How Permanent Concrete Foundation Repairs Are From Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting

14. Jun 2022 Admin Saskatoon Contractors, Trusted Tips

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan. In addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon tip, K & S Contracting, Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors, and foundation specialists, discuss if concrete foundation repairs are permanent.

Are Concrete Foundation Repairs Permanent?

Remember that not every crack, chip, or spalling is the same, and there is never such a thing as a “permanent” solution to any foundation damage! Changing soil conditions, extreme weather conditions, and a new construction project near your home can result in future foundation damage. Adding to your home’s weight, such as an attached sunroom without underpinning or otherwise strengthening a foundation can also mean eventual damage.

However, some foundation repair methods are more durable than others and should last for several decades. To better understand your foundation repair choices and their overall longevity, review below:

CONCRETE PIERS

Concrete piers are often installed during the pre-construction phase of homebuilding, and these help support a foundation as it’s being poured and then setting and curing. These piers are also used for sinking foundations, lifting them up and providing added support. Concrete piers are durable and last for decades.

STEEL PIERS

Steel piers are similar to concrete piers but are easier to work with and can be installed more readily; concrete requires pouring while fresh, which can require disturbing far more landscaping and lawn than simple steel piers. Steel is also more impervious to moisture and added weight than concrete piers.

HELICAL PIERS

Helical piers look somewhat like giant screws and are screwed deeply into the earth, section by section if necessary. They are screwed into the ground until it’s proven that the area can properly hold the required bearing capacity of the structure. Helical piles are a relatively quick, economical foundational solution that provides stability and strength to foundations. They especially come in handy when there is structural damage to a foundation.

POLY LIFT

A poly lift is also a popular way of repairing a sinking foundation; this includes injecting special polyurethane foam into the ground, under the broken foundation section. As the foam dries and hardens, it lifts the foundation into place and restores it to a level and even position. This poly foam doesn’t deteriorate or weaken over time, so it’s typically considered a permanent foundation repair solution.

CONCRETE SEALANTS AND EPOXY

Foundation crack sealants and epoxies help fill in cracks and holes that may appear in the foundation of a home. These cracks can result from many factors, including shifting soil, settling foundations, or even water erosion. Foundation crack sealant lasts for approximately 5-7 years.

While Steve has discussed are concrete foundation repairs permanent, it really depends on what is going on around your home and its foundation. We recommend if you have any concerns, call Steve.

K & S Contracting is a Trusted Saskatoon General Contractor and foundation specialists.

Their services include:

For more information about K&S Contracting, view their listing in the Contractors section on Trusted Saskatoon.

Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting Discuss Concrete Foundation Cracks

14. Jun 2022 Admin Saskatoon Contractors, Trusted Tips

Concreate Foundation Cracks, What Do They Mean?

When you see a crack in your concrete slab or wall, generally your first assumption is something has been done wrong–but that’s not always the case. Concrete cracks are very common, some are even inevitable, but let’s review them:

BASEMENT FLOOR CRACKS

Floor cracks in concrete slabs are relatively common and usually not worrisome on a structural level. They should be repaired to prevent common issues like moisture, insects, and damage from seeping through. When floor cracks leak, it is usually caused by hydrostatic pressure or a high water table. Therefore, sealing the crack will redirect those issues elsewhere.

VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS

Usually, a diagonal or vertical crack in the foundation wall is the result of settling in the concrete foundation and is quite common in new construction, especially if your home is built on a hill or your home has rapidly deteriorating soil conditions because of drought or heavy rainfalls. They usually run vertically or diagonally, are often located in the middle section of walls and are less than 1/8 in wide.

Frequently you will find vertical cracks in block foundations. If the crack is located closer to a corner and is wider than 1/8 in, it is probably not due to shrinkage but indicates a more serious foundation issue. It is recommended you call K & S Contracting to get it inspected as it may be a cause for concern.

HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS

Horizontal cracks that run across your foundation and/or walls are some of the most serious types your home can suffer. They indicate a severe issue with your foundation’s integrity that must be looked into.

Most horizontal cracks are caused by excessive water pressure from outside. In addition to other sources of pressure such as soil movement, it has the potential to impact your foundation’s integrity. They tend to expand and ruin the slab itself, possibly even causing it to collapse.

STAIR STEP CRACKS

Stair step cracks are among the most common foundation cracks. These cracks are a clear sign of a problematic foundation. Typically, stair step cracks in a block foundation are a result of bowing walls. These cracks will be found toward the corners of the foundation, and are often found with a horizontal crack. In a block foundation, stair step cracks may also be found on the outside of the home. Stair step cracks always require further investigation in order to keep your home safe and supported.

Curious about the myths and facts of foundation repairs, check out the following post from Steve.

Questions or concerns, about your concrete foundation cracks, and what they mean, please contact K & S Contracting.

K & S Contracting is a Trusted Saskatoon General Contractor and foundation specialists.

Their services include:

For more information about K&S Contracting, view their listing in the Contractors section on Trusted Saskatoon.

Trusted Saskatoon Contractors K & S Contracting Share Information About Vermiculite Insulation

12. Aug 2020 Admin Saskatoon Contractors, Trusted Tips

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan, in addition, they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and the surrounding area. In their latest Trusted Saskatoon contractor tip, K & S Contracting Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors and foundation specialists, discuss vermiculite insulation.

Vermiculite Insulation - What Is It?

If you have never seen vermiculite insulating an attic, it looks similar to little squares of coloured glass or little grey beads. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral worldwide. When heated rapidly to high temperatures, this crystalline mineral expands into low density, accordion-like, golden brown strands. In fact, its worm-like shape is what gives vermiculite its name. The worms are broken into rectangular chunks about the size of the eraser on the end of a pencil. In addition to being light, vermiculite chunks are also absorbent and fire retardant. It also makes a good insulating material.

Where Was It Used?

Sold under various brand names, such as Zonolite Attic Insulation, the insulation came in big bags. Thousands of homeowners simply opened the bags and poured the vermiculite onto their attic floor and sometimes down exterior walls. It was generally not used in new construction.

When Was It Used?

Worldwide, vermiculite has been used in various industries as long ago as 1920. With the upsurge in homeownership during the baby boom, vermiculite insulation was a popular material in the 1950s and continued with the energy crisis into the late 1970s. In Canada, it was one of the insulating materials allowed under the Canadian Home Insulation Program from about 1976 to the mid-1980s. There have been some government-provided grants offered to homeowners to increase insulation levels, reducing energy consumption. Worthwhile checking in to see what may be available.

What Is The Problem?

The majority of the vermiculite used worldwide was from a mine in Libby, Montana, owned and operated since 1963 by W.R. Grace. The mine was closed in 1990. As well as being rich in vermiculite, this mine had the misfortune of having a deposit of tremolite, a type of asbestos. When the vermiculite was extracted, some tremolite came in with the mix. For Canadian use, the raw product from the Libby mine was shipped to Grace subsidiary F. Hyde processing plants in Montreal, St. Thomas, Ajax and Toronto, and Grant Industries in western Canada. At these plants, it was processed and sold as Zonolite.

What Is The Risk?

Asbestos minerals tend to separate into microscopic particles that become airborne and are easily inhaled. People exposed to asbestos in the workplace have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer. Workers in and around the Libby mine developed serious health problems.

Like any hazards, length and intensity of exposure are major factors in the risk of asbestos-related respiratory illness. To assess the risk of asbestos exposure at a house, a sample of the vermiculite would need to be analyzed by a lab. Since most of the vermiculite used in Canada was taken from the Libby mine, the odds are quite good that there is asbestos in the vermiculite in Canadian attics.

The good news is that we don’t live in our attics. In addition, as long as it is undisturbed, neither the asbestos fibres bound up in the vermiculite chunks nor the dust will be released into the air. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the U.S., “Most people who get asbestos-related diseases have been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time.” Lastly, most of the time the air in your house flows from the house into the attic, rather than into the house from the attic.

The bottom line is, like most household products that may contain asbestos, and there are many, doing nothing is often the best approach. Naturally, the risk of exposure increases with the amount of time spent in the attic.

Our Recommendations

If the attic or walls of a house contain vermiculite insulation, leave it alone. Avoid disturbing the material. Do not sweep it or vacuum it up. Do not store belongings in the attic.

If work is planned that involves these areas, for example installing pot-lights in a room below the attic, send a sample of the vermiculite to a private lab. Send several samples, and use a lab specializing in asbestos analysis. If it is found to contain asbestos, or if you just assume it does, precautions should be taken. The safest approach would be to have the insulation in the affected areas removed by a qualified environmental contractor.

For smaller jobs, it may be sufficient to isolate work areas with temporary barriers or enclosures to avoid spreading fibres, use disposable protective clothing, and use proper respiratory protection. An important note – disposable respirators or dust masks are not appropriate for asbestos. Again, it is best to consult a qualified contractor.

For more information about K&S Contracting, view their listing in the Contractors section on Trusted Saskatoon.

K & S Contracting is a Trusted Saskatoon General Contractor and foundation specialist.

Trusted Founder Shares A Personal Experience With A Roofing Company That Would Never Qualify For Trusted Saskatoon

18. Nov 2019 Nat Saskatoon Roofers, Trusted Partner News, Trusted Tips

When I started Trusted Saskatoon back in 2011, my aim was to create a website where consumers could find TRUSTWORTHY locally owned businesses who operate with integrity. I had suffered a few times from negative experiences and felt that there was something missing that prevented people being ripped off. I recently experienced first-hand ( again) the exact reason why I was driven to create www.trustedsaskatoon.com, as a real resource to protect and help YOU the consumer who is choosing where to spend your hard earned money!

Sara Shares A Real Life Roofing Story

Not long ago I returned home to find that a local 'cedar shake expert' roofing company had stopped by. They spoke to a family member in my absence and delivered a flyer, product brochure, business card and a detailed $12,500 quote for a new roof. I had not requested a quote, however the company representative said they wanted to provide it to us as a courtesy as they were concerned for us. They noted that this was their recommendation based on the many issues they could see whilst working on our neighbours roof. The company had been next door for a few days repairing and re-roofing the roof and they said that had given them an excellent opportunity to see the issues on our roof. Even better, because they were in the area, they would do it for a special reduced price – how kind of them!

Unfortunately for this roofing company, they pitched their quote to the wrong homeowners...

Being the owner of Trusted for nearly 9 years, means that I have learnt a lot of best practices when it comes to quoting. In addition to that, I have lots of people sharing with me who NOT to trust in Saskatoon. This company has been mentioned to me at least a dozen times over the years, so I was bound to be suspicious of the quote and the motivations behind it.

Naturally, I wanted to find out whether these roofing ‘experts’ were right about the issues with my roof, so I called one of our Trusted Saskatoon Roofers, Scott Roofing to take a look.

Scott Roofing

Scott Roofing has over 30 years years of experience in the Saskatoon roofing industry and they are the first roofing choice for many of Saskatoon's top contractors. Owner, Scott Landru has extensive roofing experience, skills and knowledge.They have proven track record and we know them to be a trustworthy reliable roofing contractor for both builders and homeowners who value friendly service and honest advice.

A Roof Inspection

Scott visited my house with some team members, and inspected my roof from ground level as well as from on the roof itself. They also checked via a drone to make very sure they had done a thorough job. After a few days he sent over the report and a quote that I have attached below.

Please note that the roof showed “signs of normal wear due to ageing”, but that it still had a “projected remaining life expectancy of 15-25 years” so in his expert opinion there would be no reason to complete a roof replacement or any repairs any time soon.

Scott’s information raised the question, WHY would this other roofing company give us a quote for $12,500 for a new roof when there was nothing wrong with it? Was this just a genuine mistake, or was there something a bit more sinister to the story?

WHY You Should Always Do Your Due Diligence

Upon further investigation, they have 19 (yes,19) cases against them due to issues with past jobs, so it is clear that there is a trend beginning to appear with this business.. They are NOT trustworthy.

Roofers are often seen as untrustworthy by homeowners, as there have been too many stories like this of people being scared into thinking that their most valuable asset is going to be wrecked by a roof that is in 'desperate' need of a replacement. To add to the problem, few Canadians make the necessary verifications, such as ensuring the company they are signing with legally exists (16%), has proper insurance (19%), a business licence (27%), and a clean legal history (14%). This exacerbates the problem and leads to people being ripped off unnecessarily.

So, what point am I trying to make by sharing my experience??

I want to emphasize that you should ALWAYS shop around and get at least 2 or 3 quotes whenever you need a job done, to ensure that you do not get ripped off by a disreputable contractor or business owner. Alternatively, you can cut out all that leg work and save time and stress, simply visit Trusted Saskatoon, where you can find a Trusted Saskatoon businesses in 40 categories. We KNOW them, we care about them AND you the consumer. We have checked them out for you and we work with them to maintain standards. They share their experience and advice with you in articles like this - we have collected over 1000 helpful articles in our Trusted Saskatoon library . We GUARANTEE that we only promote trustworthy integrity driven locally owned businesses who are invested in our community and will always complete work to the highest quality for a fair price on time!

I will not name the other roofing company - that is not my role- Trusted is here to support and promote the businesses we partner with, those operating in line with our Trusted Guarantees. We stand by them and so do all of our other wonderful Trusted Saskatoon partners.

5 Trusted Guarantees

Provide the service and quality promised.
Complete the job on time.
Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.
Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.
Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind.

Scott Roofing is a Trusted Saskatoon Roofer

Trusted Saskatoon Roofer Scott Roofing Mystery Shop!

21. Aug 2019 Ally Saskatoon Contractors, Saskatoon Directory, Saskatoon Roofers, Trusted Partner News, Trusted Tips

Being a Trusted Business on the Trusted Saskatoon Directory of Excellence comes with a lot of responsibility - no other directory, advertising medium, or 'watchdog organization' puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them.

Why Choose a Business On the Trusted Saskatoon Directory?

All of the Trusted Saskatoon partners have to pass a unique verification process, they are then annually contracted to uphold our 5 Trusted Guarantees. The partners then become part of a local community of Saskatoon and area businesses who we promote with a strong local marketing campaign. We also have a Trusted MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM. This is where we find and engage with normal everyday people, just like you, who are looking for products and services in Saskatoon and area. We approach individuals we can see are looking for a local business and we ask them to mystery shop Trusted Saskatoon Partners. Those that agree to be Trusted mystery shoppers go about their usual business, except at the end they fill out a report to tell us about the experience. We then share it with you! The Trusted Saskatoon Team are thrilled to share our latest mystery shop report about Scott Roofing!

Mystery Shop Scott Roofing

Name of Shopper: Brett B

1. How was the greeting/welcome/call answered?

Promptly and professionally. I had someone booked for an inspection and quote within minutes.

2. Product industry knowledge of staff?

Scott had multiple samples available and was able to source my roof needs without delay.

4. If a quote is required is it well laid out / clear?

Yes, it was delivered quickly and the information on the quote was clear.

5. Did they ask where you found them?

Yes

6. Overall experience 1-10

10 out of 10

7. Would you return/recommend?

Yes.

8. Did anyone stand out as exceptional?

Yes, Scott.

9. If you made a purchase or booked a job, how was the process?

See below

Did they uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees?

Provide the service and quality promised - Yes
Complete the job on time - yes
Change the price quoted with no surprises - yes
Communicate.honestly and be responsive to customer needs - yes
Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind - yes

Please share any other comments relating to your experience with the company.

"This was an interesting test for Scott Roofing because of some strange circumstances which they handled very well.The roofing material loader (a 3rd party company - not Scott Roofing) - fell through my roof when delivering. Honest accident. They had a repair person there in minutes and properly fixed an entire side of the roof, actually adding value to my home. They let me know of the problem right away and did not try to hide it. There was no cost to me and they made sure I was happy with the work. "

"They finished the roofing just before a very powerful windstorm. I found a roofing nail on my deck not long after and wondered how many might be scattered on the lawn or neighbours lawn. Because the work happened while my family was on vacation, I didn’t want to mow my lawn, now very long due to vacation absence (ie shoot nails around) or have my kids play in the yard for fear of injury and therefore potential litigation. They agreed at no extra cost to come and do a second round of cleanup with a magnet. They did, and everything has been clear; my neighbours said they asked them if they could go over their yards too just in case."

"Scott Roofing’s quote came in 10-12% under 3 other companies that I contacted."

CONGRATULATIONS on a successful mystery shop Scott and the team at Scott Roofing a Trusted Saskatoon Roofer! As roofing is one of the least Trusted categories out there, we are thrilled to have such amazing roofers like Scott Roofing on Saskatoons directory of excellence!.