Category: Foundation Repair

Small basement cracks are common in residential foundations, especially in regions with seasonal temperature shifts. Many homeowners assume hairline cracks are simply cosmetic shrinkage from curing concrete. While some minor cracking is normal, others signal structural stress or water intrusion risks. Concrete naturally shrinks as it cures, which can create vertical hairline cracks. However, ongoing soil movement, freeze-thaw cycles, and

Noticing that your floors are uneven, sloping, or feel like they’re sinking can be concerning. While it may start as a minor issue, sinking floors are often a sign of a deeper structural problem that should not be ignored. Understanding what causes sinking floors is the first step toward protecting your home and preventing more serious damage over time. What

When it comes to older homes, settlement is often considered to be “normal.” We’ve all become accustomed to seeing small cracks or living with doors and windows that stick occasionally. But “normal” doesn’t always mean acceptable. Cracks appearing in your home can be a sign of foundation movement, and that could indicate something more serious developing beneath the surface. Understanding

Foundation repair isn’t something most homeowners have experience with, and in Edmonton, where soil conditions and freeze-thaw cycles are a reality of homeownership, it can feel especially concerning when issues arise. The good news is that professional foundation repair follows a structured, well-established process designed to protect your home, your safety, and your peace of mind. If you’re preparing for

Edmonton winters are long, cold, and unpredictable. If your home is 20+ years old, your foundation faces even more stress from shifting soils, freeze–thaw cycles, and months of moisture pressure. A bit of preparation can go a long way toward preventing cracks, leaks, uneven floors, or costly spring repairs. Here are seven homeowner-friendly winterization tips that can help you protect

Our weather in Alberta has a way of keeping homeowners on their toes. One season brings heavy rain; the next, weeks of dry heat. Lately, with the stretch of almost no rainfall, some people are starting to notice things around the house that don’t feel quite right, like new cracks in the basement or doors that don’t close the way

If you have a basement, window wells are more important than you might think. They don’t just bring in natural light. They also protect your foundation from water damage, improve drainage, and ensure a safe emergency exit. Without properly installed and maintained window wells, homeowners can face serious issues. Water pooling around basement windows can lead to leaks, mold growth,

Foundation issues are one of those home maintenance problems that many homeowners hope will simply go away. A few small cracks, a slightly uneven floor, or a sticky door might not seem urgent at first. But for homeowners in Edmonton, ignoring the early warning signs of foundation trouble can turn a manageable issue into a far more serious, and expensive

We are excited to announce that Shield Foundation Repair has won the 2025 Boma Certification of Customer Service Excellence Award. The Certification of Customer Service Excellence recognizes Allied Members that provide exceptional services to property managers and building owners, emphasizing their role in operational efficiency, tenant satisfaction, and commitment to ESG and DEI initiatives. See all the 2025 award winner

If you’re a homeowner facing foundation issues, you already know how stressful it can be, even before factoring in the cost. Cracks in your walls, uneven floors, or doors that won’t close properly aren’t just cosmetic problems; they may signal serious structural concerns that can compromise your home’s safety and stability. Unfortunately, foundation repairs can often come with a significant

The thought of foundation repair can stir up a mix of relief and anxiety for any homeowner, but these feelings can be particularly heightened for those of us who cherish older homes — a common sight in Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods, such as Glenora, Strathcona, and Westmount, to name a few. These structures, with their unique character and rich history, often

Water pooling around your foundation is one of the leading causes of structural damage in homes. In Edmonton, the combination of spring thaw and frequent rainfalls increases the risk of foundation issues due to excess moisture. Without proper drainage, water can seep into your basement, cause foundation cracks, and lead to costly repairs. To safeguard your home, proactive water management

If you are experiencing foundation issues this spring, you’ve probably spent some time researching the topic. Inevitably, you’ll come across the term “Hydrostatic Pressure.” Those of us (most of us) without engineering backgrounds will almost certainly be taken down a rabbit hole of technical documents and diagrams in the process. We deal with the problem daily in our business, so

Your home’s foundation is quite literally its support system. It provides stability, ensures structural integrity, and safeguards your property against external forces like shifting soil and moisture changes. While a sturdy foundation is often taken for granted, ignoring signs of foundation issues can have significant consequences, both financial and structural. Because problems can manifest over time, the temptation to “let

Winter can be a challenging season for Edmonton homeowners, particularly when it comes to maintaining the structural integrity of their homes. Among the various issues that arise during the colder months, problems with residential foundations are some of the most concerning. Understanding these issues and how to prevent them is crucial to protecting your home and avoiding costly repairs. Following

As the winter months approach here in Edmonton, homeowners should prepare for the challenges that colder temperatures and heavy snowfall bring. Winter storms can produce heavy snowfall and together with high winds, can easily fill in most residential window wells. One often overlooked but crucial part of home maintenance is regular inspections. These structures are designed to provide natural light

Shield Foundation Repair co-founder Todd Ivanochko was recognized as one of Edmonton’s top 20 exceptional business leaders at the 2024 Business in Edmonton Leaders Awards. Created and hosted by Business in Edmonton Magazine, these awards are judged independently by a panel of industry experts. A new business startup just five years ago, Shield has grown to become one of Edmonton’s

We’ve had a pretty dry summer here in Edmonton. While the extra warm weather makes for more rounds of golf and awesome weekend camping trips, the resulting dry soil conditions it causes can really mess with your foundation. This is especially concerning for Alberta homes, which are primarily constructed on a clay soil base. Foundation issues are among the most

When it comes to the foundation of a home, homeowners should be vigilant about several key issues. These concerns are crucial because your foundation supports the entire structure, and any problems can lead to considerable damage, safety hazards, and costly repairs. Here are the top five foundation concerns you should be aware of: 1. Cracks in the Foundation Why It’s a Concern: Cracks in

Foundation issues can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They can threaten the structural integrity of your house, leading to a host of other problems like cracks in the walls, uneven floors, and even water damage. These issues not only affect the safety and comfort of your living space but can also significantly reduce your property’s value. Depending on the severity

Lifting a home might sound like a scene from a science fiction movie, but with advancements in engineering and technology, it has become a practical solution for various structural issues. Shield Foundation Repair uses the most effective method employed in this process – the Unified Jacking System (UJS). This sophisticated system ensures the house is lifted evenly, minimizing the risk

A foundation inspection is a critical evaluation of the structural integrity of a building’s foundation. This process involves a thorough examination by a professional inspector who assesses the condition of the foundation and identifies any potential issues that could compromise the building’s stability. For older homes in and around Edmonton, they are particularly crucial due to the natural wear and

Maintaining the structural integrity of your home is one of the most important parts of home maintenance. However, with summer coming and the frantic pace of life these days, many homeowners put off needed repairs. Often, foundation problems emerge slowly over the course of years. With each passing year problems can get worse, eventually spreading to other parts of the

Spring around Edmonton is knocking on our doors, and you know what that means – time to shake off the winter blues and get our homes in tip-top shape. But hold on! Before you start planning that epic spring cleanup, there’s one thing you absolutely can’t afford to overlook: your home’s foundation. Taxes, spring snowstorms and setting your clocks forward

As winter chills begin to fade and signs of spring emerge, many homeowners in Edmonton shift their focus to outdoor activities and summer plans. However, amidst the excitement of warmer weather, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of ensuring your home is in optimal condition. While foundation issues may seem minor during winter months when the ground is frozen,

Winter in Alberta can be harsh and unpredictable. Its effects can pose daunting challenges for your foundation. One day it can be plus five and the next day you’re in the middle of the coldest week in the last forty years. In Edmonton alone, the temperature swing in forty-eight hours can exceed fifty degrees Celsius! Freeze and thaw cycles, snow

Interior injection repair on concrete is a method of filling cracks in concrete foundations with epoxy or polyurethane. However, this method has several drawbacks that make it less effective, such as: It can only be used in dry cracks, as epoxy or polyurethane does not bond well with wet or damp concrete. It does not address the root cause of

There are many foundation repair contractors in and around Edmonton. It’s easy to do a Google search and find any number of companies that could potentially address your problem. When you have so many options, how can you make the right choice? Needless to say, you’d want someone honest and trustworthy that cares about your home and knows foundation repair

As it gets cooler in Edmonton and the ground begins to freeze, it is easy to put off foundation fixes and upgrades “until next year.” Your home’s foundation is one of the most important components of a building or a structure. Since it’s what everything else sits upon, any issues could turn into massive and costly repairs down the road

As it cools off here in Alberta, windows are open less and you’re spending more time inside. As a result, odours you may have missed all summer suddenly become more noticeable. What’s going on? If you head down to the basement and notice higher humidity than usual, it may be because your concrete basement walls are porous and cracked. When

As Alberta days get shorter and fall approaches, home improvement is on everyone’s minds. For dedicated weekend warriors, there’s no project more daunting than updating your basement. You start by planning that exciting new media room (for big-screen football, golf, and Oilers games, of course!), game room, play area for the kids, or maybe even a kitchen and bath so

Here in Edmonton, homes sell fast. Sometimes you have to make a deal before you’d like to because there’s someone biting at your heels with another offer, waiting for you to decline. Unless the home you’re looking to buy is newly built, there’s a real chance it’s not in perfect condition. Let’s say you’ve already closed on the home you

Just recently, Edmonton experienced a summer weather event where a month’s worth of rain fell in just a few days. It’s times like these that reveal the true condition of your foundation. Because structural damage and degradation are often hidden behind basement walls, it’s only in extreme situations that you ever really discover cracks and defects that have manifested over

  If you’re like most Edmonton homeowners, you’re not a fan of unexpected surprises that can stretch your budget. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, unexpected expenses come with the territory. Foundation problems certainly fall into that category, and they also often qualify as one of the more expensive home repairs you can do.   What causes the foundation

Spring rains are welcome and refreshing. But they can cause increases in hydrostatic pressure and reveal foundation problems. When the snow melts and it starts to rain here in Edmonton, it can really come down. Every spring, susceptible foundations can become even more vulnerable to the effects of “hydrostatic pressure.” This is the force that groundwater can exert on the

Thinking about DIY’ing your foundation crack? Knowing what you don’t know can save you a LOT of problems. If you consider yourself a home repair aficionado and notice a small crack in the foundation of your home, you will almost certainly consider this your next challenge. All you need to do is watch some YouTube repair videos and head down

We get it. Holiday season is over. You’re just back from that big trip and kids have to go to school. It’s a million degrees below outside and dark by four. The lassssst thing on your mind is that leaky foundation you noticed last fall. The truth is, putting off problems with your home’s foundation can increasingly compromise the integrity

What’s below your feet? Foundation experts talk about foundation types. As you might imagine, at Shield Foundation Repair, we see A LOT of foundations because, well, it’s what we do. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and each requires specific repair techniques. Years of experience and thousands of repairs on a wide range of foundation types have gone into

The answer is… Complicated Damage to your concrete foundation (caused by cracks, settlement, or anything else) not only impacts the structural integrity of your home, but can be expensive to repair. You may think your homeowner’s insurance will cover the bill, but you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. Read on to find out what you need to know,

Dig out a wall, fix a crack, fill in the dirt again and go home. No big deal, right?   Sure, sometimes we run across relatively easy fixes. But often, a project that might seem pretty straightforward can be significantly more complicated, especially with older structures where multiple problems are apparent. With jobs like this, the last thing you want

Hiring a contractor At Shield Foundation Repair, we spend an enormous amount of time and effort making sure our customers are dealing with a company that meets or exceeds the highest industry and government standards. When you choose Shield for your project, you can be confident you’re dealing with a professional organization that not only knows its craft but also

Homes in and around Edmonton built earlier than 1990 were often insulated with vermiculite in walls and attics.   Roughly 70% of all vermiculite used for insulation before this time carries the risk of asbestos contamination. When your inspector or contractor tells you your home or business has vermiculite insulation and asbestos is confirmed, all work must stop, and the

We love the foundation repair business, and we are good at it. But one of our lesser-known specialty services is home lifting and levelling. Our team consists of seasoned pros who have years of experience in both commercial and residential structure lifting.   As we talk with so many customers, sometimes we come across interesting projects like the one below.

We don’t just get “rain” in Edmonton. We get downpours. Now, with winter moving in, early snowfalls can lead to slow melting water accumulations in low lying areas of your home. 10 cm of snow in your window wells might not seem important, but here’s why that might not be a safe assumption.   Look at the first photo above.

Have a walkout basement? Here’s an example of floor sloping at the walkout portion. This is a common problem usually associated with the original home construction. It could have been easily avoided. The walkout portion of the basement is built on a frost wall minimum 41/2 feet lower than the top of the basement floor. Because the excavation to form

In Edmonton, pipes that run through the walls of a home or commercial foundations are usually sealed up with concrete, hydraulic cement, or caulk. These penetration points are one of the weakest areas in the walls, and it’s very common to find foundation water leaks even after repairs are done. There are many ways to fix the foundation and seal