Does something feel… off in your house? Maybe doors stick in their frames for no reason, windows are suddenly hard to open, or you notice a definite slope when you walk across the living room floor. These aren’t just quirks your house is developing; they can be tell-tale signs that your home’s foundation might be settling unevenly, meaning parts of your house are sinking.
It’s an unsettling thought, for sure. Your home is likely your most significant investment, and seeing the foundation sinking is painful. But ignoring the signs won’t make them go away. The good news is that there are safe and effective solutions, and house leveling is often the answer. Let’s talk about what it is and why getting it done professionally is so important here in Ontario.
Is Your Home Sending SOS Signals? Recognizing the Signs of Settling
How do you know if your house actually needs leveling? It’s not always dramatic; sometimes, the signs are subtle at first. Keep an eye out for these common indicators:
- The Initial Cracks: Look for new or worsening cracks in interior walls, especially above doorframes and window frames, and exterior walls, in which brickwork or siding might show stair-step or vertical cracks.
- Foundation Walls: Both poured concrete and block foundations can crack when settling occurs.
- Sticky Situations (Doors & Windows): Doors that jam or won’t latch properly and windows that are difficult to open or close often signal that the frames are out of square due to foundation movement.
- Sloping or Uneven Floors: Do you feel like you’re walking uphill in certain rooms? Do objects roll across the floor? Uneven floors are a classic sign of foundation settling.
- Gaps Around Frames: Noticeable gaps appearing between window or door frames and the actual wall can indicate shifting.
- Chimney Separation: If your chimney seems to be pulling away from the rest of the house, it’s a serious sign of foundation movement.
The Culprits – Why Do Ontario Homes Settle?
The good, or bad news, depending upon how you take it, is that this is a common phenomenon in almost all homes in the Ontario province. But why after all? This is because of a few reasons:
- Soil Type: The soil in Ontario is actually really good for plantation but equally bad for residential and commercial properties. Expansive clay soils, common in many parts of the province, swell when wet and shrink dramatically when dry. This constant movement can cause foundations to shift.
- Water Issues: Poor drainage around your foundation, plumbing leaks, or even drought conditions followed by heavy rain can saturate or dry out the soil unevenly, leading to settling.
- Initial Construction: The nature is not always the culprit; sometimes, the ground isn’t properly compacted before the foundation is poured.
- Time and Gravity: The gravity is responsible for us standing on the ground and also letting your house down when the oil beneath it softens.
House Leveling Services Aren’t Simple Jack Up Your House- They Are a Proper Process
A simple solution would be to put a monster-size jack under your house before the construction and cranking it up when needed, right? Well, no. This isn’t some cartoon; this is real life. House leveling services are a precise process designed to lift and stabilize the settled parts of your foundation, bringing the structure back as close as possible to its original level position.
Leveling Your House – The Process
The specific method involved in house leveling services depends on the type of foundation and the cause of the settling, but it often involves:
- Foundation Piers: Installing steel piers (like push piers or helical piers) deep into the stable soil beneath the unstable sections of your foundation. Hydraulic jacks are then used to carefully lift the foundation using these piers as support points.
- Mudjacking/Slabjacking: For concrete slab foundations, this involves pumping a grout mixture under the slab to fill voids and lift it back into place.
- Shimming and Adjustments: For pier and beam foundations, adjustments might involve adding shims or replacing damaged support components.
It’s a careful, controlled process that requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
Choosing Your Leveling Team – The Ontario Checklist
Finding the right contractor is critical. Look for:
- Specialized Experience: Choose a company that focuses specifically on foundation repair and house leveling in Ontario.
- Proper Credentials: Ensure they are licensed and fully insured (liability and WSIB).
- Thorough Assessment: They should perform a detailed inspection before recommending a solution.
- Clear, Written Proposal: Get everything in writing – scope, method, cost, timeline, warranty.
- Solid References & Reviews: Check their reputation thoroughly.
- Strong Warranty: Understand the warranty offered on their work.
Think Your Ontario Home Needs Leveling? Contact The TruBuild Contracting Pros
Don’t let foundation worries weigh you down; contact the pros at TruBuild Contracting. We provide thorough assessments, clear explanations, and reliable solutions designed for long-term stability across Ontario. Our experienced team uses proven techniques to safely restore your home’s foundation. Contact TruBuild Contracting today for a professional evaluation and a detailed quote. Let us help you get your home back on solid ground. Visit our website at https://trubuildcontracting.ca/ or give us a call at (613) 438-8570. You earned the house with hard work; you deserve the best service for that.
