Contractor Tips Blog

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

Feb
17

Signs Your Bay Window Needs Repairing

Bay windows add light and beauty to your home, but they can also be one of the first structural areas to become unstable. These heavy windows need a solid structure to support their weight. If there is any settling in the foundation or other structural issues in your home, your bay windows may be the first area to alert you to a problem. Here are some signs that your bay windows, and possibly your foundation, may need repair.

  • Windows are hard to open/close. If the structure is unlevel around your windows, they are likely to be hard to open or close. If it is only your bay windows, not other windows in your home, that are not functioning, you may only need structural support for your heavy bay windows.
  • Cracks in corners. Are there cracks appearing in the corners around your bay window? This could be from the window settling due to lack of support, or you may have structural or foundation issues in your home.
  • Visible sagging. If the window frames are sagging or the entire bay window seems to sag when you view it from the exterior, call a foundation and bay window repair company. The window may be unstable and needs immediate inspection for safety.

Bay windows often are installed without the necessary support, leading to structural issues. They can also become unstable or unlevel due to problems with your home’s foundation. If you notice any of these signs, call a foundation contractor that also offers bay window repairs. They can inspect your bay windows and home’s foundation to determine where the problem is and suggest the best repair option to protect your home.

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

Dec
30

Is the Brick on Your Home Separating?

Brick is beautiful and can last for many decades, with many brick homes lasting centuries. However, time and the elements can take their toll, even on the most well-built brick home. Settling in the foundation and other issues can lead to bricks separating, causing the tell-tale staircase gap that you see on many older brick buildings. So what can you do when you begin having these issues on your home?

Brick repair is not as simple as just filling in the gaps between your bricks with mortar. First, the underlying cause must be addressed. Just repairing the bricks is like putting a bandage on a bullet wound. The problem will just reappear and continue to get worse if not repaired at the foundation or structural level of your home.

For brick home repair, you need a qualified masonry company that can not only fix the gaps in your brick, but repair the underlying cause. In many cases, the foundation is to blame. A settling or sinking foundation can create the staircase gap in brick walls, as well as put the structural integrity of your home at risk. An experienced masonry company that specializes in foundation repair can fix both the base problem and the cosmetic issue of your separating brick, protecting your investment into your home.

Don’t ignore the signs of a foundation issue in your home. If you have noticed cracks forming in your walls or gaps appearing around your bricks, call your local masonry experts for an inspection. They can find the root cause and have it repaired before it causes any more damage to your home.

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

Sep
9

Inspecting Your Home for Structural Issues

Foundation and structural damage rarely happen overnight. Unless caused by a natural disaster, most changes in the structural integrity happen slowly over time. When you see your home day in and day out, year after year, you may not notice the small signs that your structure may be beginning to have problems. The quicker you address structural issues, the less expensive they tend to be, making it easier on your budget. A quick inspection of your home a few times per year can help you catch these small issues and have them repaired before they cause major and expensive damage to your home. Here are some signs to look for inside and outside your home:

  • Walls. Check for cracks in drywall in the interior that could be caused from structural damage or foundation shifts. On the exterior, uneven siding or shingles and step cracks in brick could be caused by foundation issues.
  • Chimney. Look for cracks in brick chimneys or for leaning in the structure. It may be only the chimney that needs masonry work, but it should be inspected by a masonry expert.
  • Doors and windows. Doors and windows that stick can be signs of foundation issues. Also, doors that swing open may be caused by structural shifts. Gaps around doors and windows are another sign of possible structural problems.
  • Use a level. Check the level of the floors in all rooms of the home on the ground level.

Keeping an eye out for these small changes in your home can alert you to issues before they become a major expense. At the first sign, contact a reputable contractor that specializes in structural and foundation repair to have a professional inspection.

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

Jan
28

Do You Have a Sagging Floor in Your Home?

Is there a noticeable slope or sagging in one or more rooms in your home? This is especially common in homes that are built with a crawl space underneath the home. Over time, the floor boards can begin to sag due to a lack of support. This type of issue should never be ignored. The problem will only proceed to worsen, causing safety issues and can also impact the value of your home. Often the problem can be repaired with some added support to the foundation of the home.

Most sagging floors are on homes without the steel beams under the main level flooring that are usually in place for homes with a basement. This lack of additional support allows the floor boards to sag over time. Sagging floors can also be a sign of more crucial structural damage and are an indication that the home needs foundation repair.

In many cases a sagging floor can be repaired with the addition of steel support beams under the flooring. Contractors may use floor hydraulic jacks to bring the floor back to a level position, then add steel beams and/or solid footers to support the home. This creates a solid foundation that is lacking in homes with only a crawl space underneath instead of a solid foundation or structurally sound basement that adds extra support.

Don’t live with sagging floors. Call your local foundation contractor to get an estimate on repairing your home’s support system. Not only can it improve the look of your home by leveling sagging floors, it can extend the life and increase the value of your most important asset.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(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

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