Foundation Problem Signs
Your house could be under an incredible amount of pressure. Your home has a big job to do and many responsibilities to fill. It must be a safe place for you and your family, and you need to make sure its structural integrity and health are maintained. However, many more things could be happening below the surface than you realize.
Foundation Recovery Systems
Drywall Nail Pops
Nail pops happen when the head of a drywall screw or nail literally “pops” through the wall and paint
Foundation Recovery Systems
Cracked Bricks
Cracked masonry and brickwork can be a sign that your house is shifting or that its foundation is unstable.
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Bowing Walls
Few problems are quite as severe as bowed walls. This is a situation that only gets worse over time, so it’s important to address it now.
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Uneven Floors
Uneven floors aren’t just an eyesore; they can indicate a more serious problem lurking below and result in long-term complications. Find out what causes them.
Are you dealing with doors and windows that won’t open or shut? Are your floors lopsided or uneven? Are you noticing drywall nail pops or fissures in your basement walls? You have a lot to deal with as a homeowner, but these seemingly normal quirks are signs that there are major structural issues happening below the surface. Foundation damage can seem small to the naked eye, but below the surface, clay soil is expanding and contracting, compromising your home’s support system. At Foundation Recovery Systems, we know how to get to the root of your foundation’s problems and apply the permanent solutions you need to feel safe in your home, and even resell.
What Causes Foundation Problems?
It is important to know what’s supporting your home an the health of your foundation. If you see cracks in the walls and think they could be moving or tilting inward, you need to act.
Chimneys sometimes have a missing or inadequate chimney footing. When this occurs, your chimney has not been designed with the proper structural support, and it will fail over time. Chimneys experience tilting problems most commonly when the structure has been built on poor supporting soils. If the soils supporting your chimney are not sufficient to hold its weight, the chimney may begin to sink, causing it to separate from the rest of the home and tilt outward.
As the soil around your foundation becomes soaked with moisture, it expands and puts pressure on your foundation. Hydrostatic pressure is the constant force of water pressure on the foundation walls. When this force becomes more than the walls can handle, the walls will begin to crack and bow inwards. This affects the structural integrity of the walls and results in the need for foundation repair.
This also presents another problem with water intrusion. Water can work its way through any opening available, including cracks. Water sitting behind foundation walls will find and fill invisible openings in the surface of the porous concrete it touches. This contributes to capillary action, creating a series of tiny veins that will seep on the other side. Clogged or above-ground exterior drainage pipes could allow water to puddle next to the home and find its way inside any crack or gap in porous block foundation walls.
Excavated soil that is replaced around a completed foundation isn’t as dense and tightly packed as undisturbed soil farther away. As a result, water collects in the soil immediately surrounding the house, putting pressure on foundation walls and causing cracks.
A sizeable hole was dug in the ground when your home was built. The foundation was then poured, which left a gap between the foundation walls and the existing earth. This gap was filled with soil that was removed and “fluffed up.” This soil is looser, more aerated than the surrounding soil, which may have been compressing for hundreds of years. Thus, the looser soil tends to absorb more water than the compacted soil. More water against the walls leads to hydrostatic pressure.
Clogged or above-ground exterior drainage pipes could allow water to puddle next to the home and find its way inside any crack or gap in porous block foundation walls. Above-ground downspout conductor lines are unsightly tripping and safety hazards. Burying these lines under the ground and directing them far away from your home is the best way to keep water from downspout conductor lines out of the house.
You also need to think about the condition of this buried drainage system. These pipes fail to do their job if they crack or collapse, and you could end up with puddles of water in your basement. Older clay pipes commonly split, break, or crack.
Some traditional downspout conductor lines buried underground have no outlet for drainage. Since they are sitting in the ground, they could become clogged with dirt and other debris. This could lead to a back-up or overflow of water that will cause additional headaches.
Award-Winning Service
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Kevin Estes was a knowledgeable, approachable salesman who helped us identify the problem, work through several solutions (some of which even went outside of Foundation Recovery Systems realm, but we’re good homeowner fixes that saved us money and…
View review Read Howie Place's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick Mata very intelligent honest and very experienced and cares about the people he works with
View review Read Lonnie Barnett's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick mata I would recommend this gentleman very very intelligent and was very instructed about his buisness
View review Read Sharon Barnett's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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I was scheduled with repairs for what I considered major foundation issues and the whole process from start to finish was smooth. I had professional customer interactions with Alonzo who came out to give me an estimate of repairs. I was reassured…
View review Read Amanda Flowers's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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We had a great experience with the Foundation Recovery System crew! They were very informative every step of the way, kept things as clean as possible and very kind!!!
View review Read Cherie Miller's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Matt came out this morning to do an inspection and give a project quote. He was very professional and explained every very well. Would definitely recommend!
View review Read Thereal Viets's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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We had a great experience with Luis, Donovan and Lee. They worked in our basement for two days. They were professional, knowledgeable and kind. They also kept the work space and our home as clean as possible. Everything from the initial consultation…
View review Read Anne Jackson's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Very professional young men, went beyond what was expected. They knew what they were doing
View review Read Raymond Long's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick was very helpful in coming up with solutions to our crawl space dampness issues. We look forward to working with them soon.
View review Read Jon Lee's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Jamie Aleshinr and Bear Gaccet completed a foundation repair for me. They were one man down and STILL completed everything quickly, professionally, and with an amazing attitude. I really wish there were more professionals like them. I will never use…
View review Read Daniel Nunez's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick mata was a great guy and told us everything we need to know without any questions
View review Read Kyle Medley's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick Mata great guy really thorough on explaining what needs to be done and offered discounts too!!! Had to call him because was have some saggy floors
View review Read Shawna Dallas's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Was having cracks in our ceiling and called FRS. Let me also point out that we live in the woods 2 hours away in Arkansas and no one else was willing to come out. Nathan first came out and inspected the house and showed us what was wrong and how…
View review Read Michelle Lewis's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Thanks for a thorough follow up Jessie F.
View review Read Amanda Whitlock's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Jacob and crew did a fantastic job on our basement, their crew was on time, professional, and courteous in their clean up. They answered all of our questions and would be happy to have them work for us again. Also Kevin Estes from sales was amazing,…
View review Read Taylor Gray's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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We had foundation repair and sump pump installation. Lee,Camryn and Ethan did a great job with a positive attitude. We would recommend this company to friends/family. Robert F. Webster Groves,Mo
View review Read Robert Reeman's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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I’m a real estate Broker/owner in Missouri and had Nick Mata come check out property foundations and let him do what he does best! Professionalism and clarification for our mutual clients as well as educating us on exactly what was recommended to…
View review Read Ashley Gabrielson's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Field inspector Ken Jordan was quick to put my fears to rest with some small surface cracking I noticed above my basement window. He was very knowledgeable about my problem and informed me of how to patch it myself as there were no structural issues…
View review Read Brandon Nagy's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Corey handled business today and made me rest assured this is the company I will go with for my foundation repairs appreciate his honesty and confidence knew exactly what needed to be done. Thank you so much!!
View review Read Blake Allen's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
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Nick Mata came over today and walked me through step by step everything that needed to be taken care of. I hadn’t saved up for any issues but knew something needed to be done with the water we were getting in our crawl space. With the financing he…
View review Read Matt Faucett's review for Foundation Recovery Systems
Foundation Repair Solutions
If you’re struggling with a sinking or crumbling foundation, our goal is to ease your mind with permanent foundation repair including pier systems, wall braces, and more. We don’t sell temporary bandages. Our solutions stand the test of time.
Foundation Recovery Systems
Carbon Fiber Wall Repair
If your home is beginning to buckle, specialized wall reinforcing systems can prevent serious structural instabilities from forming. Carbon fiber is a high-tech woven material that is initially flexible but becomes extremely strong and rigid once infused with an epoxy resin, and it can hold your walls in place.
Foundation Recovery Systems
Wall Anchor System
Structural instability is no joke. If you see bulging, bowing, or extensive cracks in your basement walls, wall anchors could keep your house on its feet.
Foundation Recovery Systems
Helical Piers
Foundation instability is a huge problem with few viable solutions. Helical piers make keeping your home stable and level a little easier.
Foundation Recovery Systems
Foundation Push Piers
The primary advantage of a push pier system is that it stabilizes your home’s foundation permanently and may even be able to lift it back to its original position.
Is Foundation Repair the Right Solution for Me?
The fact of foundation problems is that they only get worse, not better with time. As time passes, the cracks in your walls will grow, and your lopsided floor will become more uneven. Worst case scenario, basement walls can crumble and cave in, causing major safety issues. Making the investment to restore the structural integrity of your home is one that will pay for itself over the years, as advanced and complex foundation issues are extremely costly the longer they wait and progress.
At Foundation Recovery Systems, we understand the stress that comes with dealing with large-scale foundation issues. We hope to take some of the burden off of you by offering transferable warranties for the products we install, and flexible financing plans. We also offer free foundation inspections, and no-pressure quotes for our services so you can feel totally confident in trusting us with your home. Booking your free appointment with us only takes a minute, just fill out this online form or call us today!
FAQs
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.
If you live in St. Louis, Kansas City, or the surrounding areas, contact us! We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you with one of our highly trained foundation repair inspectors. Inspections are free and no obligation to you, and our specialist will complete a thorough evaluation of your home. We also are proud to work with realtors, commercial property owners, and other various affiliates.
If you are concerned with foundation repair needs and insurance coverage, be sure to check with your insurance carrier, as all policies are different.
Here are some helpful tips for selecting a reputable contractor, courtesy of Today’s Homeowner. We are proud to meet and exceed expectations on these points:
- No Contract Labor: Make sure the people performing the repairs work for the company.
- Financial Commitment: Does the contractor own or rent his equipment?
- Supervisors on Site: Is the company large enough to provide full time supervision, or will the crew be dropped off at your home to do the work?
- References: Make sure references are not hand-picked.
- Warranties: Warranties are only as good as the company that offers them. A reputable company who has been in business for at least 25 years should be your best bet.
- Insurance: Ask for current insurance certificates.
- 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.
Our patented, top-quality foundation repair solutions are tested and proven to work to keep give you a safer and stable living environment.
Cheaper, quick fixes like light-duty beams and posts are only temporary bandages that will not address or tackle the root of the problem.
So, don’t waste your time and money on fast fixes. Your home in Kansas City, St. Louis, or the surrounding area, needs our quality permanent solutions. We use reliable, custom equipment and state-of-the-art technology to install these various foundation repair systems.
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.
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?
Why is Foundation Repair Needed?
Decreased Market Value
It’s likely that if you’re considering foundation repair, reselling your home might be a reason why you’re seeking repairs. According to homes.com, having major foundation issues can easily decrease the overall value of your home. As these issues increase over time, you may run into issues even selling your home at all. At Foundation Recovery Systems, we can help restore your home’s structural integrity for the housing market, and even increase its value with a transferable warranty for the homeowner who buys from you.
Clay Bowl Effect
When your home was originally built, contractors dug up soil to set the foundation. When the home was built and completed, the soil was repacked beneath and around your home. The problem is that when soil is displaced from its natural compression (developed over hundreds of years), then replaced, the soil returns loose or “fluffed” up. This poses an issue during rainy or snowy weather, as water can travel easier through the soil, setting into motion leaks, flooding, structural issues, and more in your basement or crawl space.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the force that water can exert upon a surface. When it comes to the foundation walls in your basement, you may notice cracks, leaking, and bowing. This occurs because the soil around your home soaks up rainwater and snowmelt and expands, pressing up against your foundation walls. Water can also travel through the porous concrete walls of your basement. Foundation experts can relieve this pressure by strategically punching holes in the wall to drain the water.
Common Foundation Tips & Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid with Foundation Repair
- DIYing: While it may seem tempting to opt for a do-it-yourself repair, many quick solutions shown in YouTube videos or online listicles aren’t going to be professional-grade solutions. With foundation repair, you’re going to need consultation from a structural expert, and services installed by specialists.
- Waiting Too Long to Repair: It’s understandable to wait to see if the problems will fix themselves, or even wait for a time when you feel more financially stable to take on structural repairs. However, these problems only get worse, and more expensive. At FRS, we have reasonable financing plans so you can feel comfortable paying off your repairs in time, to take the burden off of you, and off of your home’s structure, sooner.
- “Saving Money” by Paying for Temporary Fixes: Patching up cracks in your drywall or re-nailing in drywall nail pops and covering with spackle won’t do the trick forever. These issues along with leaks, sticking doors and windows, uneven floors, and more will persist no matter how many times you cover them up. Since these issues are structural and not cosmetic, you will absolutely be in need of structural repair, and waiting will only allow them to get worse.
Helpful Foundation Repair Tips to Consider
- Go with a Specialized Foundation Company Instead of a General Contractor: While there are many skilled general contractors who can do good work, foundation, basement, and crawl space services can easily be misdiagnosed by those who don’t specialize in the field. At Foundation Recovery Systems, we’ve seen everything when it comes to foundation problems, but still understand that each home is unique. Our years of experience allows us to correctly diagnose your home’s needs, and provide you with the custom solution you need to feel comfortable in your home again.
- Get Regular Foundation Inspections: Whether your home is brand new or decades old, foundation problems don’t discriminate. Having your home inspected at the first sign of a potential foundation issue can ensure you catch or even prevent advanced structural issues early on.
- Maintain the Foliage Around Your Home: Since soil plays a huge role in what happens to your foundation, keeping a keen eye on your yard landscaping is vital to a healthy home. Having shrubs, bushes, or even trees too close to your home can be detrimental to your foundation, as plants generally larger than 3 feet need a lot of water to stay alive. This may dry out the soil beneath and around your home, leading to differential settlement. Yard grading is also extremely important, and ensuring your yard has a positive grade (rainwater flows away from the home) will help promote healthy water drainage in your foundation soils.
Find your service area
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City has clay-like, expansive soils with a climate that experiences heavy rainfall that leads to flooding in the spring that can damage your home’s foundation, basement, concrete, and crawl space.
Moberly, MO
If you live in Moberly, where it rains a lot and the soil is fertile clay, you can expect water damage to your foundation, basement, concrete, and crawl space.
Springfield, MO
Gravelly soil in Springfield is prone to erosion and creates an unstable base for your foundation. Give your home the extra support it needs to stand strong.
St. Louis, MO
Clay-like soils and a wet climate in St. Louis can cause flooding, resulting in structural damage to your home's foundation as well as the basement, concrete, and crawl space.
Des Moines, IA
Water damage can harm your home's foundation, basement, concrete, and crawl space if you live in Des Moines, Iowa, because of the city's silty-clay loam and humid climate.
