Sinking & Settling Foundation Repair
There are numerous types of soil layers underneath a house. Foundation settlement can occur when one of these soil layers can't support the weight of the home.
The Settling Foundation Problem:
Your home is showing signs of damage related to foundation settlement.
Symptoms of a Settling Foundation:
- Stair-step cracks in brick or concrete block foundation walls
- Leaning, titling chimneys
- Cracks around doors and windows
- Jamming, sticking doors and windows
- Cracks in a concrete slab floor
- Cracks in drywall
How to Fix Foundation Settling:
Foundation Repair Pros fixes foundation settlement issues by installing steel foundation piers. These piers will extend beneath the foundation, contacting strong supporting soils that will permanently stabilize your structure.
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Identify Structural Issues Caused by Sinking & Settlement
The warning signs of bad foundation settling can be subtle at first, however, if ignored the long-term effects from a settling foundation can leed to more severe foundation problems. Here are some examples of the signs of troubled foundation caused by settlement:
- Stair-Step Cracking: Stair-step cracking is one of the surest signs of foundation settlement and is very common in brick, and also in concrete block walls. As the settlement continues, vertical cracks may widen or become uneven as wall sections tilt away from each other, indicating more severe displacement. Keep an eye out for cracks that are wider at the top than at the bottom, as this is a sign of advancing settlement.
- Tilting Chimneys: Tilting chimneys that are separating from the home are one of the most intimidating and dramatic signs of a settling foundation. Sometimes a chimney is built on a footing that is not connected to the house foundation. The enormous weight of a chimney can make it even more at risk of settlement.
- Damaged Doors & Windows: An opening cut in any wall is a weak point, so signs of foundation settlement often show up around door and window openings. Doors and windows frames may be racked out of square. Cracks may extend from the corners above doors and windows. Doors may separate from the framing or exterior finish. Other signs include sticking, jamming doors and windows and locks that stop working.
- Slab Floor Cracking: Cracks in your concrete floor slab can be a sign of foundation settlement, but they may also be a sign that the slab floor alone has settled. There are times when your slab floor may sink or lift independently of the foundation walls, damaging the floors but not necessarily the foundation walls themselves.
- Drywall Cracks: Cracks in drywall throughout the house are reliable indicators of foundation settlement. Cracks will often be larger and more obvious in the home's upper levels. Typical drywall cracks during foundation settlement are commonly located at the corners of doors and windows and along drywall seams. Drywall tape can also be a good indicator, especially if it's ripping or coming loose. Drywall cracks can also be a sign of sinking crawl space supports, sinking floors, and heaving floors.
