Services / Foundation repair
Foundation repair for cracks, bowing walls and settling
Water and foundation problems usually go together. We look at the cause first, because a repair that ignores the water tends to come back.
Signs worth a look
- Stair-step cracks in block or brick walls
- Horizontal cracks, or walls that bow or lean inward
- Cracks that are getting wider or longer
- Doors and windows that stick or no longer close squarely
- Gaps where a wall meets the floor or ceiling
- Floors that slope or feel uneven
Not every crack is a structural problem. Hairline cracks in poured concrete are common. We will tell you if yours is one to watch and not one to fix.
How we work on it
- Find the cause. Water pressing on the wall, soil that moves, or the age of the home.
- Explain it plainly. Cosmetic, worth monitoring, or in need of repair.
- Fix the cause and repair the wall. Drainage first when water is behind it.
- Bring in an engineer when it calls for one. If what we see looks serious, we say so.
Many older Quad Cities homes have stone or block foundations, which are more likely to crack and move. See why basements here take on water.
Common questions
Is every foundation crack a problem?
No. Hairline cracks in poured concrete are common and often cosmetic. Cracks that are wider than a pencil line, that run sideways or in a stair-step pattern, or that are getting bigger are worth a look. We will tell you which kind you have.
Why do you look at drainage when I called about a crack?
Water pressing on a wall is one of the most common reasons walls crack and bow. A repair that ignores the water tends to come back. We look at the cause first.
What if it needs an engineer?
If what we see looks structural or serious, we will say so and tell you when to bring in a structural engineer.
Worried about a crack?
Book a free visit. We will look, explain what it means and give you a clear price if it needs work.