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Foundation Repair

Causes of Foundation Problems

There are many different conditions that can cause foundation failure, including:

Heaving and Settling: As the ground repeatedly freezes and thaws, it will expand and contract, causing the foundation above to heave and settle respectively. This can lead to uneven settlement, foundation shifting, and crack formation.

Erosion: Erosion can occur when there is heavy rain or a large amount of snowmelt with warmer temperatures. The rain washes away soil under your foundation, forming voids and causing the foundation to settle into these voids.

Hydrostatic Pressure: Excess groundwater can cause the hydrostatic pressure in the ground to increase. This pressure pushes against the foundation, causing it to shift and possibly crack.

Poor Soil Compaction: If the soil beneath your home was not properly compacted at the time of construction, the ground will begin to settle, causing the foundation above to settle unevenly as well.

Common Foundation Problems

Foundation settlement is a common issue that happens when the foundation of the home sinks as a result of poor support from the soil beneath. Another problem that is quite common is shifting foundations. If your foundation begins to shift, it may cause basement walls to bow or lean inward. If you have a shifting or settling foundation, you may also find foundation cracks, which can lead to water leakage and pest infestation. Other common signs of a foundation problem in your home include:

• Floor cracks
• Sloped or uneven floors
• Wall cracks
• Sticking doors or windows
• Ceiling cracks
• Bowed or leaning walls
• Leaning chimney

Solutions for Foundation Problems

There are, however, reliable solutions for all of the foundation problems in your home. For settling foundations, install helical piers or steel push piers. Your home will be leveled during the installation process and these will keep the foundation stable long-term.

If you have a basement, shifting foundations or hydrostatic pressure from the soil outside may cause the basement walls to bow or lean inward. Plate anchors or helical tiebacks can be installed to pull the walls back into place; these anchors are installed into the yard adjacent to the affected wall and attached using a metal rod and a plate. The opposite horizontal pressure gradually pulls the wall back into position as well as providing a counter-force to prevent and further inward bowing.

If you find a foundation problem in your home, contact one of the highly qualified My Foundation Repairs contractors who can fix your foundation the right way with high-quality materials.

Basement Waterproofing Services

Many of the My Foundation Repairs contractors also provide highly skilled waterproofing services, offering everything from surface drainage in your yard to direct water away from your foundation to interior drainage systems with a sump pump that can remove water that has worked its way into your basement walls. My Foundation Repairs' waterproofing contractors can find the right solution to keep your basement dry. No more living in fear of what you will find when you go into your basement after a rainstorm. Instead you will have the peace of mind that comes with having a professionally installed waterproofing system.

Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl spaces are too often something that is out of sight, out of mind until a problem arises. And when a problem does arise, it usually involves moisture.

Whether it is flooding or simply excessive humidity, too much moisture can cause a host of problems in crawl spaces.

Crawl Space Problems Caused by Moisture

• Mold and Mildew: Mold loves dark and moist places, and that pretty accurately describes a crawl space with water problems. Mold spores will spread throughout the house, causing or exacerbating respiratory issues.
• Musty Odors: You know that damp, musty smell? Well, if your crawl space gets water problems, you will probably become acquainted.
• Wood Rot: Excessive amounts of moisture can cause the wood structural components of your home to begin to rot. If the beams or floor joists begin to rot it can cause anything from "spongy" floors to serious structural issues.
• Pest Infestations: Pests love crawl spaces with standing water. For some it gives them a breeding ground and water source. For others, the first group gives them a source of food. In the case of termites, the pests themselves can make any structural issues caused by the moisture even worse.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

With crawl space encapsulation, your crawl space will be sealed, including the crawl space vents, and a tear-resistant plastic vapor barrier placed along the floor, walls, and any piers or other structural components that sit on the ground. In some cases additional waterproofing measures, such as installing a dehumidifier, will also be necessary. The goal is to keep the crawl space dry so your water worries are a thing of the past.

Concrete Leveling

Do you have a sidewalk, driveway, porch or other concrete slab that has begun to sink and crack? Many of our contractors offer concrete leveling services using polyurethane foam, a longer-lasting alternative to mudjacking.

The concrete lifting foam is inserted through dime-sized holes in the concrete, and the foam is injected underneath. As the foam expands, it hydraulically lifts the slab back to level. The holes are patched and you are left with a level slab and a longer lifespan for your concrete.

Contact a Foundation Repair Contractor Near You

Need to find a contractor who can handle tought foundation repair, basement waterproofing or concrete lifting jobs? Here are ones in your area who have the training and top-quality foundation repair equipment to solve your home or business's problem.