A healthy foundation equals a stable and healthy home. Unfortunately, keeping a foundation in the best possible shape isn’t the easiest task. After all, there are so many things that can significantly damage it, and what is worse, you may not know that the damage has occurred. At least, not in the beginning.
Foundation damage is tricky because at first there are may not be signs that something is wrong. As time goes by, cracks, gaps, and sticking doors and windows may suggest that something bad is happening. Foundation settlement, if not addressed properly in time, can lead to all kinds of problems and eventually compromise the structural stability of a house.
Fortunately, the owner of a home in Overland Park, MO, – a suburb in southwestern Kansas City, MO, – did not wait. After noticing large cracks on her basement wall, she knew it was time to take action. Luckily, we were able to stabilize her home and restore it to its previous state.
Meeting the Customer
The homeowner from Overland Park contacted us concerned about the state of her foundation. As she notified us, she noticed large cracks in her drywall. They have been there for the last few months and the situation was getting worse. In addition, she realized that her doors were sticking as well. She was the sole homeowner of the house for the last 10 years, so she knew everything about the place. The homeowner was aware that the foundation repair might be a significant investment, but she also knew that in the end, her home would be structurally stable and safe. When she analyzed her options and compared the cost and the benefits, she decided to contact us.
Our Inspection
When our inspector arrived at the house, the first thing he noticed was that the house was sitting on two types of foundations: a basement and a crawl space. It was evident that the house was settling. Large vertical and horizontal cracks were noticeable not just on the drywall, but on all sides of the foundation.
After a thorough inspection, our expert determined that the house was settling from the southwest to the northeast corner. He was also able to notice anchors and I-beams installed on the East part of the foundation by another company.
After our inspector explained what the problem was, they recommended suitable solutions which were push piers in this case. These piers are a permanent solution to foundation settlement. The great thing about the piers we install is that they are galvanized so they will not rust. They also come with a longtime warranty, which is extremely important to homeowners. Our customer wanted only the best for her home, so these piers were a suitable option.
Repairing the Damage
The whole project lasted three days. Our crew ended up installing 16 push piers. To put them in place, we had to excavate from six to nine feet of soil around the foundation. During the installation, we aimed to stabilize the foundation. Some of the piers were installed from the outside, others were installed from the inside. Push piers are driven into the ground with a hydraulic drive stand.
Push piers were a great solution for this job as they were stabilizing a large structure, in this case a home. They do not work to stabilize smaller structures like porches, as push piers rely on the weight of the home or other building.
In the end, the job was completed, and although we had to adjust some of the spacing for the piers, the homeowner was very satisfied with the overall project.
“I chose Foundation Recovery Systems because of the fair prices they offered,” the homeowner said. “The person who put in the proposal knew what he was talking about and explained everything. A very trustworthy man. The crew was great and explained everything they did as they went along. Also, a woman in the office followed up and discussed the clean-up and made all the necessary arrangements. She was very accommodating. Everyone was very professional, and I would gladly recommend Foundation Recovery Systems to anyone who needs this type of service.”
Foundation settlement is a serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. If you have noticed that something is wrong with your foundation, that your doors and windows are sticking, or your walls are cracking, contact a foundation repair specialist in your area as soon as possible. At Foundation Recovery Systems we provide a free assessment, so schedule a free inspection and repair quote today. Our expert will determine the seriousness of the situation and recommend solutions that will suit not only your home but your wallet as well.
