Foundation Repair
Discover the significance of foundation repair, signs of cracked or bowing basement walls, and how FRS can help.
Schedule Free InspectionYour home is more than four walls and a floor. It’s where you celebrate and plan, study, and work.
When foundation damage threatens its structural integrity, repairing it permanently is the only option.
Foundation Recovery Systems offers engineered solutions, custom products, and expert installers familiar with the local soil and climate.
We’ve worked in Missouri and parts of Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, and Iowa for more than three decades. We let our track record speak for itself.
After a thorough inspection, you’ll receive a comprehensive repair plan and estimate on the same day.
If you suspect foundation damage, don’t wait. Schedule your free inspection.
Why is Foundation Repair Important?
Home repairs can be frustrating and a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to foundation damage.
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to put off work; however, doing so only worsens the problems, resulting in a more costly repair.
Safety Hazards
A crumbling, failing foundation, although uncommon, is not safe. While more minor problems like uneven floors or a tilting chimney are far more likely, these, too, come with inherent risks like tripping hazards or falling bricks. Even sticking doors and windows, which seem more annoying than anything, can become dangerous in an emergency.
Increased Cost
Foundation problems never get better with time. The longer issues are left unresolved, the more costly the repairs. In addition to being more difficult to fix, secondary problems like drywall cracks and roof damage are likely to occur.
Decreased Functionality
Doors and windows that stick and an uneven floor that causes items to roll decrease the functionality of your home. Everyday tasks become frustrating when your home is fighting against you. These problems also serve as a daily reminder to repair the problems beneath your floors.
Decreased Home Value
Foundation damage steals value from your home. Homebuyers and real estate agents are savvy enough to look for easily recognizable signs of foundation damage, like cracked brickwork and bowing basement walls. These problems lead potential homebuyers to walk away or ask for a drastically reduced price. Quick-fix repairs that don’t address the root cause will continue to come back. So don’t settle for a cheap fix on your most valued investment, your home.
Protect Your Investment and Ensure Your Safety
Identifying Foundation Problem Signs
Foundation damage causes several problem signs you can easily notice.
The most common issues to look for are:
- Wall cracks
- Visible cracks in exterior brickwork
- Stuck windows and doors
- Uneven or sagging floors
- Gaps between walls, ceilings, or floors
- Leaning chimneys
- Water Damage
- Mold Growth
If you notice these problems, contact a professional foundation repair company immediately.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
While there are many reasons for foundation damage, the two most common are water and soil. It’s how these two factors interact that causes problems for your foundation.
Regardless of soil type, when water is introduced, the soil expands. During dry periods, the soil shrinks.
Soil with high levels of clay, like in Kansas City and St. Louis, expands and shrinks more than sandy soil.
Sandy, loamy soil, like in Des Moines, is prone to washout when water is introduced. This leaves structures unsupported.
Since your soil has such a profound effect on your home, it’s important to understand the connection.
Besides soil issues, less common causes include plumbing leaks and tree roots growing too close to your home, causing walls to crack.
The FRS Solution
For more than 30 years, FRS has been expertly resolving foundation issues in communities like yours. Our priority is to provide tailored solutions that suit your home’s needs.
With our extensive knowledge and understanding of local conditions, we have developed top-of-the-line products that lead the industry.
We believe so strongly in both our work and our products that we offer a Life of the Structure Warranty. Our warranties are entirely transferable. So, if you ever choose to sell your home, the buyer will be protected.
Avoid the headache and hassle of foundation issues with FRS.
SettleStop Pier Systems
Is your home experiencing issues like sticking doors and windows, brick cracks, or drywall problems? Don’t worry – FRS has a custom-engineered solution to stabilize your home and potentially lift it back into place.
Our SettleStop pier system connects with the stable bedrock below to bypass problematic soil.
Here’s how it works: we attach heavy-duty brackets to your home’s foundation and drive a pier through the bracket deep into the earth beneath your home.
When stable bedrock soil is reached, the weight of your home is transferred to the pier, stabilizing the home.
At FRS, we use benchmarking to measure any movement and give you peace of mind as a homeowner.
Our pier systems come in two types – helical and push piers – each designed for specific conditions.
Helical Piers
Our SettleStop Helical Pier System offers a smart solution to your structural support needs.
By using a helical plate at the end of a steel pier, our system screws into the soil until bedrock is reached, providing secure and lasting support.
Trust in our proven technique, as helical piers are ideal for lighter structures, such as your home.
Push Piers
Unlike helical piers, SettleStop Push Piers are hydraulically driven straight into the ground, ensuring maximum support for your structure.
With the added strength from the weight of your building, SettleStop Push Piers are perfect for heavier buildings needing stabilization.
SettleStop Wall Repair Tools
If you’re dealing with basement wall issues, act quickly.
Whether basement cracks are due to foundation damage or other causes, fast repairs are essential to prevent water from entering, exacerbating the original issue.
Keep an eye out for common types of wall cracks, including horizontal, vertical, stair-step patterns, which are all signs of foundation damage. These cracks allow moisture to seep through, leading to issues like mold growth and efflorescence.
At FRS, we offer various wall repair options to meet your needs.
Wall Anchors
SettleStop Wall Anchors stop the lateral movement that causes bowing or tilting basement walls.
Wall anchors are installed inside the basement as well as outside the home, about 10 feet away from the foundation.
Steel rods connect the plates, and tension stabilizes the damaged wall.
I-Beams
If you’re facing limited property space and cannot use wall anchors, SettleStop’s IntelliBrace™ I-beams are a perfect choice.
These steel I-beams are installed vertically against your basement walls and anchored to the floor and joists using brackets. Once tightened, they apply pressure against the walls and hold them in place.
Long-term, SettleStop IntelliBrace™ I-beams will stabilize your basement walls and give you peace of mind.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Another alternative if space is limited is SettleStop Carbon Fiber Straps.
These sturdy straps are specifically designed to fit in tight spaces and reinforce your basement walls with carbon fiber.
The installation process is simple and non-intrusive. High-strength carbon fiber straps are applied to the inside of your basement walls using epoxy adhesive, providing extra support from hydrostatic pressure.
The entire process takes place inside your basement, so you won’t have to worry about disruptive construction.
SettleStop IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Support Posts
Tired of dealing with creaky floors, tripping hazards, and furniture that rattles when you walk over sagging floors? Our solution to your problem is SettleStop IntelliJack™ crawl space support posts from FRS.
These steel support posts are perfect for weak and sagging floor joists in crawl spaces. The SettleStop IntelliJacks™ are installed beneath the floor joists and secured to the support beams above. Our crawl space support posts can be easily adjusted to provide upward support to the floor joists, resulting in a stabilized floor.
SettleStop IntelliJack™ crawl space support posts have an allowable load capacity of more than 24,000 lbs. per support jack, and we back it up by testing and certifying it to the highest industry standards.
As fellow homeowners, we know the value of having a secure and stable home.
That’s why our inspectors and installers live and work in your community, and we only offer personalized solutions using only the best products.
With our foundation stabilization warranty, you can trust your home will be secure permanently.
View more Foundation Repair Solutions >>
Foundation Repair Cost
One of the most common questions we receive is, “How much does foundation repair cost?”
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way to answer since several factors determine cost.
- Amount of Damage: All foundation repair is not created equal. The cost of repairing a small crack versus stabilizing a foundation is vast. This is why scheduling an inspection at the first sign of trouble can save you money.
- Foundation Type: Depending on your home’s foundation, the cost to repair the damage can vary. A home over a crawl space with a sagging floor requires a different solution than a slab home sinking into the ground. Therefore, the cost is also different.
- Soil Type: The soil beneath your home is the reason you are experiencing problems. If you only notice damage in one section, but the same troublesome soil surrounds your entire home, a complete repair may be best.
- Location: If you reside in an area with high living expenses or strict building codes, brace yourself for a higher price tag for repairs.
Knowing these factors can help you better prepare for the expense and ensure a successful repair
Award-Winning Service
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Corey Badder their Certified Field Inspector came out to assess our foundation and mold issues. He was on time, kind and courteous and…
Corey Badder their Certified Field Inspector came out to assess our foundation and mold issues. He was on time, kind and courteous and very knowledgeable. He did an extremely thorough inspection. He went through and educated us regarding our foundation and issues we want to watch out for. He was very honest and personable. We would use this company again based on our experience. Believe every positive review you read about him… we experienced the same service others have raved about! Very friendly gentleman. Thank you to the company for adding us to you schedule quickly and effortlessly.
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Foundation Recovery Systems quickly resolved my issue with water ingress to my garage by professionally installing a system to redirect the …
Foundation Recovery Systems quickly resolved my issue with water ingress to my garage by professionally installing a system to redirect the water to keep it from entering my garage. Josh Eaton, Mason Tinney, and Lueck Wright performed the work quickly and politely, and expertly addressed all my concerns. They did a great job cleaning up after the work was concluded, and walked me through what was done.
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The work of Brandon C, Dylan E, Darrion R, Blake B and Cris B was all incredibly professional and well done. They were respectful of how…
The work of Brandon C, Dylan E, Darrion R, Blake B and Cris B was all incredibly professional and well done. They were respectful of how their heavy machinery needed for the job moved around the yard, put extra care in not damaging things that were in the way of their work and even moved rocks my kids had decorated to a different spot so they wouldn’t get damaged which I felt was above and beyond. They really cared about doing what could be done for our specific porch/foundation fix rather than just doing a generic job.
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I met with Codi Martin yesterday to discuss some issues we've been having with our foundation. He was very professional and knowledgeable. …
I met with Codi Martin yesterday to discuss some issues we've been having with our foundation. He was very professional and knowledgeable. He took his time answering all of my questions and did a very thorough job of inspecting my house and explaining how his company could prevent further issues with the foundation.
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Ryan Howard explained the job thoroughly and calmed my nerves about the water coming my basement. He was extremely professional and…
Ryan Howard explained the job thoroughly and calmed my nerves about the water coming my basement. He was extremely professional and knowledgeable about the job. I would recommend Ryan H to anyone. What a great personality.
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Nathan Bright was amazing. Personable and professional. Super happy with everything him and his company had to offer.
Nathan Bright was amazing. Personable and professional. Super happy with everything him and his company had to offer.
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CALLED TRAVIS SMOTHERS WITH ISSUES WE HAD WITH OUR HOME AND DRIVEWAY. HOUSE HAD SETTELING ISSUES AND DRIVEWAY NEEDED HELP. HOUSE NEEDED…
CALLED TRAVIS SMOTHERS WITH ISSUES WE HAD WITH OUR HOME AND DRIVEWAY. HOUSE HAD SETTELING ISSUES AND DRIVEWAY NEEDED HELP. HOUSE NEEDED PIERS ETC. AND DRIVEWAY NEEDED POLY. TRAVIS WAS PROMPT, EXPLAINED ALL TO US AND WAS ON TOP OF IT. I FELT HE WAS VERY TRUSTWORTHY! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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Corey was absolutely amazing and taking his time to walk through everything for us to help us out. He’s also extremely kind to us.
Corey was absolutely amazing and taking his time to walk through everything for us to help us out. He’s also extremely kind to us.
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Jordon was very professional and answered all our questions throughly. He was very honest and informative about the work that will be…
Jordon was very professional and answered all our questions throughly. He was very honest and informative about the work that will be done and why. He is very kind, personable and trustworthy. We are very pleased with his representation of this excellent service of restoration. Thank you!!! 😊
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Our home had several sidewalk sections that had sunk at different rates, leaving uneven edges that were trip hazards. Bryce and Brandon of…
Our home had several sidewalk sections that had sunk at different rates, leaving uneven edges that were trip hazards. Bryce and Brandon of FRS briefed me on their approach to leveling the walkway. They worked hard and carefully, and their experience showed in how good the sidewalk now looks, with trip hazards eliminated. While the service is not inexpensive, communications, process and work went well, with an end result that was better than I anticipated.
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Stabilized footings. Austin, Tanner, snd Alex performed the job well, professionally, and timely
Stabilized footings. Austin, Tanner, snd Alex performed the job well, professionally, and timely
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5-star service! Nathan Smith-Bright helped us with our crawl space encapsulation needs. Very professional and answered all our questions!
5-star service! Nathan Smith-Bright helped us with our crawl space encapsulation needs. Very professional and answered all our questions!
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The crew arrived on time after calling me as they left Springfield. They were friendly and polite and very personable. Their work was neat…
The crew arrived on time after calling me as they left Springfield. They were friendly and polite and very personable. Their work was neat and clean. Our floor had begun to sag and squeak over the 43 years we’ve lived in the house. Today, the squeak is gone! I have used this company before, and I will most definitely use them again. Thank you Foundation Recovery Systems, and most especially Mason H.,Mason T., and Logan R Sincerely,Beverly M.Harrison, Arkansas
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They acted professionally, neatly done job in a timely fashion.They kept us informed on every aspect of the job.I highly recommend this…
They acted professionally, neatly done job in a timely fashion.They kept us informed on every aspect of the job.I highly recommend this company and Dawson, Dusty and Jaden were all very courteous, friendly and professional.
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Miguel and Abby were very professional, they did a great job, in not only leveling out my extremely old, multiple cracked up, totally…
Miguel and Abby were very professional, they did a great job, in not only leveling out my extremely old, multiple cracked up, totally uneven driveway (2 to 3 inches unlevel in parts), but also the sealing of it, especially between my driveway and garage and the driveway and porch … I just love it! Then, the levelingand sealing of my back porch was just as outstanding!
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Chris S was my service tech he was really polite and understanding. He was really nice. He did an amazing job getting in and out. Well done …
Chris S was my service tech he was really polite and understanding. He was really nice. He did an amazing job getting in and out. Well done ty.
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Chris SThe service techWas awesome!!!I want him to come out every year.
Chris SThe service techWas awesome!!!I want him to come out every year.
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Adam Elberger performed a foundation inspection on our home on November 17th. Adam was timely, professional, respectful, knowledgeable and…
Adam Elberger performed a foundation inspection on our home on November 17th. Adam was timely, professional, respectful, knowledgeable and very particular in performing the inspection and determined to arrive at the correct conclusion of any issues found. I would highly recommend Adam for any foundation issues.
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Jordan was very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. He took the time to explain all out options thoroughly.
Jordan was very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. He took the time to explain all out options thoroughly.
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Corey was awesome. We didn't need his serví es. He was honest and sent us in the right direction.
Corey was awesome. We didn't need his serví es. He was honest and sent us in the right direction.
What to Expect from Foundation Recovery Systems
We know the frustration you deal with from contractors who fail to meet expectations, lack communication skills and compromise on quality.
At FRS, we prioritize communication, safety, and transparency in all the work we do.
Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and demonstrating the utmost respect for your home.
This includes wearing clean booties to cover our shoes before entering and ensuring the worksite is cleaned thoroughly before leaving.
We treat your home with the same care and consideration as our own.
- Set Up an Appointment
Booking an inspection has never been easier. Schedule an appointment completely online, complete our online contact form, and we’ll reach out directly, or give us a call.
After the appointment is scheduled, we’ll email you some information about FRS and some of the solutions we may suggest.
- Confirmation Call
We’ll call and text 48 hours before the inspection to confirm our appointment. Not a window, the exact time we scheduled at booking.
- On the Way Call
When en route to your home, expect a call from your inspector to inform you they are on the way.
Using our GPS system, you can track your inspector in real-time so you know when to expect them.
- Introduction
The first thing your inspector will do is introduce himself. He’ll then ask you to walk him through the problems at your home.
After getting a complete picture of the issues, he’ll inform you of his inspection process so you feel comfortable with each step.
- The Inspection
The Certified Field Inspector will complete his evaluation using all the information you provided. He’ll take measurements of the inside and outside of the damaged area and create helpful diagrams for the installation team.
A thorough inspection is important to ensure the job is completed smoothly.
- Findings Chat
Using photos taken with your permission, the inspector will talk to you about his inspection findings. Any questions are asked and answered, and you are left with a complete quote the same day. No hunting us down looking for an estimate.
- Schedule Work
If you are happy with our solution and wish to proceed, an installation date is set immediately. This ensures priority placement and starts the review process.
Every job is reviewed by a manager and a licensed structural engineer if necessary. Our knowledgeable office staff obtains any permits and works with you to guarantee a professional repair that is done right the first time.
FAQs
Every home is unique, and each project calls for different foundation repair solutions. We can customize solutions specific to your repair needs. Your inspector will take into consideration your repair goals, the severity of damage or problem areas, square footage, and your budget. It’s not just a “one size fits all” fix. So, what works for your neighbor down the street may not necessarily be what your home needs.
Contacting us for an expert opinion is your best bet. We will not try to throw bandages on the problems, push you to buy “everything but the kitchen sink,” or offer sub-standard quick fixes.
Here are some telltale signs of basement problems that are not mended by a do it yourself fix. You should instead seek reliable advice if you notice:
- Any kinds of cracks on the basement walls and/or floor
- Bulging foundation walls
- Sagging or uneven floors
Along with top-notch solutions installed by a reliable team when you choose to work with us, what you are really paying for is peace of mind and a safer home.
Not only will this benefit you during the time you live in the house, but it will have a lasting impact for the future resale of the house. You are investing in the health and wellness of the structure.
When having your home inspected for real estate transactions, even partial fixes or temporary bandages could raise a red flag along with water or structural damage. You’ll have to spend more time and money trying to address the issues, so why not make an educated decision and sound investment with us and our trustworthy foundation repair solutions?
While we can’t control the weather or the soil outside your home, we can control what’s inside your house and supporting the rest of the structure.
Engineered to withstand the toughest forces, our dependable wall reinforcement and piering systems are made with galvanized steel to prevent rust, corrosion and damage, offering you a strong and permanent solution.
- A thorough evaluation of the home’s interior and exterior. This includes looking for sources of water such as cracks or even plumbing sources.
- Discussing your goals with a repair project.
- A same-day proposal of recommended repair solutions.
- Customized solutions uniquely designed to meet your foundation repair needs.
- Discussing payment and financing options.
If you see any kind of cracks or movement in your foundation walls, you need to act now! The longer you put these issues out of your mind or on the back burner, the more costly the foundation repair projects will be in the long run. You’re also endangering your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Your home – whether it is in St. Louis, Kansas City, or the surrounding area – is a significant investment, and it is important to ensure its health and safety today and for the future. A problematic foundation also affects the value of and ability to sell a home.
The return on investment from basement repair is estimated to be around 30 percent. But the health and structural benefits, not to mention peace of mind, are priceless.
Various factors impact your home’s appraisal value, but structural integrity, water issues, and other problems are important areas you need to be aware of. When selling your house, it is important to disclose any past or current damage. While you are not required by the state of Missouri to reveal damaging defects about your property beyond certain criminal histories, it does set clear expectations regarding the quality and condition of the home, as well as any previous or needed foundation repair. (Source: Nolo)
We understand that foundation repair can be a daunting undertaking. Because the issues worsen over time, it can seem easier to simply leave them alone and wait. But that is not a safe or smart approach. Here are some pieces of bad advice we’ve heard that homeowners should not follow about their foundation issues.
- “Continue to monitor the crack until something changes.” If you just wait it out, then the foundation could shift and change the type of solution needed to fix it. This can result in a more costly foundation repair project.
- “All the settlement already happened.” Settlement happens when the soil beneath the home can no longer uphold the structure. This means settlement will continue to happen as the weight pushes down on pockets of compromised soil.
- “Out of sight, out of mind.” Just like every problem, it still exists even if you don’t see it. A cracked or bowing foundation will continue shifting even if it’s covered up. This also means that foundation issues can be hiding behind things like drywall and furniture.
- “Just put another wall in front of the bowing wall.” This is not a permanent foundation repair solution. The original wall simply will continue shifting and potentially push on the new wall as well. A new wall in front also will not support the rest of the home’s foundation.
- “Brace it with wood.” Nailing boards to a wall will not prevent it from shifting further. Wood is not strong enough to uphold the weight of a foundation. Similarly, using wooden beams or metal pipes placed at 45-degree angles also are not strong enough, and they are extremely space-intrusive.
