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Have you noticed a lean or sag in your front steps or stoop? Is your porch or deck uneven? These are common problems that happen when footings begin to sink or settle on older homes. Not only does this devalue your home aesthetically, it can be dangerous for you, your family and your guests. The good news is that these settling issues can be fixed, often without needing to replace the entire structure above.

Resolving Sinking or Settling Footings

The cause of most sinking or leaning porches, decks or steps is not the structure itself, but the footings or foundation that it is braced upon. Posts, footings and foundations will settle over time, allowing the structure above to become uneven. This can lead to many issues, including:

• Cracked or uneven steps
• Cracked or uneven porches or stoops
• Leaning decks
• Disconnected joints in railings

In many cases, an experienced masonry or foundation specialist can resolve the issue without needing to replace the entire structure. Foundation experts can use specialized equipment and techniques to permanently fix settling issues so that the base for footings or posts are level and secure. Those with expertise in masonry can also fix cracks and other damage caused by the settled foundation, making concrete or brick porches and steps safe and beautiful again.

If you have settling problems surrounding the entrances to your home, don’t wait to have them repaired. The more the posts, footings or foundations sink, the most damage they will cause to the structure. Call a foundation and masonry expert to evaluate the problem and offer solutions to get your steps, porch or deck back on even ground.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924

Cracks in the brick and mortar above garage doors can signal foundation settling or sagging of the lintel. Major settling will require foundation repair, but most cases are minor settlement issues and can be easily repaired by removing the damaged bricks and mortar and replacing them. It is important that any cracks in the bricks and mortar above the garage door(s), or any part of the home, be looked at and evaluated by a professional masonry company right away. Quick evaluation can save thousands of dollars and weeks of time in repair. 

The most important factor in any brick and mortar restoration once foundation issues have been eliminated or resolved is the mortar used. The replacement mortar requires more than just matching color. Improper mortar will not bond to the original mortar in the joints correctly, causing more damage to occur in the future. Cracks in the bricks and mortar above the garage must be carefully restored in order to ensure proper restoration and the longevity of the repair. Mortar that is too hard or too soft can crumble, crack, or deteriorate allowing re-cracking, additional damage, falling bricks, and even falling walls. 

Damage to the exterior walls of garage doors requires masonry repair. Masonry is thousands of years old, and it is the trusted method for all brick and mortar repairs to garage doors. If you have noticed a crack in your brick or mortar, contact a masonry contractor immediately. That crack could mean much more than a simple settling issue – it could indicate that the foundation of your home is compromised.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924

Both older and new homes can fall victim to foundation settling. Due to environmental, structural and other factors, foundations can begin to sink or settle over time. This may lead to uneven floors, damage to walls and windows and even danger of structural collapse. If you own a home which has begun to show signs of foundation settling, it’s imperative to have the problem resolved before your foundation and home become compromised. 

Causes Of Foundation Settling

It’s common for the foundations of older homes to settle decades after they were built. Still, older homes aren’t the only structures susceptible to settling. Often, time is not the sole culprit; there are several other factors which may be contributing to a sinking or settling foundation. 

• Soil. Homes built on soil with a high clay composition are often in greater danger of sinking or settling than those built upon other soil types. Clay compacts quicker than looser soils, allowing the foundation to sink in certain spots. Clay also poorly disperses water, trapping moisture near the surface which can damage the foundation.
   
• Foundation construction. Some foundations are poorly constructed, making them settle quickly even though they may be only a few years old.
   
• Environmental changes. Earth shifts, heavy precipitation and structural damage from severe storms can all effect a home’s foundation. 

The first signs a foundation is settling are often cracks in the exterior or basement walls, as well as in the foundation slab. The good news is that often, these settling and foundation problems can be fixed or repaired before more damage is done to the structure of the home. If you are concerned that your home is beginning to settle, don’t wait to call an experienced foundation repair expert to assess and repair the damage, preventing further settling and loss of value to your property.

Posted on behalf of Anglins Foundation Repairs