BOL-DAN’s Blog

As summer turns to fall and then fall turns to winter there are likely a lot of seasonal projects on your to-do list. You need to rake the leaves or put away your outdoor furniture. But have you considered what you can do to protect the foundation of your home? Changes in temperature can cause the foundation to crack or deteriorate over time. But if you take the proper precautions, you can avoid significant damage to the foundation. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to protect your foundation.

Having a home is a great feeling, but it also comes with great responsibility. Homeowners must play their part to ensure proper house maintenance, but sometimes, even when the utmost care is taken, things can go wrong. Foundation cracks and basement leaks are two things that commonly occur in many homes. These issues can be a major inconvenience, especially if they happen unexpectedly, and the root cause is not immediately clear.
Today we'll examine some common causes of basement leaks and foundation cracks, how to remedy them, and when it might be time to call in the pros.

The weight of an average, unfurnished house is about 50 tons. Your average foundation will be close to 7.5 tons. Your foundation, then, is under immense stress, even from its own weight. Thankfully, a block foundation is one of the most common kinds of foundations and is more than up to the task. Over the years even a good, strong foundation needs attention. Especially if you have: Foundation cracks, Warped ceilings and walls, Signs of structural damage or warping, or Water damage. 
You may wonder how to reinforce a concrete block foundation if you have these problems or others.

Keep reading to know how to reinforce a block foundation. If you're wondering "what is a concrete block foundation," we can help you with that too!

We don't expect your foundation will last quite so long as Notre Dame's — more than 858 years. Foundations are meant to take a lot of weight for the lifetime of the structure, but some may need a little help over the years.

For people selling or buying a home, a home foundation inspection is an essential step of verifying the home is safe and the price is right. Also, if you start seeing signs of a foundation in distress you'll want to get an inspection.

So what should you expect from an inspection? Is it going to be invasive? How can you tell you really need work on your foundation to be done?

Keep reading to see the answers to those questions and more!

Foundation problems may impact the structural integrity of your house and reduce its market value. The strength of a building lies in its foundation. Strong foundations are essential to protect the building and its occupants during natural calamities such as earthquake and floods. An average foundation repair costs anywhere between $5000 to $7000. While major repairs may cost you tens of thousands of dollars, regular inspections can help you determine any potential foundation issues. Bol-Dan Foundation & Masonry Inc, offers foundation repairs in Ottawa and the Outaouais region.

Basements are damp and dark places and commonly have moisture problems which are usually not understood or properly treated. From toxic mould that is unhealthy to structural damage, moisture can result in major issues for your home. This is where the importance of basement waterproofing comes in.

While your yard may benefit from the warmer weather and rainfall that typically occurs in spring, these same conditions could spell disaster for your basement. Basement leaks can lead to flooding and necessitate expensive clean-ups and repairs. In addition, this scenario can result in mould growth, which is a serious health hazard. To avoid dealing with a wet basement in your Ottawa home, Bol-Dan Foundation & Masonry has put together an inspection checklist for homeowners.

You can apply a veneer brick, 1 to 1 ½” thick, glued to the wall to create a non-weighted wall with no mortar joints. Alternatively, you need to make sure you have proper support to hold the weight of the masonry concrete hearth or angle iron.

Keeping water away from the foundation walls of your Ottawa home is an important step in preventing mould, mildew, damage and flooding. One strategy to divert water away from homes and buildings that’s been trusted for centuries is the weeping tile system. Keep reading to learn more.

Does your basement smell musty or mouldy all the time? Can you feel the humidity in the air? If so, you may have a leaky foundation on your hands. Keep reading for a few tips on how to fix a leaky foundation wall yourself, and when it’s time to call the professionals for complete foundation waterproofing in Ottawa.

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Your home’s foundation is one of the most important features that keep your house from tumbling down into a heap of nothing. At BOL-DAN, our team of trained professionals specialize in home foundation repair in Ottawa. When you own a home, it’s important to know what kind of foundation you have, the signs of wear, when to inspect it and the different ways you can go about repairing it. Let us show you a few different tips that could help you figure out when it’s time to have your foundation repaired.

Brick is a beautiful and durable material that under ideal conditions can last the entire lifespan of the attached structure. Unfortunately, our vastly fluctuating Ontario temperatures and abundant precipitation can take a toll on the masonry here in Ottawa. Add to that any deficiency in the bricks used or the process of their erection and you may start to see defects in your building. These are the four most common problems encountered in brick masonry and what to do about them.

Ottawa is a historic Canadian city in a region where older Victorian homes meet new modern developments. With its own share of character, Ottawa has neighbourhoods such as the Glebe, Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South. The simple yet statuesque homes in these areas were largely built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when red brick was the surface material of choice.