Gordmay has performed many structural repairs within the Ottawa and Barrhaven area this year. If you are experiencing carpenter ants in your house or a musty smell in your basement, you may have dry rot damage on the exterior of your home that needs to be addressed. We live in an unforgiving climate and if the exterior of your home is not caulked, flashed or properly sealed, unwanted rodents could be living in your walls among your insulation, risking potential damage to electrical wiring. Water damage and or mold showing itself on interior walls is another common indication there is a problem. This sometimes leads to extensive repairs which could have otherwise been avoided. Join our Yearly Exterior Maintenance Program and we will do a thorough investigation of the exterior of your home, replace and install caulking where required and identify any potential problems you should be aware of.
Structural Repairs Experts
Structural repairs are essential if you want your home to be a safe building to reside in. While structural repairs might not always add to the aesthetic beauty of your home in some cases, they will ensure that it is secure and solid. It’s never a good idea to delay addressing structural damage. At Gordmay Construction, we have noticed that most of our clients aren’t aware that their home is suffering from damage. Here’s a list of warning signs that you should keep in mind.
Leaning or Settling
Most construction contractors will account for the leaning and settling and design the home accordingly. Over time, you might eventually start to see signs that this leaning or settling is getting worse. These signs include cracked walls, bent and jarred windows, and a slightly tilted home. You can check whether your home is leaning by placing a level on the outside corners. If you’re worried about your results, you should give us a call immediately.
Rotting Joists
It’s a good idea to check for rotting joists regularly. All you would need to do is poke the wood in the ceiling with something sharp like a screwdriver. If the wood crumbles and gives away, you have a problem. If the wood remains solid, it’s healthy. It’s very important to immediately check all of the joists for rot because this type of damage can actually spread if it’s not corrected early. Replacing the joists can be expensive and time consuming, but if you ignore it, your home could be at risk.
Foundation
It’s very important to check the foundation for structural damage as well. The basement is usually an area of a home that’s most vulnerable to structural damage. While small, hairline cracks in the crawlspace walls are very common, deep and thick cracks can be a sign of serious settling. It’s a good idea to get your home professionally inspected if you spot any large cracks.
Load Bearing Walls
Load bearing walls are an essential part of the structure of your home. They will bear the weight of your entire home, including the roof. Their placement is carefully planned to ensure that your home is well balanced. Any shifting in these walls is a cause for concern.
Beams & Beam Installation
There are two types of beam installations that Gordmay Construction specializes in. Whether you need a steel beam or a wood beam installed, we’ve got you covered.
Installation of Steel Beams
Steel beams are often required when people are removing walls during a home renovation. Sometimes the load carried by interior walls is too heavy for a wood beam. An engineer will let you know whether you need a steel beam or a wood beam. Gordmay Construction is your go to source for steel beams.
Installation of Wood Beams
The installation of a wood beam is similar to that of a steel beam. The reason you might be allowed to use a wood beam is because the engineer believes that the strength of an LVL (laminated lumber veneer).
For all structural wall removals, we require that a structural engineer first review the project and provide a stamped engineering report. You are welcome to use any qualified structural engineer of your choosing.
Please note that engineering firms typically charge a fee for site visits and preparation of the required report. We will require a copy of the engineer’s report before we can accurately price the project, as it will specify the beam size, structural requirements, and any other materials necessary for the installation.
Once you have received the engineering report, you may apply for the required building permit through the City, or we can handle the permit application on your behalf for an additional fee. The process is generally straightforward: complete the building permit application, attach the engineer’s report, and submit it to the City for approval. Once issued, the permit must be displayed on site throughout construction.
After the beam and any structural components have been installed, the City inspector will attend the site to review and approve the work. Once the inspection has been completed and approved, the permit can be closed.
Once you have obtained the engineer’s report, please forward it to us and we will arrange a site visit to review the project, discuss the scope of work in detail, and provide a formal estimate.
If you have concerns regarding structural movement, settling, or damage within your home, we would be happy to discuss the project and help guide you through the process. We regularly complete structural repairs, beam installations, and load-bearing wall modifications and can assist from start to finish.
ROTTED BEAM REMOVAL OF ROTTED BEAM
AFTER BEAM REPLACEMENT
27 Providence Pl
Nepean, Ont. K2J 1N9
Ph: 613-715-4841
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://gordmayconstruction.ca/