House problem guides
Old house problems, explained
What are you looking at?
- Downstairs: the basement and the foundationWater in the basement after rain
Water in the basement after rain
It shows up after a storm, or every spring. Where it usually gets in, and what to check first.
An old stone foundation that leaks
Damp patches and sandy mortar on a fieldstone wall. Why old stone foundations leak, and what helps.
- The walls: brick and stoneSpalling brick
Bricks flaking at the face
Red dust under the wall, faces popping off. What spalling is, and when a brick has to go.
White stains and crumbling mortar
White powder on the brick, mortar sanding out of the joints. What it says about water.
Stone veneer cracking or coming loose
Cracks across the stone, or a piece on the ground. Why it happens, and why the water behind it matters.
- Out front: the porch and the stepsCrumbling or sagging porch steps
Steps crumbling or sinking
Cracked, flaking or tilting front steps. When a repair still works, and when it's a rebuild.
Why Albany
We'd rather show you than tell you
These are the problems we see on older Hamilton houses. Each guide ends with the same offer: send us a photo of yours, and we'll tell you what we see.
If it needs work, we price it at a free consultation in your home, once we've seen the job. No obligation.
Not sure whether your job needs a City permit? Try the permit checker.
Questions we get
Can I send you a photo instead of booking a visit?
Yes. Text a photo to (289) 860-0200 and tell us what you're seeing. If it needs a closer look, we'll book a free consultation in your home.
Are these guides a substitute for an inspection?
No. They explain what's usually behind a problem and what's safe to check from the ground. Anything structural, or anything you'd need a ladder for, is worth having someone look at in person.
What do the repairs cost?
Every job is priced at a free in-home consultation, because the size of the problem and what's behind it change the price more than anything else.
Story 08 is your house.
- Tell us. Call, text a photo, or leave a number.
- We call you back to talk it through and book a time to see it.
- Free consultation at your home. You get your price once we've seen the job.
info@albanycontractinggroup.com
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