Have you noticed a small crack in the side of your house and just shrugged it off thinking it was nothing? Well, that small crack could lead to an even larger one, resulting in a more serious problem called foundation settlement. Many homeowners are not aware of the increased risk that comes with having an older home. As a home ages, it is more susceptible to having a foundation that may crack, sink, and settle.

Your home is your largest investment, don’t let it crumble beneath your feet.

So… What is Foundation Settlement?

Foundation settlement occurs when specific areas of your home are distorted or disrupted due to unequal compaction of its foundation. It is the movement your home experiences when the soil beneath it can no longer support the weight of your home. You may see evidence of this in a number of different areas of the home.

Stair-step cracking is common in brick and concrete walls and indicates that the wall is rotating outward from the foundation.

Chimneys separating from the home is a rarer case of foundation settlement. Sometimes chimneys are built on their own foundation that is disconnected from the house, making it a larger risk for settlement.

Doors and windows are most prone to settlement because this is an opening in a wall, making it the weakest point.

Not only can you find signs of settlement on the outside of your home, but there are also indicators inside the home that you can look for. Drywall cracks and stair-step cracks are interior indicators of foundation settlement.

How to fix it. (The Do’s and Don’ts)

To fix foundation settlement, it is essential that you have a reliable contractor who is knowledgeable and experienced in foundation repair. But before we go into the best solutions, here are a few solutions that DO NOT work.

The Don’ts

Total Foundation Replacement

This may seem like the most logical fix to the settlement problem, but overall this does not address the real issue. The soil is the problem, not the foundation.

Concrete Piers

Even though concrete seems like a strong enough material to hold a house together, many things can go wrong with the installation of piers. The piers may not be installed straight, and the concrete can crack and break under pressure.

The Do’s- Solutions that Work

Steel Push Piers

Push piers are installed deep into the soil and bedrock and can be installed from the exterior or interior of your home. Steel push piers provide the ability to lift your home back towards its original position.

Helical Piers

This is another steel piering system. The first section installed into the ground has one or more helix shaped blades welded to the shaft, and additional extensions are used to extend the pier to the necessary depth. These are also effective for closing cracks and improving the operation of doors and windows.