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Warning Signs of Foundation Issues

1. Exterior Cracks
Fine, small cracks in the exterior walls or on the steps are usually nothing to worry about. Exterior cracks that are large and have a zig-zag pattern may be a sign that there’s something wrong with the foundation. Brick cracks or bricks that are protruding from the wall should be checked.

2. Interior Sheetrock Cracks
The homeowner should suspect a problem when the interior sheetrock cracks are zig-zagging and run nearly the height of the wall. They should also call in a contractor if the wallpaper is pulling away from the wall and if there are cracks at the junction of the wall and the ceiling.

3. Doors Out of Square and Uneven Floors
Very few homes are plumb after a few years of settling, but a door that is really out of square and has cracks in the wall above it should be looked at. Lots of owners of otherwise sound houses have such uneven floors that if they spill some water on the floor it rolls in one direction. A homeowner should be worried if the gradient of the floor is more than one or two inches every 15 feet.

4. Tile Cracks
Though tiles fired at high temperatures are quite hard, they’re also brittle. Many things can cause tile cracks. If there are too many tile cracks in the kitchen, bathroom, or wherever they are, this might be a sign of foundation trouble.

5. Door Frame/Window Frame Separation from Brick
A window or door frame that’s pulling away from the brick wall is a serious sign that the foundation is in trouble.

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ABC Foundation Repair

Answer Your Questions

Does My Home Need Foundation Repair or House Leveling?

It is best to request a quote from the pros, however, there are signs that you can look for. Below are a few key points to look for:

  • Cracks in your ceiling or walls.
  • Cracks on the exterior of your house, specifically on bricks or stonework at the base of your home.
  • Doors are sticking and not opening or shutting correctly.
  • Your floors seem to dip lower on one side of the house.
  • When looking at your house from the outside, it’s visibly uneven.

What is House Leveling?

House leveling is the process of lifting or adjusting a home back to it’s original, level position.

Often times, homes tend to shift over decades of soil erosion and ground movement. New homes are held to a standard of which the foundation should be no more than 1.5 inches deviated from level (per the American Concrete Institute).

Once a home’s foundation moves from level, the goal of leveling is to get the home back to the position it was when it was new. Many homeowners tend to overlook small differences and variations in foundation elevations and end up noticing the problem once the situation is critical. ABC Foundation Repair works with our clients to ensure homes are leveled within a safe and reasonable tolerance.

All traditional houses are built on a foundation, and though the foundation type may vary, they all can face the same issues: settling, cracking, and heaving. Foundation leveling in Texas is generally necessary due to a few common causes: too much moisture, issues with the soil, and improperly installed foundation components.

House leveling and foundation repair are some of the most important repairs a home will need over the course of its life. The weight of your home, and all items within it rest of your home’s foundation. House foundations must be properly designed and installed, and if necessary, repaired to avoid devaluation of your home.

How Does House Leveling and Foundation Repair Work?

The process for leveling a house varies depending on the home’s specific foundation type. Each type has multiple methods for foundation repair to bring the foundation to the standard level. Each method for leveling a home’s foundation is unique depending on exactly why the foundation is needing repair. Regardless of the method of foundation leveling used, the end-goal is always the same: a level foundation and a more accurately, a repaired foundation.

Concrete Slab Foundation Leveling:

ABC Foundation Repair utilizes multiple tools to solve different foundation issues. The area around the perimeter of a home may be excavated to allow for the installation of concrete pilings, concrete piers, or steel pilings. To prevent the likelihood of soil swelling during and after the foundation is repaired, soil injections are sometimes used.

Pier & Beam Foundation Leveling:

Pier & Beam foundations can be leveled and repaired with the installation of steel or concrete pilings under critical locations under the concrete foundation perimeter. The foundation interior is adjusted by removing or adding shims placed at the top of the interior columns. Often times, foundation and home movement are caused by improperly installed or damaged wooden components.

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