Exterior works
Foundation repairs
Foundation repair in Hamilton
Cracks, moisture or crumbling masonry around your foundation are worth having properly assessed. Novastone repairs and restores residential foundations across Hamilton and the surrounding area.
What this involves
Your foundation carries the whole house, and it is also the part you see least. Problems tend to show up as small signs first: a crack in the wall, a damp patch, mortar falling out of a joint, a gap where there did not used to be one. Many of these are minor. Some are not. The sensible first step is to have the area looked at by someone who repairs foundations and masonry for a living.
Hamilton homes face a lot of freeze–thaw cycling and road salt, and many were built decades ago. Block, brick, stone and poured concrete all age differently, and a repair that suits one will not suit another. We look at what the foundation is made of, what has happened to it and where water is getting in before we recommend any work.
Some cracks are minor, while others can indicate movement or deterioration. If you are unsure, having the area assessed can help determine what action may be required. Where we think a problem is structural, we will say so plainly and recommend input from a structural engineer.
Warning signs
Common signs worth getting looked at
Some cracks are minor, while others can indicate movement or deterioration. If you’re unsure, having the area assessed can help determine what action may be required.
- 01
Foundation cracks
Hairline cracks are common and often cosmetic. Wider, growing or leaking cracks are worth assessing.
- 02
Stair-step cracking
Cracks that follow the mortar joints of block or brick in a stair-step pattern can point to movement.
- 03
Deteriorating masonry
Flaking, spalling or softened brick, block and stone, especially near ground level.
- 04
Water intrusion
Damp patches, staining, or water visible after rain or snowmelt.
- 05
Bowing or movement
Walls that lean or bow, or sections that appear to have shifted.
- 06
Crumbling concrete or mortar
Sandy, powdery or missing mortar, and concrete that breaks away when touched.
- 07
Basement moisture
A persistent damp smell, white mineral deposits (efflorescence) or peeling finishes.
- 08
Gaps around the structure
Openings where steps, porches, door frames or windows meet the house.
This is general information, not engineering advice. Every property is different, and an on-site look is the only reliable way to know what is going on.
Below the surface
What’s happening
below your home?
- 01Above ground
A home rests on what you cannot see
The weight of the house is carried by a foundation most owners rarely look at.
- 02Below ground
The foundation, revealed
Footings, foundation walls and the slab, built from concrete, block, brick or stone depending on the age of the home.
- 03Cracking & water
Where trouble can start
Cracks and water entry are among the most common signs. Many are minor; some are worth a closer look.
- 04Deterioration & movement
When it goes further
Crumbling masonry and signs of movement are more reason to have the wall assessed rather than ignored.
- 05Assess
Work out what is really happening
We look at the wall, the grade and the water path, and explain the realistic options.
Send photos for a quote - 06Repair
Repair the cause and the damage
Cracks, masonry and mortar repaired, with sealing and drainage details addressed where they apply.
- 07Restore
Finished, protected and maintainable
The wall is restored to a sound condition and left tidy, ready to be looked after.
Illustration only. It shows common problems in general terms and is not engineering advice.
Scope of work
- 01
Crack repair
Preparing and repairing cracks in poured concrete, block and masonry, using methods suited to the cause.
- 02
Masonry and block repair
Replacing or rebuilding damaged block, brick and stone in foundation walls.
- 03
Mortar repair
Repointing open or failing joints with a mortar suited to the wall.
- 04
Deteriorated surfaces
Restoring spalled or crumbling concrete and parging where the underlying wall is sound.
- 05
Water-related repair work
Exposing the wall where needed and addressing sealing, grading and drainage details around it.
- 06
Rebuilding damaged sections
Taking out and rebuilding sections of masonry that cannot be repaired in place.
When to call us
Call us if you have noticed a new crack, a crack that has grown, water coming in, mortar or masonry breaking down, or a change around a porch, step or wall. Early assessment usually means more options, and photos sent through the form help us tell you what we think before the visit.
How we approach it
- 01Assess: we look at the wall, the surrounding grade and drainage, and where moisture is coming from.
- 02Explain: you get a plain-language view of what we found and what the realistic options are.
- 03Repair: the work is carried out to a written scope, with the site protected and kept tidy.
- 04Restore: finishing, making good and leaving the wall in a condition that can be maintained.
Related projects
All projectsNovastone work
Foundation and masonry work on site
Real Novastone photographs: exposing a foundation wall and carrying out demolition at the base of a house.
Foundation repair: common questions
Does every crack mean my foundation is failing?
No. Many cracks are minor, such as shrinkage cracks in concrete. What matters is the width, the direction, whether it is growing and whether water comes through. An assessment helps separate the harmless from the ones that need action.
Can you help with a wet basement?
Water entry is often connected to the foundation wall, the grade around the house or the drainage details. We look at all three and can carry out the repair and sealing work that suits the situation. If a larger scope or another specialist is appropriate, we will tell you.
Can I send photos before you visit?
Yes, and we encourage it. Use the form below to upload photos of the damage and tell us what you have noticed.
What will it cost?
It depends entirely on what is found and the access involved. We give a written quote after seeing the work, and the quote is free.
Do I need a permit?
Cosmetic and localized repairs often do not, but structural work can. We will let you know what we think applies to your job.
Free quote
Noticed foundation damage?
Send photos and tell us what you have noticed. We will get back to you about a site visit.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 (289) 698-4197