Contractor Tips Blog
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
Do Your Masonry Walls Have Cracks?
If your home is built with masonry, there’s a good chance you will eventually see cracks appear on the walls. A small separation may be only a surface crack, with no real danger of affecting your home’s structure. On the other hand, the same small crack could also be a sign of bigger problems happening below the surface. There are a few common types of masonry cracks which can help you determine whether you should call a masonry expert for repairs.
Stair-Step Cracks
One of the most common cracks you will notice in masonry walls is the stair-step crack. These resemble the outline of a stairway, zig-zagging down the wall. Depending on where the crack is located, it may be caused by different factors, including:
- Settlement. Homes will settle over time, causing cracks in the masonry. Most settlement cracks occur near the corners of the walls. While these are usually not a danger, they can leave the home open to infestation and other problems, so it’s best to have them repaired as quickly as possible.
- Thermal expansion. Masonry is susceptible to expanding when heated, causing cracks in the walls. Most commonly, this happens on exterior walls exposed to afternoon sun. These can be located anywhere on the sun-exposed wall, and should be evaluated by a masonry expert.
The most dangerous crack scenarios are cracks combined with bowing or bulging walls. These walls may be in danger of falling, causing extensive damage to the structure and putting your family at risk of injury.
Any crack can be the start of more serious problems with your masonry walls. The best solution is to have all cracks evaluated and repaired by a masonry expert as soon you notice them around your home.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924
Garage Door Masonry Repairs
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
Will Your Chimney Last the Winter?
With the colder weather and holiday months upon us, it’s time to enjoy the heat that can only come from a roaring fire. However, to safely enjoy your fireplace, you must have a chimney which is properly functioning and in good repair. Over time, brick or stone chimneys can begin to lean, causing them to become an eyesore or worse, a hazard. If you have a chimney with structural problems, you need to have it repaired before it causes further damage to your home and ruins the upcoming holiday season.
Causes of Leaning Chimneys
Brick or masonry chimneys that are leaning are a definite hazard, and need to be repaired. The heavy weight of these structures can cause them to become unstable, crumbling or toppling down with the pull of gravity or during a storm. This can cause damage to your home, property, and even injure a family member or pet.
Most leaning chimneys are caused by a foundation problem. The footing the chimney rests upon may be sinking or cracking, making the chimney lean. An experienced foundation or chimney repair company can inspect your leaning chimney, and offer repair solutions before it causes more expensive damage to your home or family. It may need the footing repaired, as well as masonry repairs to the chimney, or even a full chimney replacement.
Don’t let a leaning chimney ruin your holiday season. Have your leaning chimney repaired now to prevent any avoidable accidents. Enjoy the winter months with a comforting fire, knowing your chimney is steady and stable, doing its job while you relax by the fireplace with your family.
Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924
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