As you assess your home’s foundation, the street in front of your house probably doesn’t come to mind. But surprisingly, the two are more connected than you might think.
Street creep most commonly occurs when the concrete road near your home expands and contracts as temperatures change or when vehicular traffic causes the road to move slightly. As the road moves, it can push against your driveway and, over time, force the driveway into your home’s foundation, potentially leading to significant structural damage.
How Street Creep Happens
Many home builders install expansion and control joints in the driveway to help offset the pressure caused by seasonal concrete movement. However, these joints don’t always prevent that pressure from eventually reaching the foundation. Over time, these sacrificial buffers can close and lead to the concrete slabs compressing.
This movement happens gradually, often only a fraction of an inch at a time, but can accumulate and lead to several inches of displacement. Eventually, the driveway can be pushed into the home’s foundation and make the problem worse.
Signs of Street Creep
You don’t have to wait for street creep to cause foundation damage to catch it early and have it addressed. Common warning signs include:
- Compressed or buckled concrete driveway slabs
- Compressed joints between the garage floor slabs and garage walls.
- Cracking in the garage foundation walls, especially in the rear wall visible from the basement.
How to Fix Street Creep
Street creep won’t resolve on its own, and continued pressure can damage to your driveway and foundation. Acculift Foundation Repair can address both the source of the problem and any damage already caused. Here’s how that works.
- Relieve Existing Pressure: We start by relieving the pressure. This often involves creating new expansion joints in the concrete slabs to provide additional room for movement.
- Repair Foundation Damage: Once the pressure is relieved, we address any existing foundation damage using high-quality, durable materials to restore structural integrity. If additional reinforcement is needed, we may install wall anchors or braces to provide long-term stability.
Protect Your Home From the Ground Up
Your driveway should lead you home. Keeping an eye out for street creep can help ensure it doesn’t become a source of unwanted pressure on your foundation. If you notice any of the warning signs, Acculift Foundation Repair is ready to help.
Our experienced team can identify the extent of the problem, relieve the pressure, repair existing foundation damage, and take steps to help prevent it from happening again. Reach out to meet with a specialist and protect your home for years to come.