Contractor Tips Blog

Jun
5

How Much Will a Foundation Repair Cost?

One of the most common questions a foundation repair expert will be asked is the cost of a home foundation repair – it is also the hardest one to answer. Foundation problems can range from a small crack that can be quickly fixed to structural problems that can impact the entire home. However, there are averages that can help give you an idea of the range of cost for most foundation repairs.

Foundation Cracks

Small cracks in a home’s foundation are to be expected over time – larger cracks can lead to structural damage. Cracks over one-eighth of an inch can be a sign of a serious problem, but many cracks in foundations can be fixed for less than $1,000.

Leaking Basements

When a foundation is no longer sealed and leaking water, there are a few different options to fix the issue. Waterproofing or sealing your basement can cost $2,000-$6,000, depending on the size and what needs to be done.

Repairing Foundation Problems

When the foundation is settling or needs leveling, repairs can range from mudjacking and piering to underpinning and stabilization. These can start with small repairs that only cost $500-$1000 but can range up to $12,000 and beyond. It depends on how much of the foundation needs repair, the material of the foundation and what type of equipment and labor is required.

The only sure way to know how much a foundation repair costs is to schedule a foundation inspection with a masonry expert. A thorough inspection can narrow down the exact issue and what type of repair will be needed. This can give you the exact cost of the repair needed to fix this important structural element of your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

May
9

Finding and Fixing the Cause of Structural Cracks

Are there stair-step cracks in your brick or a crack forming on a interior wall? Cracks on structural surfaces of your home are more than just an aesthetic issue; they often are evidence of a deeper problem. Before you decide to cover up the crack and forget it, consider what these cracks may mean and what will happen if you do not find and fix the root cause.

Why Walls and Foundations Crack

Cracks do not appear on walls or foundations without reason. It requires stress to create a crack, usually from changes in the structure. The most common reason your chimney, foundation footing or walls will crack in your home is settling or sinking of the base foundation. If one area of the foundation sinks or shifts, it put stress on the structure above it. Cracks are the first signs that structural damage is occurring. If not fixed, the structural integrity could be at risk, endangering the safety of your home.

Fixing Structural Cracks

Hiding a crack with cement or plaster without investigating the cause is a bad idea. The problem is not likely to go away and will only continue to get worse and more expensive to fix. Fixing a surface crack is like putting a bandage over a scratch on a broken arm – it will hide the visible signs but not fix the real issue underneath.

To find and fix the cause of structural cracks, you need a foundation expert to inspect your home. A professional masonry or foundation repair specialist can locate the issues and help you find a solution to protect your home from further damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

Jul
18

Signs Your Home’s Foundation Needs Repairing

Underneath your home is the most important element of the structure – your foundation. Yes, the walls and roof are all important, but the foundation holds everything in place. If the integrity of your foundation is corrupted, your entire home is in jeopardy. Catch issues in your foundation early to prevent damage to the rest of your home. Here are some early signs that your foundation needs repairing.

  • Visible cracks. Not all foundation issues are easy to see, but sometime they can be in plain sight. If there are cracks in your foundation, it is a blatant sign that you need a repair. Even if your home still seems level and intact, call in a foundation expert for an inspection.

 

  • Stuck doors and windows. Are your windows and doors difficult to open or close? This can be a sign of settling under your foundation.

 

  • Unlevel floors. Have you noticed the floor slopes slightly in some rooms of your home? You may have a foundation that is settling on one side of your home, creating unlevel floors.

 

  • Cracked walls. Are there cracks in your brick or in the interior walls of your home? Often these are due to the foundation moving below the home. It can be caused by a rapid shift like an earthquake or a slow shifting of the foundation.

 

  • Separating walls and floors. If you have noticed that there gaps between your walls, floors and ceilings, this can occur due to foundation problems.

 

Foundation issues are serious. If you have any of these signs of foundation problems, call your local masonry or foundation specialist for an inspection. Repairing your foundation can fix these issues and protect your most important asset – your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

May
16

Why Is My Home’s Foundation Sinking?

One of the first questions many people have when they find out their house is sinking or settling, is “Why?” Why is it sinking and why now? Many people assume that it is simply age, that over time a house will settle. Yet, many newer homes can have a sinking foundation. Here’s why foundations sink or settle and what can be done to fix them.

Changes in the Soil

Soil is what supports your foundation – if your foundation is sinking, it is usually due to problem with the soil beneath it. For older homes, that soil may have been solid for many decades, but something changed the composition. This can be erosion from water (floods, water leaks, etc.), excessive tree roots and weather conditions. Soil with heavy amounts of clay are more prone to problems because clay swells with water and shrinks when dry, causing shifts in a foundation.

For newer homes with sinking foundations, it is often due to a poorly filled lot. If the soil is not properly compacted, the house can settle and sink, causing possible structural problems if the issue is not resolved. Unexpected water erosion can also be to blame, from natural disasters, plumbing leaks or localized flooding.

At the first signs that a foundation is sinking or settling, it is important to begin sinking foundation repairs right away. Settling can cause extensive damage to the house’s structure. However, if a foundation expert can begin work quickly, the damage can be minimized. Lifting and stabilizing the foundation can give the house the support it needs to protect it from further settling and structure damage. The important factor is having a foundation expert quickly assess the problem and begin repairing the issue before it gets worse.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

Jan
23

3 Questions You Should Ask Your Foundation Repair Company

If you need a repair on your home’s foundation, you want to ensure you have the best contractor for the job. The foundation of your home is one of the most important elements in protecting your investment, so you want to ensure that is repaired using the highest quality materials and most advanced techniques. Here are three questions to ask any foundation repair company you are considering for work on your home’s foundation.

  1. How many years has your company been repairing foundations? A company may have been in business for 20+ years and repair foundations, but have they been doing those types of repairs for twenty years? You want a company that has decades of experience repairing foundations, with an excellent reputation in the community.
  2. What type of warranty do you offer? Does the company stand behind their work? If they do, they will offer a lifetime warranty that is transferrable. It shouldn’t matter whether you own the home or sell it to someone else; the work should be warrantied and covered, regardless of who owns the house in the future, which will protect the value you have in your home.
  3. Do you have references? Most contractors will have references, but look for a foundation company that has a wide variety of references, including homeowners, building contractors, architects and realtors. Make sure to take the time to talk with a few of these references, not just read a pre-written testimonial.

Doing a little research and asking a few questions can make a big difference in the quality of foundation repair you receive. While price is important, a quality foundation repair contractor can offer you both good value and quality with their service.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

Apr
4

Signs of Basement Foundation Issues

If your home has a basement, it relies on the stability of the basement foundation as part of the structural integrity. Over time, your basement walls and underlying foundation can become damaged, putting your entire structure at risk. Be aware of the signs that your basement foundation may need repair to avoid costly damage to the rest of your home.

  • Bowed basement walls. A definite sign you need to call a masonry expert is bowed basement walls. If your basement walls have begun to bow inward or outward, do not wait any longer to have a foundation inspection and repair completed.
  • Cracks in basement walls. Another sign of foundation issues is cracks in the concrete or bricks of your basement walls. If you have a finished basement, these cracks can form in the drywall covering your walls. Keep an eye out for any cracks on the inside or outside of your basement walls or in any masonry throughout your home.
  • Sagging windows and doors. Have you noticed that the windows and doors in your basement are sagging? This is a sign of a foundation problem that can quickly endanger the structure of your home. When windows won’t open or doors begin to stick, call in a masonry or foundation expert to inspect your basement.

Any foundation issue should be taken seriously and undergo immediate repair. Even a small change in the foundation can affect the entire structure of your home, putting excessive pressure on joints and beams that keep your home in place. If you notice any of these signs, call a local masonry expert that specializes in foundation repairs to protect the large investment you have in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924

Jan
6

Is Your Home Sinking Under Your Feet?

Even the most carefully built homes can become victim to foundation settling. A house can remain level for decades and suddenly beginning sinking on one end of the building, causing walls to crack, putting the integrity of the home in jeopardy. Sometimes it is soil erosion from excess water or a natural disaster that cause the foundation to slip and move; often, it is just time taking its toll. But all is not lost. If you recognize the signs of a sinking or shifting foundation, you can have it repaired before it causes irreparable damage to your home.

Signs Your Foundation Is Sinking

A foundation that has already sunk is easy to recognize. Often you can feel it when you walk into a room with exterior walls at one end of the house. Rooms with hard floors may even be tilted enough to allow a pencil or ball to roll toward the outer wall. However, when the house’s foundation first begins to shift, the signs are more subtle. Some signs to watch for include:

  • Windows and doors sticking when you open or close them
  • Small cracks in floors, ceilings and walls
  • Additions to the home begin to separate or have a different level than the original structure

Once the process has begun, it will only get worse until it is repaired. If ignored, the sinking foundation could cause major structural damage to any masonry, plus cause the walls and roof to become unstable. It is crucial at the first sign of settling or sinking of the foundation to call a foundation repair specialist. Often repairs can be made to stop any further damage and to extend the life of the house for decades to come.

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

Oct
26

Signs of a Sinking Home Foundation

The foundation of a home is what protects the entire structure and keeps everything aligned and in place. When the foundation begins to sink due to soil erosion or other issues, the entire house is at risk of damage and even collapse. The good news is that a foundation that is sinking can be repaired and structural damage avoided if it is caught and repaired quickly. Often there are subtle signs that a foundation is sinking that can help alert homeowners to the problem before it cause substantial damage to the home.

  • Doors or windows are uneven. If suddenly doors and windows are not opening and closing easily or seem uneven, this could be a sign there is settling in the foundation.
  • Cracks. Cracks around windows, cracks in drywall, cracks in the actual walls or foundation – all these are signs that the whole house may be settling or the foundation sinking.
  • Uneven floors. Does one end of the house seem to have an uneven floor, usually leaning down toward the outside wall? The foundation may be sinking on that side of the house.
  • Roof leaks. If your roof is leaking, it can be a sign of a foundation problem. This is especially true if you have a newer roof that shouldn’t be having leaking issues.

A sinking foundation will only get worse and should never be ignored. The quicker the issue is addressed and repaired, the better chance you have of preventing further damage to the structure. In most cases, the longer you wait, the more expensive it will be to repair. At the first sign of a sinking foundation, call your local foundation repair professional to begin discussing repair solutions.

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

Jul
25

Top Signs of Home Foundation Problems

Your home’s foundation is the core structure that holds everything else in place. If it begins to shift, crack, sink or have other issues, it can endanger your entire home to sustaining major damage. However, most foundation problems can be repaired before major damage occurs to the home if you know the signs. Here are some of the top signs that your home may have foundation damage or problems: 

  • Wall cracking. One of the most noticeable signs of a foundation is cracks in interior or exterior walls. Settling or movement of the foundation can cause walls to crack above.
  • Sagging floors and doorways. If there are bows in the flooring or in doorways, it can be from a change in the foundation. You may also notice that flooring no longer meets perfectly in corners, with gaps between the flooring and wall.
  • Bowing walls. Any wall, load bearing or not, that is beginning to bow is a sign of a larger structural problem, often the foundation.
  • Strange odors. One of the signs that is not visual, yet can be a warning sign of foundation issues, is a strange or foul odor. This can be from mold and mildew growing in the home due to cracks in the walls and basement foundation.
  • Water pooling. If there is excess water pooling around the foundation or in the crawl space under the home, this is a sign of trouble. Excess water is one of the largest factors in foundation damage. 

At the first sign of possible foundation issues, call your local foundation repair contractor. They can inspect your home and foundation, then offer repair solutions to protect your home from further damage.

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

Apr
8

Is Your Porch, Steps or Deck Sinking?

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

 

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