St. Louis homeowners with any concern about the structural integrity of their property should call Acculift Foundation Repair today to evaluate their situation and get a proposed plan of repair. We are proud to have a St. Louis foundation repair specialist on staff with years of experience stabilizing foundations, walls, and other concrete structures. Even if your basement seems dry, it is better to be safe than sorry in these situations. Our structural engineer will make sure any recommended work is done correctly and safely, so your structure lasts for many years! Don’t wait any longer — call us today for peace of mind and a safer home.
The concrete foundation that supports your home can experience a number of typical issues – mostly related to poor soils and water issues. When water and soil work against your foundation, it can result in unsightly cracks, windows, and doors that don’t work, brickwork cracking, severe drywall cracking, not to mention the loss of structural stability. These issues can occur in both new homes and homes that were built 50 years ago. Some structural issues can be monitored, while others present serious issues that should be addressed immediately. Diagnosing these problems takes an experienced professional. It’s important to understand that just because your foundation is dry does not mean that it is structurally sound.
St. Louis homeowners may often see their foundation settle unevenly or move horizontally along the ground, and these issues can even bring problems like gap formation above doors and windows. If you’re seeing signs of differential settlement and lateral deflection, don’t wait to call Acculift Foundation Repair!
Acculift is St. Louis’ go-to service for all common foundation problems, including street creep. We offer cost-efficient repair methods that result in strong, long-lasting foundation support! Give Acculift a call today; your necessary repairs are only a phone call away!
Differential settlement occurs when the soil underneath the foundation is undermined or shrinks, allowing part of the house to settle further than the rest of it. The result is severe drywall cracking, doors/windows that do not operate correctly, noticeable slopes on the main level of the house, brickwork that is delaminating or step-cracking. The concrete foundation may have noticeable cracks in it.
Most of the time, the house is structurally stable even with a moderate settlement, but the homeowner may experience loss of functionality and/or aesthetics. In rare cases, the house may be unstable. The only permanent solution for settlement is to install piers that stabilize the concrete foundation walls. Acculift uses both steel push piers and helical piers to stabilize foundations against any further settlement.
Lateral deflection of foundation walls occurs when the soil or water on the exterior push on the wall and move it inward. The results can vary but may include diagonal cracks originating from the corners of the wall, exterior cracks about 8” away from the corner, interior pipes that are crushed. This condition is also called Push Walls, Bow Walls, Lean Walls, and Tilt Walls. This can start as a minor issue, but can (sometimes quickly) progress to a severe structural concern if no action is taken.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to address walls that are lateral deflected. The exact solution will depend on the severity of the movement and the interior and exterior conditions. Wall plate anchors, carbon fiber straps, steel angle braces, I-Beams, and other methods are available. If the deflection is serious (over 2”), the wall may need to be fully excavated and realigned.
“Street Creep” Damage occurs most often in subdivisions at cul-de-sacs, “T”s, and curves. It is the result of the street either expanding (due to heat) or laterally moving. This places pressure on the driveway, which in turn pushes on the garage floor, and finally the house foundation.
Signs of street creep damage include large gaps between the garage floor and foundation, buckled driveway slabs, cracks at the front corners of the garage foundation, and most importantly, severe cracking at the house foundation where it meets the garage. The most important course of action is to have a buffer installed between the street and your driveway to take the pressure off the foundation. From there, crack repair and a structural wrap at the corners are the most common solutions.
Acculift Foundation Repair is the premier foundation inspection company in St. Louis. We provide an unbeatable combination of expertise and personal service to ensure that your home’s foundation is secure and safe.
Contact Acculift today and you can get a free inspection of your foundation – no commitment necessary. With the help of Acculifts’ experienced professionals, you can rest easy knowing that your home’s foundations are in good condition. Don’t take chances with your home – contact Acculift Foundation now and get a free inspection!