When you need foundation repairs, free estimates are the best way to go. A free estimate allows you to get to know the different contractors and how they treat their clients. It also prevents you from feeling obligated to chose one of the companies because you haven't invested money in them yet. The first step of the process is determining the problem or problems. Every house will settle over time and the foundation may crack. Up and Down Vertical cracks are very common and are caused by the curing of the concrete over time. As the concrete continues to dry, sections will pull away from each other and crack. These are often not structural problems, but do allow water to seep in. They are fixed with an epoxy that is injected in the crack. Diagonal Cracks that are diagonal across the wall often times indicate an uneven settling under the foundation. These can have a significant impact structurally on a home but usually manifest as stuck doors and windows. One corner may have been built on different soil composition than the rest and over time can settle due to the weight of the house. With diagonal cracks, the lower corner is lifted up level with the house and then the crack is sealed to prevent water leaking through. Side to Side Horizontal cracks may be the most dangerous. Horizontal cracks are oftentimes caused by pressure from behind the wall. On the outside of the foundation wall, dirt and gravel are piled to allow water to drain more easily away from the house. If this is not done properly, the dirt can begin to compact and push against the wall. As the pressure builds over time, the wall will eventually fall into the basement. Repair of horizontal cracks can be two fold. In order to stabilize the wall. Straps are drilled through the wall and deep into the surrounding earth. These straps pull the wall up straight and offer additional support to keep them from falling in. The other half is to determine what is causing the pressure build up behind the wall and correcting that. There is a lot of information in all of the foundation repair free estimates. The most critical is assessing the cracks, the causes, and the method for repairing them.
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