Foundation settlement can lead to serious issues like bowed walls and burst pipes. Acculevel provides basement repair services designed to address these problems at their source. Here’s what Belleville homeowners should know about identifying and fixing basement settlement:
Foundation and basement repair planning can include checking for settlement. Settlement refers to the foundation of your home sinking into the soil as the weight of the structure compresses the ground. Changes in the soil, such as water saturation, around the house can cause it to soften or erode. Lack of soil compaction can also cause settlement. Granular soils are loosely packed and often contain more air pockets than other soil types.
Eroding soil can lead to uneven settlement. This means parts of the home sink faster than others. The uneven settlement pulls the home in opposing directions, putting pressure on the house.
The structure of a home is not flexible. Settlement places pressure on the rigid structure, causing the home to warp and crack. Other symptoms of settlement include:
Drywall cracks: As the foundation shifts, pressure builds and strains interior walls, resulting in cracks—especially near ceilings, doorways, and window frames.
Sticking doors and windows: Foundation movement affects the wood framing of the home, making doors and windows difficult to open or close.
Foundation or exterior cracks: As the foundation struggles to support the weight of the home, cracks may appear in exterior brick or block walls.
Window seals may stretch or separate as the house settles, damaging the caulking and reducing energy efficiency. You may also notice the floor of the basement or garage sloping outwards. If you find these symptoms in your home, contact a contractor as soon as possible. A project manager will visit your home, using a leveler to check for shifts. After the inspection, they will offer a diagnosis. At Acculevel, we offer complimentary home inspections to help you make informed decisions about enhancing the safety of your space.
Helical piers help repair a foundation that has undergone settlement. These piers are steel shafts with helical plates that function like screws, anchoring the foundation to stable soil. They are mechanically advanced into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil. We utilize a pressure gauge system to determine the optimal depth for your property. The steel bracket is positioned under the footing of the house to keep the walls in place. Helical piers can serve as a permanent repair solution.
Acculevel offers concrete leveling, water intrusion prevention, egress window installation, and a range of other repair services. Our team typically follows up within 48 hours to schedule your consultation. We invite you to fill out our online form or call us to learn more about our basement repair services.
