Your home's foundation is the bedrock upon which your entire living space rests, providing stability and support to everything above it. While taking this crucial structural element for granted is easy, foundation issues can quietly develop over time, potentially leading to significant problems if left unaddressed.
At Midwest Structural Solutions, understanding the warning signs of a sinking foundation is essential for every homeowner and prospective buyer.
We'll walk you through the telltale indicators your foundation might be experiencing settlement, offering insights into the common causes behind this issue and the steps you can take to prevent further damage.
7 Signs Your Foundation Is Sinking
Recognizing signs of a sinking foundation is crucial for homeowners. Some common signs include:
- Cracks in Walls and Floors: Vertical or diagonal cracks in walls, especially near doors and windows, or cracks in concrete floors can indicate foundation settlement.
- Uneven or Sagging Floors: If floors slope noticeably or feel uneven, it could be due to foundation issues.
- Doors and Windows Misalignment: Difficulty opening and closing doors and windows and visible gaps or misalignment may suggest foundation movement.
- Stair-step Cracks in Bricks: Bricks on the exterior with cracks that resemble stair-steps can be a sign of foundation settling.
- Gaps Around Doors and Windows: Gaps between frames and walls, or separation of trim from walls, may indicate foundation problems.
- Sinking or Settling Porches and Decks: Porches, decks, or other structures attached to the home sinking or tilting can be linked to foundation issues.
- Basement or Crawlspace Issues: Moisture or water in basements or crawlspaces or visible cracks in foundation walls can signal foundation problems.
Common Causes of Foundation Settling & Sinking
Let's delve deeper into the common causes of a sinking foundation:
- Soil Type: Different soil types have varying moisture retention and expansion levels. Expansive clay soils are particularly problematic. These soils expand and exert pressure on the foundation when they absorb water. Conversely, the soil contracts during dry periods and can lead to foundation settlement.
- Poor Drainage: Inadequate drainage around a home can result in water pooling near the foundation. This excess water can soften the soil, causing it to erode and wash away. As the soil beneath the foundation becomes less stable, settling can occur.
- Improper Compaction: The soil underneath a home's foundation needs to be correctly compacted before construction. If this step is overlooked, the soil can settle unevenly over time, leading to foundation movement.
- Tree Roots: Large trees planted too close to a home can have extensive root systems that draw moisture from the soil. As the soil dries out, it can shrink, creating voids beneath the foundation. This can result in differential settlement, where parts of the foundation sink more than others.
- Underlying Geology: Geological factors like sinkholes, underground streams, or cavities in the ground can affect the stability of the soil and foundation. These natural features can cause uneven settling and foundation problems.
- Hydrostatic Pressure: Excess moisture in the soil surrounding the foundation can create hydrostatic pressure. This pressure pushes against the foundation walls and can lead to cracks and movement.
- Poor Construction: If the foundation was not properly designed or constructed, it may not be able to support the structure's weight adequately. Over time, this can result in settlement and structural issues.
- Changes in Moisture Levels: Rapid changes in moisture levels, such as heavy rain followed by drought, can cause the soil to expand and contract rapidly. This cycle of soil movement can contribute to foundation problems.
It's important to note that multiple factors can interact and exacerbate foundation issues. Regular maintenance, proper drainage, and early detection of warning signs can help homeowners prevent or mitigate foundation problems.
Helical Piers & Push Piers Can Fix Sinking Foundations
Helical and push piers are foundation underpinning systems designed to stabilize and lift a sinking or settling foundation. They are commonly used to address foundation issues caused by soil movement, poor compaction, and other factors. Midwest Structural Solutions relies on helical and push piers to help solve foundation-sinking issues. Here's how they work and the critical differences between them:
Helical Piers
Helical piers consist of a steel shaft with helical plates (similar to large screws) attached to it. These plates allow the pier to be "screwed" into the soil, reaching stable, load-bearing strata beneath the problematic soil layers. Helical piers are often used in areas with difficult soil conditions or where the foundation needs to be lifted to its original position.
Key features and benefits of helical piers:
- Installation Process: Helical piers are mechanically screwed into the ground using hydraulic equipment. The depth and torque required for installation are monitored to ensure the piers reach stable soil.
- Versatility: Helical piers can be installed in confined spaces and can be used to stabilize both residential and commercial structures.
- Immediate Load Transfer: As helical piers are installed, they provide immediate support and load transfer to more stable soil layers, helping to lift and stabilize the foundation.
- Minimal Disturbance: Helical piers generate minimal vibration during installation, making them suitable for projects where minimizing disruption is crucial.
Push Piers
Push piers consist of steel tubes driven or "pushed" into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil. These piers are driven hydraulically, and their primary function is to support and stabilize the foundation by transferring its weight to more competent soil layers.
Key features and benefits of push piers:
- Installation Process: Push piers are hydraulically driven into the ground until they reach a stable soil layer or load-bearing stratum. The process involves measuring the load capacity of each pier as it's installed.
- Lifting Capability: While push piers are primarily designed for stabilization, they can also provide some limited lifting of the foundation back to its original position.
- Adaptable for Different Conditions: Push piers can be used in various soil types and foundation situations, making them versatile.
- Proven Effectiveness: Push piers have a long history of successful use in foundation repair, making them a reliable choice for addressing settlement issues.
Helical and push piers are effective foundation repair solutions that help stabilize and lift a sinking or settling foundation. The choice between the two depends on factors such as soil conditions, project requirements, and the severity of the foundation issue.
Midwest Structural Solutions Are Your Local Foundation Repair Experts
At Midwest Structural Solution, we work with homeowners to explain the benefits of these foundation-underpinning methods and help them understand which solution might be more suitable for their specific needs.
Contact us today at (812) 408-1386 or message us to learn more or claim your FREE 29-point evaluation.
