canadian Blood Services. The Registry is a central repository responsible for the recruitment and matching of volunteer donors with patients requiring a stem cell transplant. The Society's head office is in Powell River, BC, with Chapters in British Columbia and Ottawa, ON, assisting in fund raising and public awareness objectives, to the benefit of the Donor Registry

The purpose of the Society is to engage in activities related to bone marrow transplants, including but not limited to the following:

Educating the public concerning matters associated with bone marrow transplants;
Increasing the number of names on the One Match Donor Registry;
Increasing the ethnic diversity represented on the One Match Donor Registry
Raising funds for the work of the One Match Donor Registry
Raising funds for research related to bone marrow transplants;
Raising funds for the testing of potential donors and recipients, or the performing of bone marrow transplants;
Providing assistance to bone marrow donors, recipients or their families

It is a pleasure and privilege to support the community at these events.

The ABS Team

Local Ontario Basement Waterproofing Contractor Earns Better Business Bureau Rating

Thu, August 25 2011, 00:00:00 -500

Ottawa, ON - Ontario company Atlantic Basement Systems earns A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Atlantic Basement Systems is focused on satisfying customers and their specific needs on each basement waterproofing project in the Ottawa, Pembroke, Cornwall, Brockville areas of Ontario. As a result of a culture of quality service and workmanship, Atlantic Basement Systems has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

This A+ rating gives consumers evidence that Atlantic Basement Systems abides by all eight BBB tenets including: a willingness to, “Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.”

Atlantic Basement Systems of Ontario works to gain the trust of customers and continues to make positive, healthy contributions to homes through their services.

Atlantic Basement Systems is a basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, foundation repair, and mold remediation company that was founded over 16 years ago. They have honed their skills using only certified contractors and technicians as well as quality Basement Systems products.

With more than 20 years in the basement waterproofing industry, Atlantic Basement Systems hopes to make a lasting, quality contribution to their customers’ lives.

Atlantic Basement Systems is a Basement Systems, Inc. dealer. Basement Systems, Inc. has been awarded 25 patents for the many unique waterproofing products developed specifically to prevent basement water damage and repair crawl spaces from damaging moisture problems. The company has won many awards and patents for their innovative products and services, including being a finalist for the national Better Business Bureau's prestigious National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Basement Systems has also won 22 quality and innovation prizes for products and services.

For more information about Atlantic Basement Systems or a free basement waterproofing or crawl space encapsulation quote in the Ottawa, Pembroke, Brockville, Ontario areas, contact us by phone or online.