How Can You Tell if Your House Has Foundation Problems?

Have you begun to notice small changes around your home and are now wondering if foundation issues are to blame? Minor alignment issues could be indicators of a much larger issue. However, we're here to help before things get too bad!

Problem Signs

• Bowing walls: bowing walls have the appearance of a curve or bend due to being under a lot of pressure.
• Cracked chimney: a cracked chimney has noticeable cracks and breaks in the outward brickwork, usually found in the mortar that connects the bricks.
• Uneven floor: instead of being perfectly flat as it should be, an uneven floor is higher and lower in some parts, causing dips, slants, slopes, and sagging.
• Wall crack: a break in the smooth continuity of the foundation wall.
• Crack in concrete floor.
• Sticking doors - suddenly your doors need more force to open.

Additional Foundation Problem Signs

• Concrete raising
• Gaps around exterior window frames and doors
• Cracks in your brick that look like stairsteps
• The separation between the wall and counters or cabinets
• Build up of moisture

It is vital to understand what kind of damage you are looking at, as it can help your foundation company understand its extent and choose the right repair method for the job!

What Causes Foundation Damage?

Expansive Soils

Different kinds of soils can have varying effects on your home foundation. Soils that expand due to moisture absorption over time can cause it to heave, caving upward and shifting out of place.

While clay soil is considered the best to build on, it is also the most expansive. Birmingham soil tends to be sandier and mostly made up of loose silt. And although this makes it less prone to expansion, it also comes with other potential problems. Soils containing mainly loose silt are looser, less compact, and more likely to wash away during storms or because of melted snow. When this happens, the foundation loses the necessary support to stay in place.

Trees and Roots

Trees and their root systems are common culprits to foundation damage thanks to their expansive nature. While it may seem like just a plant, don't underestimate the power of tree roots. They're very strong and can cause costly damage to your sewer system, exterior concrete surfaces, exterior drainage system, and your home's foundation as they expand.

So, while we love the beauty that a large tree can add to a property, it’s important to make sure it’s not too close.

Foundation Soils

Soil composition can have a significant risk for foundation damage. The prevalent sandy and silt loam soils of Alabama, known for their loose structure, become even more susceptible to issues like erosion, compaction, and settling when disturbed during construction. The "clay bowl effect," a common construction practice, exacerbates the problem by creating pockets of loose soil. With Alabama's susceptibility to storms and spring snowmelt, these loose soils are at heightened risk of washing out, further compromising foundation stability

How Much Are Repairs? Will It Fit My Budget?

We understand that for any homeowner, affordability is a top priority. Keeping this in mind, we have developed an easy-to-use checklist to assist you in determining what prices you can expect for foundational repair and whether it involves just your crawl space or upgrading the structural integrity of your basement area. We mention national averages below to give you an idea of how much people in Birmingham spend.

Here are some key variables that influence the cost of repairs;

• The age and location of your home
• The severity of your home's structural problems
• The materials used to construct your foundation (slab, footing, expansive clay soils, etc.)
• Material costs and availability, local labor rates, and permit requirements
• Additional work on your home (concrete lifting, mold remediation, etc.)
• The terrain, elevation, and soil types surrounding your property, including soil pressure, poor soil conditions, unstable soil,
• How meticulously the contractor who built your home prepared the soil
• Your personal home improvement objectives (such as basement waterproofing, water intrusion repair, etc.)

A Deeper Look at the Costs of Foundation Repair

Trade organizations and companies have conducted extensive nationwide studies to determine how much homeowners across the country spend on foundation repairs. According to reports, the cost of repairing and upgrading a foundation for superficial cracks ranges from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 or more.

According to a recent survey of over 2,600 foundation repair customers, the cost ranges between $1,842 and $6,566 for a "like new" return. You can be confident that your rate will fall somewhere in the middle if you keep this reference range in mind. The average cost of structural repairs in Birmingham is around $7,400, but this figure is not fixed. You can speak with one of our specialists to schedule a home inspection, and we will provide you with a no-obligation quotation.

REQUEST A QUOTE

Solutions to Repair Structure Damage

Whether your foundation needs an intense repair job or something relatively simple, our team of experts is happy to guide you through anything that needs to be installed or any drilling and other installation that needs to take place. Here are some of the most commonly used repair methods:

• Helical piers and anchors - Helical piers are screws made of steel with a helix-shaped blade that screws into the ground. This blade is driven deep into the ground and aids the pier's grip on the land, providing critical foundation stability.
• Wall Anchor system - Basement wall anchor systems are structural solutions designed to stabilize and support weak or failing basement walls.
• Resistance piers - Also known as push pier systems, stabilize and/or lift sinking or settling foundations by utilizing high-grade, round steel tubes and a load transfer bracket. The foundation bracket is secured to the existing footing, and pier sections are pushed hydraulically through to the foundation bracket and into the soil below, using combined structural weight and any contributing soil load as resistance.
• Mudjacking - This repair method, also recognized as slab jacking or concrete lifting, is highly efficient and yields long-term results.
• Basement waterproofing - This method keeps your basement dry through various methods, including the use of hydraulic cement, moisture and vapor barriers, vent fans, and solid pipe installation.
• Retaining walls repair.

It is vital to seek professional help when it comes to foundational repair. As experts in this field, our agents will assess the condition of underlying soils and other materials such as wood, rock, or anything else that is found within its structural composition. Other areas that will be assessed include any concrete slab, holes in the structures, driveways, and the overall condition of the building.

Give us a call today, and let us help put your mind at ease concerning your bowing walls or any other foundation issues you may be having.

REQUEST AN ASSESSMENT 205.520.9777