Bowing Foundation Wall Repair in Ottawa

A solid foundation is the key to any successful endeavour, but what happens if your home’s foundation begins to bow inward? With trusted service, expert technicians, and a 10 year, transferable warranty, Summit Drain stands by our bowed wall repair in Ottawa so your home can continue to stand.

Signs of Bowing Foundation Walls

Cracking – horizontal cracks along the wall and diagonal cracks in the corners are strong indicators.
Doors and Windows – a bowing wall may make doors and windows stick in their frames.
Bulging – a visible bulge in the wall particularly along the bottom is a serious warning sign.
Other signs could include uneven floors, water leaks, or sagging ceilings.

When Should You Be Concerned with Bowing Walls?

There is never time to procrastinate with the possibility of bowing walls. From the first time you notice any warning signs as listed above, it is important to take action. Any bowing from 1cm should be a concern, and bowing that exceeds 2 cm needs to be repaired immediately.

Our Bowed Wall Repairs in Ottawa

Repairing a bowing wall comes in several stages. After determining there is a bow to the wall, vertical carbon fibre straps are to be fixed to the wall.

First, the wall is prepped by grinding clean paths on the wall at approximately 1 metre intervals for the vertical straps to adhere to. Horizontal and diagonal cracks are fixed with either an epoxy or polyurethane injection. Then, a sill plate at the top of the wall and a footing plate on the floor are attached along the clean paths.

Next, the carbon fibre is mounted to the wall, and epoxy is applied to solidly stick it fast to the wall. Finally, the carbon fibre is secured to the sill plate above and the footing below. The hardening epoxy-saturated carbon fibre becomes a permanent attachment that stops any further movement in the wall.

Contact our team to get started.

How Much Does Bowing Basement Wall Repair Cost?

Repairing a bowing foundation wall costs will vary in price depending on how many walls there are and how many straps will be needed. In general, each carbon fibre strap costs between $700-800. When placed approximately 1 metre apart on the affected walls, the repair cost, including labour, may rise to between $3,000-5,000. This could be considered a minor price to pay to keep your foundation wall from falling in on itself.

What You Get with Summit Drain

Summit Drain & Plumbing is a leading provider of trustworthy plumbing and drain services in Ottawa, having been in business for more than 15 years. From installing backup sump pumps to replacing sewer lines, we are experts in a variety of services. When collaborating with our team of experts, you may anticipate:

Top-tier customer service

Licensed professionals

24-7 emergency services

Honest and fair rates

Call Summit Drain for Reliable Bowed Wall Repairs in Ottawa

The first step is to notice that a foundation wall is bowing. The last step is to call Summit Drain. We are standing by to fix your wall before the worst happens. Call us today to have us professionally evaluate your situation before your home is rocked to its very foundations.

Don’t hesitate and call us today for a free estimate!

FAQ

A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.

If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.

You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.

There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.

If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.

Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.

There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:

Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.

Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.

Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.

Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.

Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.

When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.

Rock salt
Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.

Foaming root killers
Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.

Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.

Should I replace old pipes?
There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.