Foundation

Basement Pros specializes in all types of foundation work.

Engineered Egress Windows

In order to comply with City of Winnipeg requirements for bedrooms, many homeowners are required to either add a new window or enlarge an existing window. The requirements are currently that the window must have an unobstructed opening with a minimum area of 0.35 m2 (3.77 sq. ft.) and no dimension less than 380 mm (1’-3”). In order to comply in the situation of a basement bedroom, foundation walls often need to be cut to accommodate the larger opening for the new window. A building permit is needed whenever you are looking to alter your foundation walls and an engineered drawing is needed in order to comply with the requirements for the building permit. Basement Pros covers every part of the project from first site visit to final city inspection. The typical scope of work you can expect in order to comply with City requirements for a standard egress window is:

Engineered drawings for altering your foundation wall

City of Winnipeg Building Permit

Controlled removal of finishings and framing around future opening

Excavate outside to accommodate concrete tools and future window well

Cut foundation wall to accommodate proposed window rough opening

Install engineered framing spec for new opening according to approved drawings

Install window using a specified installation method with an emphasis on sealing between building materials to create a waterproof seal at every level

Seal and insulate window

Install flashing and window trim to exterior of window

Install window well with a 30” projection from foundation wall to accommodate egress requirements

Install drain pipe in window well tying into weeping tile drainage system below

Backfill around window well with dirt, with proper grading to divert water away from the window well

Fill window well and drain pipe with drain stone up until 6” below the window

Reframe inside wall to accommodate new window size

Insulate, install vapor barrier, seal new wall section

Drywall, mud, tape, and paint

Install window finishings

Caulk and touch up paint

Foundation Repair

Crack Repair

There are two major distinctions in cracks in concrete foundation walls. The distinction is whether the cracks are structural in nature or not. A site visit is required to decide if a crack is structural or not.

Non structural cracks:
These cracks should be repaired because though they aren’t the source of any structural concerns, they can often become a source of water penetration in your basement. The standard repair procedures for these cracks involve an exterior and interior option depending on what is accessible and within the homeowner’s budget. From the interior we can inject the crack with a flexible Polyurethane grout that will fill and seal the crack as a long-term effective sealing option. From the exterior we can excavate the area with the crack, clean the concrete foundation wall, install a waterproof membrane, install a dimple membrane to increase water mobility next to your foundation and to protect the waterproof membrane, and then backfill properly, grading to facilitate water flow away from the foundation.

Structural cracks:
Structural cracks come with more baggage. The work is similar to non-structural cracks but with very important additions:

  • Injections are still used but it is generally a two-part resin epoxy complying with engineered requirements that is injected into the foundation crack.
  • Excavation is also a very effective step where it is an option. In addition to excavating and installing waterproof membrane and dimple membrane, backfilling will be done with drain stone to a certain height against the foundation wall to limit the amount of pressure that can build against the wall.
  • Steel reinforcement is generally needed as well. Steel at an engineered size and spacing will be installed inside supporting the cracked foundation wall.

Waterproofing

There are a few steps we can take to waterproof your basement. The steps needed will vary depending on the house. Any or all of these steps may be required.
Excavate whole sections of the foundation. In this step, there is substantial scope overflow into other trades, such as carpentry, landscaping, electrical, and mechanical:

  • Walkways and steps removed
  • Decks partially deconstructed
  • Buried electrical wires disconnected and reconnected
  • A/C units disconnected and moved while excavating and then reconnected once work has been completed
  • The list can go on depending on the specifics of any given home

Wrap foundation

  • Prepare foundation walls
    Install blue skin membrane to waterproof the foundation
  • Install a dimple membrane to protect the waterproof membrane

Repair/Replace weeping tile

  • While weeping tile is exposed is the ideal time to replace lengths of it or even install weeping tile where it had not been before.

Backfill using drain stone

  • Backfill the trench against the house primarily with drain stone. This makes the pressure that builds against the wall to be less than if it were entirely dirt, as drain stone does not pack and mud does. It also provides additional help to the drainage system, encouraging water to flow straight into the system.

Underpin Foundation

Underpinning is a method of installing piles under an existing home to stop its foundation from sinking. While we traditionally used poured-in-place concrete piles, we now use screw piles to achieve the same ends but with less labour and less mess. The loads and organization of piles are always specified by an engineer and their plans are followed to ensure desired results. For a specialized install experience, we partner with Reisen Piling in all of our underpinning projects.