Stuctural Foundation Problems

Many homes are experiencing structual foundation problems unbeknownst to the owner.  Typically, a homeowner does not become aware of the problem until symptoms start to affect main floor/upstairs living environment. 

The tendency is to then treat the symptom without rooting out the cause of the problem.  Of course this leads to remedies and patches that create a much more expensive repair later on; thus, it is very important to know the signs of structural foundation failure.

SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL FOUNDATION FAILURE

• Foundation wall cracks that are greater than 1/16" in width or are offset (on different planes)
• Excessive foundation cracking or cracks that run horizontally or at 45% angles
• Uneven floors (main floors or in basement)
• Cracking of drywall, plaster walls
• Doors, cabinets, windows not functioning properly
• Gaps under baseboards - Chimney Separation/Leaning
• Cracks in exterior brickwork or caulking
• Uneven settling of soil/concrete on home perimeter

Obviously any one of these symptoms can occur for other reasons, however, if any of these symptoms exist, be sure to have your foundation checked by a trained consultant to avoid overlooking the underlying problem.  Ignored foundation problems can only get worse and will lead to major repairs such as broken utility lines, wall replacement and further structural damage. 

BOWED FOUNDATION WALLS

The soil around your home expands and contracts with the amount of moisture in the ground.  This exerts a great deal of pressure against your foundation walls.  A sound masonry/concrete is designed to withstand the pressure, however, a cracked or compromised wall may start to bulge or lean inward.  This may start off as a gradual process but can get dramatically worse during a period of heavy storms that we frequently experience in the Chicago area. 

The damage can even lead to a foundation wall collapse.  There are several ways to reinforce a bowed or bulging basement wall but some repair methods are better than others.  CARBON FIBER REINFORCEMENT STRAPS can prevent future movement of bowed walls and can be installed unobstrusively from the inside of the basement.  They are much more effective that the traditional steel beams and do not cause the loss of valuable basement space like the steel beams do.  WALL ANCHORS can also be installed to stabilze bowed walls.  The wall anchors have an added advantage of being able, in most cases, to gradually pull bowed walls back into a plumb position.  Learn More on this site under the BOWED WALLS section of this site.

SINKING & SETTLING FOUNDATIONS

All of the weight of a home is borne by the foundation walls and footings, which in turn rest on the underlying soil.  If there is uneven drying out of the soil under part of your home, it can cause the footings/walls to crack and continue to have seasonal movement.  The permanent answer is to install FOUNDATION PIERS which will transfer the house's weight load onto bedrock or other suitable bearing strata/soil. 

These piers can typically be installed from either the interior or exterior.  The number, spacing, as well as type of pier used should only be established after a thorough inspection by a well trained foundation consultant has been performed.  Learn more about foundation settlement repair options under the SETTLEMENT ISSUES tab.

SMARTJACKS & SAGGING FLOORS

Frequently upstairs floors can become uneven because the underlying beams in the crawl space have settled or deteriorated.  SMARTJACKS are an economical and efficient system to bolster existing beams and floor joists.  They are adjustable and can be installed in just a single day.