Foundation Repair In Stamford, Connecticut
|
We at Stamford Foundation Repair are passionate about all things foundation, including concrete, basements and crawlspaces. We complete both structural foundation repairs and basement waterproofing repairs. In searching for a foundation repair company it's important to find a company that can do both. Some companies that primarily do waterproofing and are not experienced in structural repairs will claim that they can do structural work, but they really have little experience in structural repair. The same goes for companies more experienced in structural work who take waterproofing and finishing lightly.
It's important to find a company offering comprehensive solutions for your foundation repair needs. With a building's foundation you want to be sure that any repairs made are done by experts who have a track record of solving whatever problem you have; you don't want to take chances with the literal foundation of your property. You also want to deal with a company that is licensed, bonded and insured and familiar with obtaining the proper permits to complete the work. They need to work efficiently and only fix what you need them to, without trying to sell you on things you do not need. Comprehensive foundation repair solutions, customer service of the highest standard, and clear, straight forward pricing without upsells, cross-sells and hidden fees and charges. That's our commitment to our clients. 
|
|
How Do you know a House nEeds Foundation Repair?
A building foundation is literally it's foundation; it's importance a metaphor for the most fundamental part of something. When a home's foundation has problems it can lead to other problems not the least of which are damage to building's structure. Basement flooding is a major and obvious hazard; because basements are often used for storage, anything in a seriously flooded basement could become so damaged that it needs to be removed and junked. Besides that there are other dangers like cracked walls, uneven floors and eventually splitting studs ands joists. For concrete slab foundations, shifting and cracks can make a home uninhabitable if not addressed soon enough. It's essential to be able to identify and repair issues with a foundation because they are the kind of problem that only gets worse the longer it is not addressed.
To understand how to identify foundation problems, it's necessary to know a little bit about foundations and how they are built. Broadly understood there are three common kinds of foundations, basements, crawls spaces and slab foundations. Slab foundations are the most common foundation type. Slab foundations are made of four to eight inch thick poured concrete reinforced with rebar. This concrete construction type is also used for other concrete structures such as a pool deck. Basement foundations are made of underground walls that hold up the house's structure above it. Basements add extra storage or living space to a house but because they require more materials and labor the are the most costly foundation type. Crawl spaces have short, concrete walls that protrude a few feet off the ground upon which the structure of the house rest on. All concrete foundations rest on what are called footings. Concrete repair for foundations can be a result failure in any of these areas.
Foundations are chosen based on the size of the building and the kind of soil, softer soil requires different solutions that firmer soil. Local building codes, the location of underground water, where flood zones are located and the height of the frost line all affect what kind of foundation is appropriate for a home.
Because foundations made of concrete are built on soil and soil moves over time, a house gradually sinks downward due to the force of gravity. This happens regardless of how well the foundation was built or the condition of the soil. In the best cases houses settle a little bit over time evenly distributed across the building. Good construction accounts for the the normal expansion and contraction of soil. A good concrete contractor who is skilled in building foundation will have provided for this natural, gradual change in area around the foundation.
Problems occur when the foundation expands, contracts or settle too much. If the condition of the soil beneath a foundation change to drastically, say as the result of a drought and flooding cycle, they can sink too much too fast. Another problem can happen when a foundation shrinks. As a part of its hardening or chemical curing process concrete shrinks naturally. It can be seen in the space where the foundation wall meets the foundation slab in basement foundations. Foundation expansion is the third common cause of major foundation problems. This commonly occurs in foundation made of brick. Brick naturally absorbs moisture and expands over time. Brick above ground expands faster than brick underground, though brick below grade also expands.
Not all cracks in a basement floor indicate the need for foundation repair. Narrow cracks in a basement floor could just be the result of natural settling (in that case if the cracks are bothersome, epoxy floors could be a good solution). That said, some cracks are symptoms of foundation trouble. One way to judge if a major foundation repair could be necessary are noticeable crack in walls that grow larger over time. Diagonal cracks along drywall in a home is an example of this. Cracks and gaps on upper stories are a sign that concrete repair or foundation repair is necessary too, since they are naturally less rigid than areas closer to the foundation; this also includes crack or gaps in the roof. Doors and windows getting stuck upon closing and opening when nothing has changed with them is another sign there could a problem with a home's foundation. Water in the basement is another sign. In the case of a damaged foundation water can seep in through cracks.
To understand how to identify foundation problems, it's necessary to know a little bit about foundations and how they are built. Broadly understood there are three common kinds of foundations, basements, crawls spaces and slab foundations. Slab foundations are the most common foundation type. Slab foundations are made of four to eight inch thick poured concrete reinforced with rebar. This concrete construction type is also used for other concrete structures such as a pool deck. Basement foundations are made of underground walls that hold up the house's structure above it. Basements add extra storage or living space to a house but because they require more materials and labor the are the most costly foundation type. Crawl spaces have short, concrete walls that protrude a few feet off the ground upon which the structure of the house rest on. All concrete foundations rest on what are called footings. Concrete repair for foundations can be a result failure in any of these areas.
Foundations are chosen based on the size of the building and the kind of soil, softer soil requires different solutions that firmer soil. Local building codes, the location of underground water, where flood zones are located and the height of the frost line all affect what kind of foundation is appropriate for a home.
Because foundations made of concrete are built on soil and soil moves over time, a house gradually sinks downward due to the force of gravity. This happens regardless of how well the foundation was built or the condition of the soil. In the best cases houses settle a little bit over time evenly distributed across the building. Good construction accounts for the the normal expansion and contraction of soil. A good concrete contractor who is skilled in building foundation will have provided for this natural, gradual change in area around the foundation.
Problems occur when the foundation expands, contracts or settle too much. If the condition of the soil beneath a foundation change to drastically, say as the result of a drought and flooding cycle, they can sink too much too fast. Another problem can happen when a foundation shrinks. As a part of its hardening or chemical curing process concrete shrinks naturally. It can be seen in the space where the foundation wall meets the foundation slab in basement foundations. Foundation expansion is the third common cause of major foundation problems. This commonly occurs in foundation made of brick. Brick naturally absorbs moisture and expands over time. Brick above ground expands faster than brick underground, though brick below grade also expands.
Not all cracks in a basement floor indicate the need for foundation repair. Narrow cracks in a basement floor could just be the result of natural settling (in that case if the cracks are bothersome, epoxy floors could be a good solution). That said, some cracks are symptoms of foundation trouble. One way to judge if a major foundation repair could be necessary are noticeable crack in walls that grow larger over time. Diagonal cracks along drywall in a home is an example of this. Cracks and gaps on upper stories are a sign that concrete repair or foundation repair is necessary too, since they are naturally less rigid than areas closer to the foundation; this also includes crack or gaps in the roof. Doors and windows getting stuck upon closing and opening when nothing has changed with them is another sign there could a problem with a home's foundation. Water in the basement is another sign. In the case of a damaged foundation water can seep in through cracks.
HOw do Foundation repair Services Work?
When you suspect your home is in need of concrete repair, and you suspect it's a foundation issue, say you've noticed crack it's a good idea to get in touch with a reliable foundation repair company in your area. When you contact a foundation repair company, the first thing the company will want to know are the signs that lead you to believe you may be in need of foundation repair. The company will then arrange a time to do an evaluation of your situation. During the evaluation the technician will note any signs and indicators of a foundation issue like drywall cracks, cracks in brick and sticking windows and doors. Measurements are then taken to in order to compose a to scale diagram of the home. Differences in elevation will be measured. Together the visual and measurement information will be used to decide whether or not repairs are needed. If the recommendation is that the home requires work options will be discussed with the homeowner and a written report produced. Recommendations should only be for the specific issues identified and tailored to fit the specific situation.
There are a number of solutions to repair a foundation depending on what the problem is, and there are pros and cons to each kind of intervention. One such strategy is to excavate around the foundation. Excavating around the foundation can be necessary to allow access to repair, restore, or otherwise improve the foundation. It is among the most costly ways to repair a foundation, but, besides having a high success rate when done properly, it also allows for the opportunity for other improvements, like installing exterior wall insulation which over time can have benefits of its own.
There are a number of solutions to repair a foundation depending on what the problem is, and there are pros and cons to each kind of intervention. One such strategy is to excavate around the foundation. Excavating around the foundation can be necessary to allow access to repair, restore, or otherwise improve the foundation. It is among the most costly ways to repair a foundation, but, besides having a high success rate when done properly, it also allows for the opportunity for other improvements, like installing exterior wall insulation which over time can have benefits of its own.
|
|