It’s perfectly normal for every house to experience some settlement or movement over the years.
But, as a homeowner, you should know how to spot the difference between regular settling and serious foundation problems. Homebuilders compensate for local conditions during construction, but nature often has a mind of its own.
Do you know how to tell if you need home foundation repair services? Keep reading below to learn the warning signs and about the two most common types of foundation repair we cover.
When to Call a Foundation Repair Service
We want all of our customers to know the signs of a foundation problem:
- Cracks across the interior or exterior of your home
- Cracks appearing in a stair-step pattern in brick & mortar
- Chimney pulling away from the home or leaning
- Basement walls leaning or bowing
- Large drywall cracks above doors or windows
- Caulking separation from exterior doors or windows
- Problems with leaking water in the basement or crawl space
- Windows & doors pulled out of line and not functioning
If you start noticing cracks or leaks around your house, it’s time to call a professional.
Sinking Home Foundation
Foundations typically sink for natural reasons caused by changes in soil composition and soil desiccation. Soil properties change over time. This issue can affect newer and older homes.
What’s the main culprit? Changes in soil cause most foundation issues:
- Drought and dry conditions
- Water in the soil freezing and unfreezing in the winter
- Soggy soils not supporting the weight of the house
- Foundation soil not being sufficiently compacted during construction
- Erosion from severe weather like hurricanes or floods
Water is another key ingredient in damaging your foundation. The more water you have around your house, the more likely it will apply hydrostatic pressure in expansive clay soils. That’s why we tell our clients to stay on top of drainage.
It’s not safe to live in a home with a sinking foundation or bowing wall.
USS repairs these issues by what is termed piering or wall stabilizing. Piering is done for sinking or settling foundations. Wall stabilizing is for bowing and inward leaning foundations.
Bowing Walls in Your Basement
Another repair we see frequently is when a customer’s concrete or brick wall is bowing. This is also caused by the presence of too much water and uneven soil.
When soil expands around your foundation, it leaves walls unevenly supported. Parts of your home can begin to crack and basement walls can bow. Call a professional immediately for a basement wall repair if you see this happening.
Contractors like us can install Steel Vertical I Beams. This will reinforce the wall and prevent further damage. Helical wall ties can also be added to the foundation wall.
Keep Your Home Foundation Strong
Sinking foundations and bowing walls are the two most common repairs we deal with. The key is detecting them in time before the damage gets worse.
Check for the warning signs we listed above and reach out to us to help secure your foundation.
Call us today at 847-382-2882 if you have any questions about choosing a foundation repair service or if you’d like to schedule a free consultation.
