Top 4 Foundation Repair Solutions
Do you have a settling, shifting, or cracked foundation?
The good news is that multiple repair options can solve these problems, including screw jacks and different types of foundation piers.
Learn about foundation repair solutions below and how they work. You’ll also discover common causes of foundation damage, how much repairs cost, and more.
What Is a Foundation?
Your foundation is the structure your home rests on. It supports the entire weight of your property and provides ongoing stability.
There are two main types of foundations:
- Shallow Foundations — located near the ground’s surface
- Deep Foundations — located at greater depths in the ground
What Causes Foundation Damage?
Differential settlement is the top cause of foundation problems. Most buildings experience some settlement after being built, which is normal. However, differential settlement can happen when a building settles into the soil at different rates, causing instability.
The following factors can lead to differential settlement:
- Incorrectly Compacted Soil: Soil needs to be compacted properly before laying anything down on it. If this doesn’t happen, differential settlement can occur over time.
- Expansive Soil: Soil with a lot of clay in it might expand during wet weather and contract during dry periods. This causes uneven soil movement that puts pressure on a foundation.
- Weather: A foundation built during the dry months can move when the soil underneath it soaks up moisture during wet weather, resulting in differential settlement.
- Excavation Next To a Foundation: If someone digs too close to a foundation, the surrounding soil could become unstable.
- Earthquakes: Seismic activity may also contribute to a foundation settling unevenly.
- Flooding: Even slow-moving floodwater might separate a building from its foundation, which can lead to differential settlement.
Whatever the cause of differential settlement, working with a reputable foundation repair professional like Groundworks is essential. We can inspect this part of your home and recommend the best repair solutions.
Common Signs Of Foundation Problems
Your home might have differential settlement if you notice any of the following:
- Sticking doors and windows
- Uneven floors
- Walls that are separating from floors or ceilings
- Cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings
- Drywall cracks or nail pops
- Diagonal cracks extending from the corners of doors and windows toward the ceiling
- Torn wallpaper, which indicates the wall behind the wallpaper is moving
- Rotated walls
- Molding that is separating from walls or ceilings
- Stair-step cracks in brick
- Chimneys and porches that are separating from the rest of the building
4 Foundation Repair Options
If you have differential settlement, here are four foundation repair solutions to consider:
1. Push Piers
Push piers utilize hydraulic pressure and the weight of your home to reach load-bearing soil. Once in place, hydraulic jacks can attach to push piers, potentially lifting your property back into its original position.
2. Helical Piers
Helical piers look like giant screws. This shape allows contractors to twist them into the ground until they get to load-bearing soil. Hydraulic jacks can also attach to helical piers to potentially lift your house.
3. Drilled Concrete Piers
Soil creep can cause foundation movement in homes built on hillsides. Concrete piers solve this challenge by restabilizing a foundation. This involves drilling large holes next to a foundation and placing reinforcement cages into the holes before pouring in concrete.
4. Crawl Space Jacks
Foundation repair experts might use crawl space support jacks to restore the floor in this part of your home to its initial position. This can be helpful if the support posts in your crawl space have rusted or become damaged.
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost?
Each foundation situation is unique, so it varies. We recommend contacting a foundation repair contractor for an estimate so you know what to expect. Generally, the cost of foundation repair can depend on factors such as your location, the severity of damage, and the solutions you need.
If you think a contractor will charge you for repairs you don’t need, consider having an independent structural engineer inspect your property. The engineer will note which parts of your foundation require repair, and you can give this report to a contractor.
Whatever the final cost, all foundation repairs should come with a warranty. However, a warranty is only as good as the company providing it.
Does Insurance Cover Foundation Repair?
Your insurance company might cover costs, but it depends on the type of foundation damage and your coverage. Some homeowner’s insurance policies may cover foundation repairs. However, many things might be excluded, such as damage caused by earthquakes or settlement from poor construction. Check with your provider to know for sure.
Buying Or Selling a House With Foundation Damage
This section explains what to do if you’re buying or selling a home with foundation issues:
Buying
Before buying any house, have a foundation contractor or structural engineer inspect it for damage. If a property you’re interested in has serious foundation problems, you can always put in a lower offer.
Read more here: Should You Buy a Home That Needs Foundation Repair?
Selling
Foundation damage doesn’t mean you can’t sell your home. However, in most U.S. states, you must disclose the issue in writing to anyone interested in your property. A foundation repair contractor or structural engineer can inspect your foundation and write a detailed report that you can show buyers. You then have two options. You can either fix the foundation problem or sell your home as-is.
Read more here: Should You Sell a House With Foundation Problems?
Choosing a Foundation Repair Company
Many companies can help you fix your foundation. However, you’ll want to work with one with experience and excellent service, so always check references. Also, make sure a contractor is licensed and has liability insurance.
The best foundation repair companies will explain your problem in terms you can understand. They should also tell you how long the repair will take so you can plan ahead. Finally, ask a potential contractor lots of questions so you can get a better understanding of what happens next. This includes asking about what kind of warranty you will receive.
The good news is that most foundation problems are fixable when you work with the right contractor. Groundworks specializes in foundation repair solutions such as push piers and crawl space jacks, helping you safeguard your home’s structural integrity. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate.
Foundation Repair FAQs
The duration of foundation repair depends on the extent of the damage and the type of repair needed, but most repairs can be completed within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Groundworks’ solutions are made to last long-term. When you have your foundation repaired by us, it comes with a lifetime warranty of the home. This warranty is transferrable to new homeowners should you decide to sell your house.
Temporary solutions like shoring walls just treat the symptoms. Groundworks uses deep foundation piers and anchors that permanently stabilize your home by transferring its weight to load-bearing soil strata, providing a long-lasting fix.
