Foundation Repair in St Joseph, MO

Wall cracks are often caused by poor construction or foundation failure. Understanding the types of wall cracks can help you understand how serious your foundation issues might be. Hairline cracks: If you have a newly constructed house, hairline cracks are common within a few years of construction. You can repair these cracks by using fillers and applying a layer of paint over them. The size of these cracks is less than 1 millimeter, so they are not serious and may appear when your foundation starts to dry and settle, which is usually not a matter of concern.

• Horizontal cracks: If you observe horizontal cracks anywhere around your walls or basement area, there may be hydrostatic pressure causing the soil to shift. If these cracks are not treated properly, they will pose a threat to your structure. With professional assistance, these cracks should be treated and the underlying structural issues addressed.
• Vertical cracks: Vertical cracks are less serious than horizontal cracks and will not compromise your home’s structural integrity as they emerge. However, if these cracks get wider, 5-15 mm or more, then they could be a result of foundation problems.
• Diagonal cracks: While vertical cracks form due to temperature fluctuations, diagonal cracks are longer and go up against the wall diagonally at a 30-degree angle, indicating potential structural movement and damage.
• Stair-step cracks: As the name suggests, these cracks resemble the shape of a staircase and usually form in brick walls and masonry. These cracks are common in brick foundations, Windows, and Doors that Don’t Shut Properly and are formed due to settling foundations or even damage. Instead of ignoring these cracks, hire a professional to complete an inspection. Cracks above doors and window frames: If you find that your doors and windows are not closing easily, you may have foundation damage. Shifting door or window frames not only causes cracks, creating drafts but indicating that your foundation is moving.

When your windows or doors stop closing normally, your first instinct may be to repair hinges or locks. But jammed doors and windows could actually be a result of foundation issues. Moisture issues, a shifting foundation, or foundation cracks can also cause extra pressure on window or door frames, making them difficult to open or close.

Garage foundations can display the same issues as the foundation of your home. Usually, garage foundations are made up of poured concrete slabs or blocks. But if foundation issues persist, you will notice the following symptoms around the area:

• Cracks in the wall and floor
• Prominent space between door frames and walls
• Flooding or standing water
• Soil movement
• A sloping or uneven floor
• Prominent gap between your home and garage space

If you observe any of these signs, call us immediately for a free consultation in St.Joseph, MO.

It’s possible that your foundation was built with low-quality materials or that the builders cut corners. The foundation type may not be appropriate to the existing soil conditions. Likewise, if a contractor does not maintain the foundation’s level or if they build your home above two types of soil, one which absorbs moisture and the other which doesn’t, then your structural integrity will be damaged as the foundation will be under a lot of stress.

In some areas, soil may have excess water content and a highly absorbent capacity or simply constantly absorb moisture due to climate. When there is excess moisture in the soil, it expands and disrupts the soil’s stability, thus preventing proper foundation support. Many water sources could make soil unsuitable for maintaining structural integrity, such as:

• Flood or heavy rainfall
• Melting snow
• Overflowing water from gutters and rooftops
• Standing water near the foundation
• Broken drainage system

All of this moisture must be directed away from the foundation area to prevent moisture from entering the foundation.If you have any problems, call KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair in St. Joseph, MO, for expert assistance. Do not postpone repair plans, as minor damage today could lead to havoc in the future.

Pier installation is one of the permanent solutions for restoring your home’s support system. We install piers by drilling them deep in the soil to provide extra support to your home’s base. There are different types of piers, but the two we use most commonly are push piers and helical piers.

• Push Piers: These steel piers are driven into the ground and attached to the foundation by brackets in order to lift and stabilize it.
• Helical Piers: These piers are installed by twisting them into compact soil until they reach the desired depth.
• Concrete Piers: These piers are installed by excavating holes deep into the soil and pouring concrete into them.

Push piers are best for heavy or large buildings since the weight of the building pushes them into the ground. They have a high load-bearing capacity for providing extra support. They can be installed in tight spaces and are a long-term solution for foundation issues. No matter what solution we use, depending on the foundation, we provide you with a well-repaired structure, peace of mind, and increased property value. Contact us now in St Joseph, MO, to get rid of pests, mold, and moisture issues and repair your foundation for years to come.

Moisture issues are a frustrating obstacle that hinders the use of your basement. With our service in St. Joseph, MO, you don’t have to worry about a damp or leaky basement anymore! Basement waterproofing is all about sealing cracks and leaks to recurring problems. KC Waterproofing and Repair in St. Joseph, MO, provides you with a range of waterproofing services according to your basement’s needs, including: If you need exterior waterproofing around your basement, we start by excavating the soil outside the exterior wall and then applying a waterproofing coating. For interior waterproofing, we use our KCW Drain System™, and if needed, we also add a sump pump and drainage pipe to direct water away from the basement area.

If you have constant moisture issues, you should consider a dehumidifier as part of waterproofing your basement. Dehumidifiers keep your basement dry at all times by removing excess moisture.

You can use this environmentally friendly method when your foundation needs a lift with minimal disturbance to your daily routine. Polyfill is also known as foam jacking, poly-lifting, or poly leveling. To use polyfill for foundation repair, we start by drilling small holes, after which we inject polyurethane foam in void spaces. The foam hardens and helps the surface level. This method is useful to treat multiple foundation issues such as sloping floors, cracks in walls or ceilings, and out-of-square doors.