Services
Johnson Group Contracting Logo

Johnson Group Contracting

 is a registered trade name of Johnson Group Online Inc.

office (705) 728-3476
fax (705) 728-3305
toll-free (866) 640-3476

email: sales@leak-proof.com

Services

  1. Crack Repair - Residential
  2. Crack Repair - Commercial
  3. Interior Leakage Repairs
  4. Carbon Fibre Reinforcing

Foundation and Basement Crack Repair - Residential

Crack Injection for foundation repair and restoration. High pressure crack injection will completely seal leaks through cracks in your foundation.

Polyurethane Shrinkage Crack Injection Rates

$495.00 for the First Crack*
$375.00 for Each Additional Crack

(*Exposed, vertical cracks in non-reinforced residential foundation walls in Barrie, ON.)
If job is outside of Barrie, reasonable travel charges will apply.
 

To Watch the VIDEO of a typical foundation crack repair...
CLICK HERE

Johnson Group Contracting professionally performs residential foundation crack repairs using both Polyurethane and Epoxy crack repair systems. Johnson Group Contracting are expert technicians with two decades of experience, AND manufacturers of these same products for hundreds of users across North America.

Epoxy injection  Epoxy Injection
We offer complete structural or leakage repair of cracked concrete walls and floors for residential applications. This project took place in central Ontario east of Orillia.

Epoxy Injection All equipment for epoxy injection fits in this van
Engineer specified epoxy injection as the  solution of choice.

Floor Cracks in structural slab repaired Wall cracks repaired

With the floor cracks now bonded together and the walls repaired; this project allowed the owners to build their cottage on a previously damaged foundation, saving them many thousands of dollars on the cost of constructing a entire new foundation.

NOTE: This type of repair method cannot be used on block structures.

What is crack injection?

Common foundation crack

Crack injection is the process by which a resin or grout (epoxy or polyurethane) is injected into a crack or void under high or low pressure. Polyurethane is flexible and is used to stop water leaks, while epoxy is a glue used to bond sections of a wall back together as a structural repair.

In order to accomplish this operation, the area is first exposed and the crack site cleaned up so we can see the crack.

Many home owners use patching compounds such as hydraulic cement to stop leaks, with limited or temporary success. The moment the wall flexes, the rigid patch cracks and leaks again. Another poor repair method is injection using surface mount ports and a hand operated dispenser to "fill" the crack with epoxy or polyurethane. We fix many of these so called repaired cracks because there is no way to know if the crack has been filled. Tight cracks cannot be properly repaired with this method and we do not use it. Many home builders tend to use this method because they can get someone in to do it cheap, (maybe even their own guy), so they can get past the two year "New Home Warranty" requirements.
 

Our basic procedure is as follows;

                Neatly cutting the insulation and vapour barrier
Neatly cutting insulation and vapour barrier. Cracks are common at windows.                        Identifying crack path.                  

Once fully exposed, holes are drilled into the crack by starting the hole beside the crack and intersecting it in mid-wall.

Careful drilling of holes into crack.         This method intersects the crack in the middle of the wall.        Inserting ports
Careful drilling of holes into crack.      This method intersects the crack in the middle of the wall.        Inserting ports             

The distance from the crack to begin the hole and the angle of the drill are critical in achieving a good injection. Quality of the concrete to be injected is also very important in order for the injection ports to hold during injection and maintain a good seal.
 

More ports being inserted    Setting the ports    Setting of nylon ports
More ports.                                        Setting ports.                                A tight fit is required.

Ports or packers are inserted into the cleaned out holes. Extra long grease nipples (also called zerks) are screwed into the packers. This allows us to connect a high pressure electric pump or manual pump to the crack via the hydraulic coupler.
Injection procedure moving up the crack.

Polyurethane injected through the ports                  the pressure required was 1500 psi for this port.
          Polyurethane vents out of the crack.                The pressure required was 1500 psi for this port.

We use high quality electric or manual injection pumps delivering up to 3000 psi on virtually every injection in order to deliver the resin or grout at the correct pressure and volume. The " Straight In " drilling method requires far less pressures and is usually the default injection method.

The polyurethane begins to expand as part of its chemical reaction.                                  Finished and guarranteed not to leak again - ever.
The polyurethane begins to expand as part of its chemical reaction.                 Finished and guaranteed not to leak again - ever.


Once injected, the crack will be completely filled from front to back and top to bottom. Epoxy is used on passive (non-moving) cracks for structural repairs, while polyurethane is used on active (moving or potential for moving) cracks.

The cause for most residential foundation cracks is shrinkage of the concrete wall shortly after construction. They may leak but are not usually a structural concern. Foundation settlement will cause a different type of crack and should be looked at by an engineer to determine if the settling problem is ongoing. Injection can be done on either side of the wall.



In any case, we can fix the problem that you are having. Johnson Group Contracting will provide you with a Limited 100% lifetime guarantee that the injected crack will not leak. Our warrantee is transferable to whomever you sell your home to.
(some conditions apply)Leaky crack repair slide show.

 

Polyurethane crack injection animation





The crack on the left was quite a mess when we arrived due to many previous repairs and persistent leakage. However, this crack no longer leaks.








 


For more detailed info on the injection systems we offer and some photos of large scale jobs, please jump over to the our project listings of (Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, & Tanks), or go to the Commercial Crack Injection Page

Crack Repair - Commercial

Barrier Wall Crack Injection

When water is leaking through cracks in any type of solid structure, call on Johnson Group Contracting...
                                  ...to stop it dead in it's tracks.
Johnson Group Contracting has many years of technical experience in the use of high pressure chemical grout injection projects throughout Ontario.
High Pressure Polyurethane (chemical) Injection is the engineers method of choice for permanently stopping leaks from either side of the wall. Again, no digging required, as high-pressure polyurethane injection forces the flowable resin completely through the wall crack, creating a tough and permanent flexible seal fully through to the other side.

 

Johnson Group Contracting has successfully completed hundreds of projects on... 

Epoxy injection of railway bridge pier.



Epoxy injection is used to bond the structure back together.( A structural repair) This procedure requires several more steps than polyurethane injection to provide a complete bonding of the two crack faces. Johnson Group Contracting almost exclusively uses "high pressure" methods in undertaking epoxy injection to ensure full and complete penetration of the resin. In addition, a specially formulated "Thixotropic" epoxy is used to ensure the resin does not "disappear" out the back or bottom of a crack (i.e. Thixotropic 85 Injection Epoxy). Thixotropic means - the property of certain gels or fluids that are thick (viscous) under normal conditions, but flow (become thin, less viscous) over time when shaken, agitated, or otherwise stressed. They then take a fixed time to return to a more viscous state.

Although Johnson Group began originally as a contracting venture many years ago, it has evolved into a manufacturer and supplier of high quality polyurethane, epoxy injection and cementitious grouting products to users across the Western Hemisphere. Every day our quality products are being shipped out across Canada and USA to quality conscious end users. Additionally, our sister company River Rock Industries Corp. manufacturers high quality accessories to the constructing and mining/tunnelling sectors through an expansive wholesale distribution network. Johnson Group is a distributor for those products as well.

 Click on the banners below to find out more...

Johnson Group Online Inc. Logo 

River Rock Industries Corp. logo 

Interior - Basement Leakage Repair System

We offer the
MOST COST EFFECTIVE & PERMANENT INTERIOR SOLUTION
 for Leaking Basements!

No Digging Required!

$$$ Save Thousands of Dollars $$$

Interior Drainage System DrawingThese innovative systems can make existing clogged weeping tiles obsolete while sealing out offensive moisture or smells from your living space. "Some people refer to these systems as French Drains, but because 4 or 5 other things are also called French Drains, we don't use typically the name to identify it. Interior Water Control System is what it actually what it does, so that's what we call it."
Millions of lineal feet of this type of system have been installed all over North America and Europe.

This method of leakage repair is designed for block or poured concrete basements!

 Even if the basement is finished, this system can provide you with permanent foundation drainage and a moisture protection system you can count on and maintain.

Extremely Cost Effective! - No system can match the value you receive with the Johnson Group Interior Water Control Systems! Most project costing up to 50% less than traditional excavation style replacements.

NO EXTERIOR DIGGING - The entire project is complete from the interior of the structure and can be undertaken at any time of year.

FAST Installations- Most projects take between 1 & 3 days

A Permanent System - Why replace something that will likely clog-up again? Our Interior Water Control Systems come with interior inspection ports which allow you instant access to multiple view ports into your critical foundation drainage system.
We are the leaders in Interior Water Control Systems (IWCS)!

Highly Experienced -  Our  "company employed professional" installers are extremely well instructed in all aspects of leak remediation work.

Your actual installation will be tailored or modified to suit your specific on site conditions. Systems can include features like automatic wall condensation collection and removal.
With the versatility of choosing partial perimeter systems, you can budget the full install over time by addressing only the areas that are currently causing leakage problems. Johnson Group Contracting can adapt these systems to function in a wide variety of configurations. Do half in year one, then extend the system as required later on...

Between Slab Drainage Systems
Between Slab Drainage Systems -
Many concrete basement floors are not constructed with a vapour barrier under them to stop the transmission of moisture into the basement airspace. This will cause higher than normal moisture levels in the basement and increase condensation on anything cold. This problem needs to be addressed by managing the humidity level with dehumidifiers and proper air circulation etc. or the installation of a new sub-floor which includes an air gap vapour barrier. This sub-floor system will greatly reduce the moisture problem and give you a warm floor as well.

When installed over an existing concrete floor and a new concrete slab is poured over top, we refer to these systems as Between Slab Drainage Systems. Usually installed because the original floor was installed too low or without a vapour barrier under the slab. Of course we need to drain these Between Slab Drainage Systems "BSDS" into something, usually an interior weeping tile or a custom setup.
 

Here is a link to more information on
basement moisture problems from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota article

Don't be led down the wrong path by a company that doesn't implement new and better technology. Simply put, these systems work! However, some circumstances about your building or location may indicate that this system is not the first or best choice. A proper review of your situation is always needed prior to determining the best system to solve your particular problem. Your contractor needs to have specific knowledge of all systems to make the best judgements.

If you didn't follow the link above, here is some great info from the University of Minnesota that explains the differences in the interior drainage systems.

APPROACH 1:

RECOMMENDED

Install Proper Gutters and Downspouts and Correct Grading

Gutter installation diagram


A great number of basement water problems can be solved by handling rainwater and surface drainage properly using gutters and downspouts with extenders or splash pads to carry the water away from the foundation. Sloping the grade away from the house, which may require hauling fill to the site, is very important. This should be done before any below-grade drainage system is installed, since the above-grade corrections may solve the problem. Even if a drainage system is required, removing water at the source as much as possible is a necessity.

APPROACH 2:

RECOMMENDED

Exterior Drainage System

Exterior drainage system diagram
Installing an exterior drainage system at an existing building is the most costly, but also the most effective water control approach. This requires digging up the area around the foundation and rebuilding it similar to a new house installation. It also requires digging up shrubs and other obstacles around the house.

Usually, waterproofing and insulation are installed at the same time, in addition to making any repairs to the structure. The traditional exterior drainage systems use free-draining sand in the backfill. Drain tile can be placed beside or on top of the footing. Level drain pipe installations are satisfactory. A minimum of 12 inches of coarse aggregate should be placed around the drain tile.

Free-draining Membrane or Board

It can be expensive to haul clear stone or sand to a site for backfilling purposes. Instead, a drainage mat can be placed against the foundation wall and then backfilled with any soil on site. The drainage must have a free-flowing path to the perforated drain pipe below.

Draining to a Sump

All exterior drainage systems must drain to a sump that can be pumped out. The sump must have an airtight, childproof cover.

APPROACH 3:

NOT RECOMMENDED BY Johnson Group Contracting

Interior Drainage Channel above the Concrete Slab

Interior drainage channel: above slab diagram

In most cases when water is entering the basement, an interior drainage system is installed. The simplest and least costly approach is a drainage channel adhered at the base of the wall and the floor slab. Water is collected and drained into a sump using another channel placed on top of the slab, then through a trap to the sump basin. The sump should have an airtight, childproof cover. This system is best suited to a concrete wall with cracks. It does not solve the problem in masonry walls because water remains in the block cores at floor level and the water level is only lowered to the top of the slab. With this approach, the water is not completely removed from the space. The result is that humidity, mould, and mildew can still be a problem. This system cannot drain groundwater from under the floor slab.
From Johnson Group:
"This type of system cannot drain groundwater from under the floor slab. Due to its high elevation in relation to the finished floor height, water can fill up under the floor to the height of the drainage channel causing wet spots, cold floors, vapour transfer in the home and wicking of water up through floor cracks. The method is fundamentally FLAWED! We used to install these types of systems many many years ago, but quickly concluded the systems are a minimalist approach designed to reduce installer costs and not a legitimate method of repair.  Despite the fact that several companies across USA and Canada sell systems very similar to these to thousands of unsuspecting customers everyday is more a
testament to expensive corporate marketing strategies than sounds engineering facts!"

APPROACH 4:

NOT RECOMMENDED BY *Johnson Group Contracting

Interior Drainage Channel within the Slab Edge

Interior drainage channel: within slab diagram

Another "poor and flawed*" technique is to place a drainage channel at the base of the wall on top of the footing. This requires removing and then replacing the concrete along the slab edge, but not past the edge of the footings. The drainage channel is connected to a drain pipe leading to the sump. This approach is effective for concrete masonry walls with water problems because it drains the block cores completely. Holes must be drilled at the base of every block core to permit drainage. This may require removing more than the minimum amount of concrete, as shown, to fit the drill in. These systems have different shapes and prices depending on the product installed. Because moisture is allowed to penetrate the block cores, it is essential to cap the tops and place an air-vapour barrier on the wall.

From Johnson Group:
"This pervasive type of system cannot drain groundwater from under the floor slab. Due to its high elevation in relation to the finished floor height, water can fill up under the floor to the height of the drainage channel causing wet spots, cold floors, vapour transfer in the home and wicking of water up through floor cracks. The method is fundamentally FLAWED! We used to install these types of systems many many years ago, but quickly concluded the systems are a minimalist approach designed to reduce installer costs and not a legitimate method of repair.  Despite the fact that several companies across USA and Canada sell systems very similar to these to thousands of unsuspecting customers everyday is more a
testament to expensive corporate marketing strategies than sounds engineering facts!"

APPROACH 5:

RECOMMENDED Our choice for interior applications!

Interior Drainage System Beneath the Slab

Interior drainage channel: beneath slab diagram

The most effective of the interior drainage systems is a perforated drain pipe installed inside the perimeter of the footing. This requires removing and replacing concrete at the slab edge. By placing the drain pipe beneath the slab, it drains the entire area to a lower level. Similar to an exterior system, the drainage pipe connects to a sump at the best and most optimal elevation for successful dewatering of the under-slab area. The sump should have an airtight, childproof cover. A critical component of this approach is the dimpled plastic sheeting placed at the base of the wall and beneath the slab edge. Dimpled sheeting is similar to a small egg crate and permits free drainage down the wall and across into the drain pipe. It is less expensive than many specialized drainage channel systems. In low permeability soils, this system cannot accept rising groundwater unless there is an aggregate layer under the slab.

Another approach to making the basement dry for interior finishing follows. 

APPROACH 6:

RECOMMENDED Our choice for interior applications!

Finishing a Basement with Moisture Problems

Basement finishing diagram


Using the interior drainage system shown above in Approach 5, one method of finishing the space is shown at right. A polyethylene vapour retarder is placed over the foundation wall before installing finishes. "Or extend the membrane up the wall.(comment by JGC)". No interior vapour retarder should be placed over batt insulation when finishing walls if there is already a vapour retarder on the foundation walls. There should be an interior air barrier (such as the wall finish material) sealed at the top and bottom plates and at all penetrations. Rigid insulation is placed on the floor and then covered with a decay-resistant plywood sub-floor.
Attention: Check your local building codes for this type of installation.

APPROACH 7:

RECOMMENDED Our choice for interior applications!

Complete Interior Drainage System with a Finished Interior

Basement finishing diagram

For basements with severe problems, it is possible to use the interior drainage system shown in Approach 6 and extend the dimpled plastic sheeting over the entire wall. The sheeting serves as a vapour retarder and it forms a drainage layer connected to the drain pipe below. This is particularly effective if the wall is to be finished. A second interior vapour retarder should be avoided, however, if batt insulation is used. There should be an interior air barrier (such as the wall finish material) sealed at the top and bottom plates and at all penetrations.

The dimpled plastic sheeting can also be placed over the floor and covered with rigid insulation and a tongue and groove plywood sub-floor. This forms a vapour retarder and drainage layer on the floor.
 

Mechanical Ventilation Systems for Basements

Problems with Finishing

If a basement has moisture entering through walls or floor, covering it with any kind of wall finishing material or carpet is likely to make it worse unless the water is dealt with first. Wet carpet and moisture under wall coverings are excellent places for mould and mildew growth that can lead to health problems. Generally, when the relative humidity (RH) is above 60 to 70 percent, problems occur with mould and mildew growth.

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation pipes connected to a suction fan can be fabricated to the dimpled sheeting. This draws moist air from beneath the sheeting and dries out the floor. It also assists in controlling radon and other soil gases.

Johnson Group distributes a couple of great basement ventilation systems for Do It Yourselfers. Professional installation is also available at your request. For direct purchasing and more details on this system please see our online shop at: http://leak-proof.com/catalog/the-eliminator-p-1420.html

Call Johnson Group Contracting today.

705-728-3476

Carbon Fibre Reinforcing

Johnson Group Contracting is an official dealer and installer of the StablWall Wall Bracing System
"The Solid Choice for Foundation Repair "

Unlike other repair options, the StablWall wall bracing system offers a one-time, non-invasive solution for damaged foundations. StablWall’s carbon fibre (or fibre) technology offers longevity and stability without the sacrifice of living space or the hassle of excavation. It’s the permanent concrete foundation repair solution for your cracking & bowing foundation or basement wall.

Before

Basement wall carbon fibre system
Horizontal crack in foundation block wall.

After

Basement Wall Carbon Fibre System installed
Wall is repaired using StablWall™ Carbon Fibre System.

StablWall™ The Smart Solution For Your Failing Foundation

As a homeowner, your life revolves around your house. It is where you spend the majority of your time. It is also where you spend a significant amount of your income. As with any of life's endeavours, success in the long-term requires a solid foundation from which to begin. StablWall will guarantee that the foundation that your home is built on will last forever.

Foundation wall reinforcing systems

Up to 6-12 inches of lost space using steel beams to repair your foundation walls

When it comes to repairing your home's damaged foundation, the StablWall system is one of the only products available on the market today that offers a permanent solution. In fact, the StablWall bracing system not only fixes your cracked or bowing basement walls - it is guaranteed to improve the overall strength of your home's foundation.

For every increase in pressure on the wall, there is an equal but opposite resistant force, making the wall stronger than when it was built. Once the StablWall system is installed, the structural integrity of the foundation is restored.

How Does StablWall Work?

Foundation walls crack and bow due to stress created from pressure exerted from expansive soil or lateral earth movement. If not properly reinforced, foundation walls could eventually collapse. Foundation walls crack where pressure is the greatest!
When applied directly to foundation walls, the StablWall product counteracts the outside pressure by stabilizing the walls. It resists up to ten times normal pressure, making the walls stronger to eliminate shifting, expanding, cracking and bowing.

Walls crack where pressure is greatest.

The StablWall Carbon Fibre System provides exceptional strength!

Carbon Fibre Provides Exceptional Strength.

Why Is StablWall The Preferred Solution?

 Unlike other repair options, the StablWall wall bracing system offers a one-time, non-evasive solution for failing foundations. The StablWall method requires no cumbersome steel beams, no bolts to turn, no mess and no maintenance.

Carbon fibre mesh technology appears in many applications where high strength and lightweight was necessary. It's used for building support, bridge support; anywhere that unobtrusive, effective concrete strengthening is needed.

Because of the increase in demand; StablWall is now available for residential applications. It’s more cost effective than wall anchors or beams, requires absolutely no maintenance whatsoever, and is almost invisible once painted over.

StablWall's strength is well documented and supported by stringent engineering data. In addition to providing outstanding product support, we offer specific engineering support for larger commercial projects, to ensure its complete effectiveness.


StablWall Reinforcing Fibre

Parameter Minimum Value Governing Test Method
Tensile Strength 500,000 psi ASTM D3039
Tensile Strain 1.5% ASTMD3039
Tensile Modulus 30,000,000 psi ASTM 3039
Color Black None
Roll Width 24" None
Roll Length 5 feet  None

What is Carbon Fibre?

Carbon fibre is just that – it is a fibre made up of carbon. Carbon fibres have been found to be exceptionally strong, so that when the strands are woven, or run parallel with each other, they are significantly stronger than many other materials – like steel, for example.

StablWall is made up of thousands of strands of those carbon fibres, all running in the same direction. Since the strands are very strong and will not stretch, when it is bonded to a wall, the wall cannot stretch or move. Since the carbon fibre is bonded to the wall, it actually adds strength to the wall itself, making the wall stronger than it was before.

Carbon fibre is made through a complex process involving high heat that rearranges molecules (see www.carbon-fiber.com if you want to get technical). It also requires sophisticated equipment. For years, carbon fibre was just too expensive to produce to be viable for anything but the most critical applications, like space shuttles, airplane wings, and repairs of bridges and commercial concrete structures. But more recently, more reasonable production costs and its incredible strength have opened the door to a host of new applications – and we’re seeing more and more carbon fibre based products in hundreds of everyday uses.

For homeowners and contractors, it’s a breath of fresh air. It is being used prior to basement remodelling projects so that homeowners can remodel with the assurance that their walls are solid. It is being used for all types of home foundation repairs, crawl space repairs, and foundation cracks that previously couldn’t be repaired inexpensively, easily, or effectively.

Want to read more? Click Here

To purchase kits to install on your own project...
                                                           Click Here: CARBON-FIBRE Wall Systems

or call Johnson Group Contracting for expert, experienced installation...