Foundation problems cause homeowners a lot of anxiety and concern. A settling foundation is a pretty common issue and stabilizing your foundation is crucial to protecting your home.
BAM Basements is a locally owned and operated company that specializes in waterproofing and foundation repair. We’ve been helping homeowners’ waterproof and restore the homes foundations since 2012. We pride ourselves on our accuracy, honesty, and expertise. Our goal is to provide each homeowner with a whole-home solution that fully repairs and addresses the problems they’re experiencing. We believe the best customer is a well-informed one. In an earlier article, we explored 6 reasons why your home is settling. But there are other signs that a professional looks for. These other signs can help a professional verify their diagnosis and ensure their solution is the right fit for your home. It’s these more technical signs that we’re going to review today.
Not Every Foundation Crack Needs a Pier
There can be cracks in your foundation, both on the inside and outside of your home. This isn’t always a cause for major alarm. Interior cracks usually fall into one of three categories, ranging from minor issues to urgent concerns. Not every exterior crack is a sign of settling, either. There are instances when brick exteriors or facades crack along the mortar. This can be caused by seasonal changes that degrade or damage the seams. Sometimes cracks in concrete are due to water intrusion, instead of erosion. Water generally does one of two things to your foundation, it either pushes against it or undermines it. In industry terms, water causes hydrostatic pressure (cracking and bowing walls) or erosion (settling). If you’re not careful, you can sometimes mistake one for the other. A foundation crack on its own is not proof of settling problems. This is why a professional will look for multiple indications of settling.
Sticking Windows Are A Sign of Settling
Windows sticking is a vague term for windows that close on their own or won’t open without a huge amount of effort. Sticking windows are usually a sign of a foundation settling, although they can also be caused by a sagging floor. Sagging floors are easiest to diagnose from the basement or crawl space, where the floor joists, beams, and other components can be viewed directly.
Why would settling foundations or sagging floors cause window problems?
Your windows become difficult to maneuver when their framework is being pulled or twisted out of shape. This strain on the structure originates in the structure around (and below) the window. To determine the cause, you need to look for additional evidence. One of these can be the seals around the window.
Failing Window Caulk Is Another Indicator of Settling
Caulking around windows can be another indicator of settling. When a window is installed, a line of waterproof caulk is placed around the window’s edge. This is to make sure moisture is blocked from creeping in at the seam between window and window frame. When your foundation is settling, it strains window frames in a particular pattern. The caulking gets stretched or pulled to one side, usually towards the settling side.
A Visual Inspection Is Not Enough For Foundation Professionals
If there are clear signs of settling, the next step is determining the source of the problem and where piers need to be installed. At BAM, we use both carpenter’s levels, lasers and years of experience to help determine where the piering section needs to be installed. These tools help evaluate both the direction and the severity of the settlement. Sometimes they may even contradict the initial findings, by revealing an unlevel point in the foundation that is not readily visible. This is why these tools are essential for any proper and thorough diagnosis. Please be cautious of anyone who is content to “eyeball” your foundation and recommend repairs without a detailed examination.
You Should Feel Confident in Your Contractor
While we believe the majority of foundation repair companies are ethical business people, there is always the chance you’ll encounter one who is not. We want to help you recognize this, so you are not cheated or misled. There are companies that will assume they have to install piers for every crack they see, only look for one or two indications of settling, or assume where the piers should be installed without verification. The results of this incomplete assessment could be that you pay for more piers than your home needs. Even worse, you could end up paying for piers that were installed in the wrong location entirely. This is why it is so important that you are cautious when hiring a foundation repair company, knowledge and experience are invaluable. You should be confident that you are working with the right company for you.
DOES YOUR FOUNDATION NEED A PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION?
If you live in Des Moines, IA or surrounding cities call us! BAM Basements has helped lots of homeowners in our service area, restoring strength, health, and resale value to their homes.
You can either call us at 515-963-0226 or complete our online form. We’ll schedule an appointment for you with one of our well-trained sales team advisors. They will come to your home; discuss your concerns and any signs you’ve seen. Then they’ll do their own assessment of your entire home, using all of the tools and techniques available. Once your sales team advisor has determined the causes and issues, they’ll review their findings and recommended options with you. As a team, you will decide on the ideal whole-home solution that is right for you.
We want to be certain that settling is the problem and that we are installing piers in the right location. BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is your premier foundation repair company serving the Des Moines, Iowa area. If you’re located in Des Moines, Ankeny, Bondurant, Altoona Pleasant hill, Ames, Adel, Waukee, Indianola, Grimes, Urbandale, Johnston, West Des Moines, or the surrounding areas, we’re the place to call. We can help you avoid costly and stressful foundation repair mistakes, by giving you a customized solution that’s going to work for you and your home long term. BAM Basements and Masons of Des Moines is a professional and locally owned and operated state registered contractor. We offer affordable honest upfront pricing, no hidden costs, offer free estimates and limited lifetime warranties. We use new methods and materials on all jobs. We would love to help!