Crawl Space, Foundation, Concrete Repair Contractor in New Orleans, Gulfport, Jackson

Bouncing Floors in Metairie, LA

2026-03-13T12:04:15.05Z

To address both the structural and moisture concerns, Corey designed a comprehensive plan that included our Encapsulation System, along with the installation of our SmartJacks to stabilize the home’s flooring system. The homeowners love the idea and decided to move forward with it. A new date was scheduled for one of our foreman, Ronnie, and his crew to go out and put everything in place. The team first prepared the crawl space by clearing debris and ensuring proper drainage conditions. They then installed our durable, high-performance CleanSpace Liner across the crawl space floor and up the foundation walls, carefully sealing seams and edges to create a continuous moisture barrier. Along with this, they installed a crawl space dehumidifier and sump pump system, which both work toward keeping moisture in all its forms out and away from the crawl space. Overall, the encapsulation system helps prevent ground moisture and humidity from entering the crawl space, improving overall air quality and protecting the home’s structural components from moisture-related damage. Next, the crew installed SmartJack support posts beneath the weakened joists. Each SmartJack was placed on a solid base and precisely adjusted to provide additional structural support to the floor system above. By transferring the weight of the structure to stable footings and reinforcing the failing joists, the SmartJacks helped reduce floor bounce and stabilize the home’s structure. With the crawl space now properly encapsulated and the flooring system reinforced, the homeowner gained a dry, controlled crawl space environment and a significantly more stable floor system, giving them the confidence to move forward with their renovation plans. Great job team!

Moisture, Mud, and Mold

2026-02-27T12:45:10.05Z

To fully restore and protect the crawl space, Tristian wrote up a plan for our encapsulation system, the perfect moisture-controlling solution. After discussing his plan with the homeowners and answering whatever questions they had, they made the choice to move forward with us and finally take action against the issues plaguing their crawl space. Under the leadership of one of our foremen Ronnie, we got our crew under there and put it all together over the course of two days. They began with a full insulation clean-out to remove the wet, deteriorating material. Next, they installed drainage matting and our CleanSpace Liner to fully encapsulate the crawl space and create a barrier against moisture in all its shapes and forms. The CleanSpace Liner is thicker than your average vapor barrier, and rather than just lying on the ground, the it is secured to the floors, walls, and supports of the crawl space. To manage groundwater intrusion, they installed our TripleSafe sump pump system, a strong and battery backed-up pump that collects water from the ground and the nearby dehumidifier. This SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier is what they installed to control humidity levels long term, and make sure we create an environment that mold cannot thrive in. Finally, the affected areas were treated with Mold-X mold treatment to address existing mold concerns. The result is a water-free, clean crawl space with dramatically reduced humidity, providing the homeowners with a healthier, more stable environment beneath their home. Great job team!

Saving a Crawl Space in Natchez, MS

2026-02-06T17:09:21.05Z

Following a thorough inspection, Josh identified the root cause of the moisture issues and designed a comprehensive plan to protect the home’s floors. The homeowner was confident in the solution and chose to move forward. Soon after, one of our experienced crews—led by foreman Noah—was dispatched to install a complete crawl space encapsulation system customized to the home’s specific needs. The system included a heavy-duty vapor barrier sealed throughout the entire crawl space, sealed vents and penetrations to prevent humid outdoor air from entering, and a high-efficiency dehumidifier and sump pump to manage moisture and water intrusion year-round. This encapsulation transformed the crawl space into a clean, dry, and protected environment, stopping ongoing wood rot and preventing future mold growth. With the moisture issue addressed at its source, the homeowner now enjoys lasting peace of mind knowing their floors and the structural integrity of their home are safeguarded for years to come.

Moldy Crawl Space Saving in Philadelphia, MS

2026-01-23T17:12:31.05Z

Corey completed a thorough inspection of the entire crawl space and prepared an estimate along with a plan for the ultimate solution—an encapsulation system. This system focuses on sealing off the crawl space and protecting and conditioning it using multiple expertly engineered moisture-control products. These include a durable, thicker liner, a crawl space dehumidifier, a sump pump system, and more. Corey then sat down with the homeowners to review all of the details, and together they agreed that moving forward with this plan was the best decision for the long-term health of the home. A follow-up date was scheduled for one of our skilled crews to come out and implement the plan, led by our foreman, Malachi. The crew installed drainage matting and our CleanSpace Liner throughout the entire crawl space to protect against and redirect ground and wall water intrusion. They also installed a crawl space dehumidifier and programmed it to continuously maintain an ideal humidity level beneath the home—not high enough for mold growth, yet not so low that it impacts the floors above. The sump pump was strategically placed at the lowest point of the crawl space, allowing water to easily flow toward it. Any water collected from the surrounding area, as well as moisture discharged by the dehumidifier, is safely directed outside and away from the space. Within just a few days, the installation was complete, and our crew left behind a crawl space that was completely transformed. Excellent work to everyone on our team who helped make this project a success!

Crawl Space Transformation in Terry, MS

2026-01-09T16:46:17.05Z

The Design Specialist that was sent out was one of our crawl space experts. He got underneath the home and crawled corner to corner, inspecting it and creating a plan for its remodel. He found the old vapor barrier, and discovered it clearly had not stood the test of time, from what he could tell, nothing was preventing moisture damage. After a few hours of thorough inspecting and planning, he came back up to meet with the homeowners and go over the details of the perfect solution, our encapsulation system. The old vapor barrier would be replaced with a large upgrade, our CleanSpace Liner. Instead of just being thrown on top of the soil, this extra durable liner would be fastened to the floor, walls, and supports of the crawl space, giving no area for moisture to seep through. Alongside it, one of our crawl space dehumidifiers would be installed into the space to keep humidity down to safe percentage. This step is important for creating an environment where dangerous molds cannot thrive. Any other moisture would be collected and sent away from the crawl space through our battery backed-up TripleSafe Sump Pump System. The homeowners loved the idea and thought it matched the standards of all the remodeling work they had done so far. We scheduled a new date with them and sent one of our talented crews out to install the work. Our foreman, David, and his crew did an excellent job doing exactly that. They can now rest easy knowing that their greatest investment is on a dry, stable foundation, ready to support their daily lives for many years to come!

Driveway Repair in Summit, MS

2025-12-19T14:26:10.05Z

A homeowner in Summit, MS was dealing with a deteriorating concrete driveway that had developed multiple cracks and uneven sections over time. The cracks not only affected the appearance of the driveway but also allowed water to penetrate the concrete, accelerating further damage. In addition, several areas of the driveway had sunk, creating noticeable tripping hazards and drainage issues. Some sections of concrete were beginning to break away along the cracks and edges, raising concerns about safety, usability, and the long-term integrity of the driveway. To hopefully avoid further cracking, settlement, or potential accidents, they reached out to us at Midsouth Crawlspace Solutions to see what we could offer for this variety of issues. They got in touch with DeRosia, one of our Customer Care Representatives, who listened to their ongoing issues and scheduled a date and time for the right System Design Specialist to go out and provide an inspection. A few days later, Donny, was at the home early in the morning to take a closer look at the driveway.

Encapsulation in Raymond, MS

2025-12-04T15:40:48.05Z

This homeowner in Raymond, MS began noticing soft, uneven areas in their floors and discovered that excessive moisture in their unprotected crawl space was the cause. With no vapor barrier or moisture controls in place, humidity and ground moisture were infiltrating the crawl space, leading to wood rot, condensation on joists, and early signs of mold growth. The deteriorating conditions were actively damaging the subfloor and floor joists, threatening the home’s structural integrity. Realizing the issue would only worsen, the homeowner reached out to Midsouth Crawlspace Solutions for a permanent, long-term fix to stop the moisture and save their floors. They spoke to one of our customer care representatives, Isaiah, who listened to their story and scheduled a date and time for a fitting system design specialist to go out and take a look.

Musty Odor in Utica, MS

2025-11-21T10:59:40.05Z

This homeowner in Utica, MS began noticing musty odors inside their home, soft spots in their floors, and higher humidity levels than normal. These are all typical signs of crawl space moisture issues. They had installed a standard vapor barrier a good while back, but clearly this was not doing its job. Wanting to protect their crawl space and their living spaces above it, they decided to reach out to us to see what could be done. After explaining their situation to one of our customer care representatives, Isaiah, they promptly got themselves scheduled for a free estimate. Scottie, one of our system design specialists, was sent out to take a look and create that estimate. Once there, he did discover what we were expecting, that the crawlspace still had exposed soil despite the old barrier, entrances for outdoor air and humidity, and years of moisture intrusion from rain and ground vapor. Over time, this environment encouraged mold growth, wood rot, and even stirred up pests, putting the home's structural integrity at risk and creating that nasty musty smell up above. If this was left as is, the damage would continue to scale and lead to much more costly repairs.

Humid Crawl Space Issues in Vicksburg, MS

2025-11-06T14:17:44.05Z

This homeowner had recently gotten a mold test done and unfortunately found out that they did test positive for interior mold inside their home. While we can't offer much help for interior hold, the homeowner still asked us to come out and see what we could do. He had a hunch that the origin of the mold may not have started inside the home, he had actually began to smell musty scents coming from under his home. After speaking to a customer care representative, Isaiah, he got himself set up with an appointment to receive a free inspection and estimate for his crawl space. One of our design specialists, Caleb, was the one sent out to go take a look and see what may be going on. After a thorough inspection of the entire underside of the home, Caleb discovered that the homeowner's hunch was correct, there was mold growing in the crawl space. This was due to the complete lack of moisture protection, allowing the crawl space to become wet and humid, creating a perfect environment for mold to thrive. While still at the home, Caleb wrote up a detailed proposal and sat down with the homeowner to discuss a plan to eliminate this moisture issue and answer any further questions the homeowner may have had. He liked the idea of our encapsulation system and believed it may be best to stop the spread of future mold and emergence of other problems, and entrusted us to put it all in place.

Musty Dangers in Forest, MS

2025-10-17T11:51:45.05Z

During his inspection, Tristan discovered the root of the problems, and that was how humid this crawl space had gotten. The humidity percentage was much higher than it should be, which absolutely led to the growing of the mold he also found. There seemed to be an attempt to combat these issues before with a combination of several standard vapor barriers, but these clearly did not offer enough protection as it. After finishing his thorough inspection, Tristian went ahead and created his estimate on site and presented the plan to the homeowner. They were very fond of the idea of our Encapsulation System and the benefits it offered, and decided to move forward with that option. We scheduled her for another date to send one of our own crews out to start the work, led by foreman, Ronnie. Fortunately for our crew, this crawl space was already a prime candidate for our services, the underside of this home was tall and closed in. Closing in the crawl space is important, as completely sealing off the underside from moisture and outdoor humidity is a large goal of our process. Our thick, durable CleanSpace Liner is secured to all of the floor, walls, and supports of the crawl space to also help achieve this goal. Along with that, is our powerful TripleSafe Sump Pump, and energy-efficient crawl space Dehumidifier. These will work together to keep water out of the crawl space, and keep the humidity low, meaning mold will not be able to thrive. After finishing off with our Mold-X Treatment, we left the customer satisfied with a solution they described as "just what they had been looking for". We're proud we were able to help protect both their family and the home that family stays in!

Encapsulation in a Concrete Floor Crawl Space (Larose, LA)

2025-09-05T12:14:05.05Z

We deal with all sorts of messy and wet crawl spaces, usually full of uneven areas of moist dirt. The underside of this home was a rare one for our crews, they didn't even have to worry about getting dirty, as the the crawl space floor was actually a concrete slab. Still, the homeowner reached out to us with the same issues we come across in any other crawl space - moisture issues, mold, and high humidity. These various issues were starting to cause problems inside the home, their floors were beginning to badly buckle. They spoke to one of our customer care representatives, Isaiah, who scheduled a date and time for one of our design specialists to go out and provide a free estimate on what we could do to help. They had actually reached out to us because of work we had previously done on their niece's home, and we were overjoyed to receive and update and hear that our system was working well for her. The crawl space expert we had sent out was Dylan, who was likely psyched to have such a tall and non-muddy crawl space to inspect. There was still plenty of areas of wet concrete and signs of mold/moisture damage, and after a thorough inspection, he presented his estimate for our encapsulation system to the homeowner. Happy with the results of his niece's home, he decided to move forward with us and have similar protection placed under his home.

Josh Quick sees growth for MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions - SW Rankin News

2025-09-04T09:48:00.05Z

The Quick family is pictured at the ribbon cutting of MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions, started by Josh Quick in 2018. Pictured (l to r), front row, are: Tierney, wife; Josh; Hadley, daughter; Peggy, Josh’s mom; Katey Rae, daughter; Amber, daughter-in-law; Hayden, son; and back row: Bob, Josh’s dad; and Kye, son. (Photo Credit: Susie A Wolfe)

Josh Quick grew up in the Monterey community and started his business, MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions, in Florence. As it has grown consistently and rapidly to a $7.5 million company, he decided to move the location to the more visible building at 2404 Highway 49.

With fifty employees and a strong company culture and customer service commitment, MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions has been preserving and protecting homes since 2018 with services like slab and conventional foundation repair, crawlspace encapsulation and repair, mold treatment, concrete repair and leveling, basement waterproofing, foundation wood repair, and more. His market area is the bottom two thirds of Mississippi and all of Louisiana.

“We are the ‘All Things Crawl Spacey’ company,” said Quick, 44. “My superpower is that I am a visionary. We should reach $12 million in sales this year and close to $30 million in four years, in time for our tenth anniversary.”

Quick bases the company’s growth on the values of delivering excellence, taking responsibility, and continual growth. He is also quick to give God as the reason for his success. He said he had a wake-up call in 2011 working in the oil fields of North Dakota. Not having another job to come to, he resigned and moved back to Mississippi, trusting God’s promise of “if you’ll stop, I’ll put a rock under your foot.” Blind obedience and tithing are what he said set him up for success.

“The thing I love most about serving the Florence community is the people,” said Quick. “I love how everyone knows everyone and their family and what schools and church they go to.”

“MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions help preserve the small-town charm by literally preserving the homes here and protecting people’s biggest investments,” said Quick. “I love being able to recognize homes that we have helped and know who lives there. It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to people that you know.”

For more information on employment or company services, call [phone].

Patio Troubles in Brandon, MS

2025-08-22T17:48:32.05Z

After getting scheduled for another date, we sent our talented concrete crew to get to work. Led by our concrete foreman, Brian, him and his team used a variety of our solutions to tackle each problem. NexusPro played a large part in this job, our high-quality crack sealant. Unlike conventional sealants, NexusPro effectively seals the concrete, defending against water, block erosion, and allowing for natural expansion and contraction without losing integrity. For both the driveway and patio, they expertly cleaned and prepared the surfaces, ensuring maximum adhesion for the NexusPro application. The sealant was carefully applied along the cracks and expansions, creating a durable barrier against the elements. This shield against moisture means water cannot get below the slab, removing the risk for erosion and voids that could allow these surfaces to shift further. Every joint, gap, and crack on each slab got proper attention! You may also notice in the photos that the one odd square of the patio has been replaced. Our company specializes in concrete sealing and lifting, we do not typically pour or replace concrete, but we couldn't walk away from this job unfinished! Our team came together and decided to do what it took to make this patio look right, and poured and sealed the concrete for that missing square. We're proud of our team for making that happen, and for the rest of the work they contributed to all the concrete around this home. Take a look at the images and see how much better and smooth things are now. The risk of tripping is gone, and we hope that these homeowners are able to feel comfortable and proud to have family and friends over for lots of quality time and good memories!

Sidewalk and Driveway Trouble in Brandon, MS

2025-08-08T17:02:04.05Z

Our talented concrete crew, led by our concrete foreman, Brian, headed out to the home with a variety of solutions and got to work on making it happen. For any sunken areas, spots where voids had formed underneath were located and precise holes were drilled into the surface of the concrete above. These voids formed overtime due to moisture finding its way under the concrete and causing erosion, with a lack of support under the slab, it started to sink. The purpose of these holes is to create a way to pump our PolyFoam, a high-strength polyurethane foam that will expand and fill each void, hardening, and then raising the concrete. This not only allows us to bring the concrete back to its original position, but also acts as a support to make sure it stays there. Once the process has finished, which only takes about a day, it will be safe to walk on and the drill holes will be filled. Of course, leaving it as is and not taking care of the cracks would just allow more voids to eventually form. For each crack discovered, we use our high quality joint sealant, NexusPro. This high-grade sealant is able to hold up against strong UV rays and harsh weather, constantly acting as a shield against moisture no matter how its looking outside. It is also very flexible, meaning this concrete will still be safe as things shift and soil moves in the future. Not a single crack is missed, every possible breach is sealed. Once both parts are completed, these products come together to create the ultimate solution, achieving both goals for the homeowner of protecting property value, and protecting themself!

Crawl Space Remodeling in Brookhaven, MS

2025-07-25T17:27:37.05Z

The Design Specialist that was sent out was one of our crawl space experts, Andrew. He got underneath the home and crawled corner to corner, inspecting it and creating a plan for its remodel. He found the old vapor barrier, and discovered it clearly had not stood the test of time, from what he could tell, nothing was preventing moisture damage. After a few hours of thorough inspecting and planning, he came back up to meet with the homeowners and go over the details of the perfect solution, our encapsulation system. The old vapor barrier would be replaced with a large upgrade, our CleanSpace Liner. Instead of just being thrown on top of the soil, this extra durable liner would be fastened to the floor, walls, and supports of the crawl space, giving no area for moisture to seep through. Alongside it, one of our crawl space dehumidifiers would be installed into the space to keep humidity down to safe percentage. This step is important for creating an environment where dangerous molds cannot thrive. Any other moisture would be collected and sent away from the crawl space through our battery backed-up TripleSafe Sump Pump System. The homeowners loved the idea and thought it matched the standards of all the remodeling work they had done so far. We scheduled a new date with them and sent one of our talented crews out to install the work. Our foreman, David, and his crew did an excellent job doing exactly that. They can now rest easy knowing that their greatest investment is on a dry, stable foundation, ready to support their daily lives for many years to come!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 7/14/2025

2025-07-14T12:31:01.05Z

We had an absolutely fantastic time and turnout for our Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Rankin County Chamber today! We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces and loved meeting new ones. Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to come by and show your support - it truly meant the world to us. We felt the love and enthusiasm from the community throughout the entire event, and it's moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. The growth we've experienced over the past few years has been nothing short of incredible, and we're still in awe of how far we've come. We're so, so blessed to have such an amazing team and community behind us, cheering us on every step of the way.

A huge thank you, especially to our owner Josh, for his leadership, vision, and dedication to excellence. His tireless efforts and commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind our success, and we're grateful for his guidance. There's no way we would be where we are today without him.. We're honored to have him at the helm and can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

Bouncy Floors in Sallis, MS

2025-07-03T13:51:01.05Z

Corey was the Design Specialist who went out to their home, he spent some time crawling, inspecting, taking photos, sketching a plan, and by the end of his visit he was ready to go over everything. He sat down with the homeowners to discuss that multiple issues had been discovered, but fortunately we were able to help solve each one. The biggest issue, the one that was causing the continuous damage in the floors, was crawl space moisture. Underneath the home was a damp and humid space, perfect for letting mold and rot thrive, this could not be left in this condition if anything was ever going to change. It did seem as there was once an attempt to handle this, but the old vapor barrier that was tossed down there clearly did not hold up over time or continue doing its job. This moisture issue led to another problem, lots of damage to the joists and supports under the home, replacing these once more was definitely needed. The main difference this time, was that this replacement was going to be combined with our Encapsulation system. The main components of this system, the durable CleanSpace Liner, the crawl space dehumidifier, and our sump pump system containing multiple emergency and battery-backed up pumps, will make sure this is the last time they ever need to replace these subfloors. After finalizing all the details, another date was set to have our crews go out and put it all together. Both of one of our crawl space and wood-working crews went out and made sure things were installed exactly to plan, leaving essentially what was a transformed home. Many different parts and people from our company to make this happen and we are proud of the work each person put forward, and we are happy to know we have left someone feeling safer in their home!

If You're Buying a Home, Look Out for These 6 Foundation Symptoms

2025-05-01T00:00:00.05Z

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. While a house might look perfect on the surface, hidden foundation issues can turn your dream home into a costly nightmare. Home inspectors do their best to catch structural concerns, but they aren’t always foundation experts — meaning some signs of trouble could go unnoticed.

Before committing to a purchase, make sure you know what to look for. Spotting these foundation warning signs early can save you from expensive repairs down the road. And if you do find issues, knowing the right solutions — offered by professional foundation repair experts — can help protect your investment.

1. Cracks in Walls, Floors or Ceilings

Visible cracks are one of the most common indicators of foundation problems. While small hairline cracks from natural settling aren’t necessarily a cause for concern, larger or widening cracks can signal foundation movement.

What to Look For:

• Diagonal cracks extending from door or window corners

• Horizontal cracks along basement walls

• Gaps in drywall where walls meet ceilings or floors

• Stair-step cracks in brick or masonry

The Solution:

Foundation settlement or shifting soil can cause cracks to form as the structure moves. Solutions like helical piers or push piers can stabilize and even lift a settling foundation back to its original position, preventing further damage.

2. Sticking Doors and Windows

If doors and windows don’t open or close properly, it could be a sign that the foundation is shifting. As the foundation settles unevenly, frames can become distorted, causing doors to jam and windows to stick.

What to Look For:

• Doors that drag along the floor or no longer latch

• Windows that are difficult to open or don’t stay open

• Visible gaps between the frame and wall

The Solution:

Instead of forcing doors and windows into place, address the root cause — foundation settlement. Steel piers can stabilize and lift the home to restore proper alignment.

3. Uneven or Sloping Floors

A home’s floors should be level. If you notice sloping or bouncing floors, the foundation — or the crawl space beneath — could be compromised.

What to Look For:

• Floors that feel soft or “bouncy” when you walk

• A noticeable slope when standing across a room

• Separation between the floor and baseboards

The Solution:

For homes with foundation settlement, helical piers or push piers can provide permanent stabilization. If the issue is in a crawl space, installing SmartJacks® can reinforce and lift sagging floor joists.

4. Gaps Between Walls and Ceilings or Floors

When a foundation shifts, the home’s framing moves with it, creating gaps where walls meet ceilings and floors. These separations can indicate significant structural issues.

What to Look For:

• Noticeable gaps between walls and floors or ceilings

• Cabinets pulling away from walls

• Crown molding or trim separating from the walls

The Solution:

Foundation settlement often causes these separations. Installing steel piers beneath the foundation can lift and stabilize the structure, preventing further movement.

5. Water in the Basement or Crawl Space

Even if you don’t see cracks, water intrusion in the basement or crawl space could be a sign of foundation problems. Poor drainage and hydrostatic pressure can weaken foundation walls over time.

What to Look For:

• Pooled water or damp spots in the basement

• A musty smell or mold growth

• Efflorescence (white, chalky residue) on basement walls

The Solution:

Waterproofing solutions like a WaterGuard® drainage system, sump pumps and vapor barrier systems like CleanSpace® can keep basements and crawl spaces dry. If the foundation has already sustained damage, wall stabilization systems, including wall anchors and PowerBraces® can reinforce and even straighten bowing walls.

6. Tilting or Separating Chimney

A leaning chimney can indicate that part of the foundation is settling or shifting. Since chimneys are heavy structures, even slight movement can lead to serious safety hazards.

What to Look For:

• A chimney pulling away from the house

• Visible cracks in the chimney’s brickwork

• Uneven gaps between the chimney and siding

The Solution:

Installing helical piers under the chimney can stop movement and, in some cases, return it to its original position.

What to Do If You Spot These Issues

If you see any of these warning signs, don’t panic — but don’t ignore them either. The best course of action is to get a professional foundation inspection from a trusted expert. An experienced foundation repair company can properly assess foundation problems and provide permanent solutions tailored to your home’s needs.

Finding the Right Foundation Repair Expert

• Look for specialists — A general contractor may not have the expertise needed for foundation stabilization.

• Check reviews and warranties — A reputable company should stand behind its work.

• Ask about advanced solutions — Not all foundation repair methods provide lasting results, so be sure to choose a company that offers long-term stabilization techniques.

How Foundation Issues Affect Home Value

For sellers, foundation problems can significantly impact a home’s marketability and selling price. Many buyers will walk away from a home with structural concerns unless they are properly addressed. If repairs are not completed before listing, sellers may be forced to lower the asking price to account for the cost of foundation stabilization — and buyers may use foundation concerns as leverage for deeper price reductions. In many cases, investing in professional foundation repair before putting a home on the market can lead to a faster sale and a better return on investment.

Buying or selling a home is a major financial decision. Addressing foundation issues early — whether as a buyer looking for a sound investment or as a seller wanting to maximize value — ensures a smoother transaction and long-term stability for the home. If you notice foundation warning signs, schedule an inspection before moving forward with your purchase or sale.

Is Your Yard Trying To Wreck Your Home?

2024-04-29T00:00:00.05Z

Is Your Yard Trying To Wreck Your Home?

Ok, that’s a provocative question, but it’s one worth asking because, as shocking as it may sound, it may actually be happening. But before we go any further, we must understand the question.

How moisture affects your home’s foundation.

Your home sits on many different layers of soil, each with its own properties, including moisture content. These layers developed over a long time — billions of years, in fact. While some were carried there and deposited by water, wind or glaciers, the top layer was likely formed by the company that developed the land for your neighborhood. They removed soil from hills and put it into valleys to create a flat area ready to be built upon. This is known as fill soil.

Here’s the thing: Over time, soil, whether made by humans or nature, can become unstable. Drought can cause the soil to shrink and voids to form. Fill soil that was poorly compacted initially can compress over time. And lastly, large amounts of moisture can cause soil to soften or expand.

This is particularly true regarding the soil closest to your home. This is known as the “active zone” because it represents the soil most affected by moisture as the season or climate changes. Depending on the area of the country in which you live, the active zone may vary from a few feet to more than 30 feet below grade, and it typically extends as far as 10 feet away from your foundation. So, if the soil in this area becomes saturated with water from heavy rains or snow melt, your home’s foundation can sink or even fail.

A structure’s foundation can sink and settle when the soil beneath it can no longer support it. If the soil under your home becomes saturated with water, it can soften and become unstable. (Think about stepping into a muddy field.) If you have a basement foundation, the soil surrounding it can become saturated with water and press outward due to a phenomenon known as hydrostatic pressure. Simply put, as water saturates the soil in the active zone around your foundation, the water exerts pressure against your walls. And if you’ve ever lifted a water cooler jug, you know how much just a few gallons of water weighs!

The importance of making the grade.

So, you can see why it’s so important to ensure that water drains away from your home’s foundation and past this active zone. To achieve this, the elevation around your home should drop one inch for every foot as you move away from the foundation up to 10 feet. This will help ensure that water drains away from your home and settles beyond this active zone by the time it starts to be absorbed into the ground.

If you’re unsure if your yard is graded correctly, you can measure it with a few simple tools. You’ll need a 10-foot length of string, a couple of stakes and a bubble level. Place a stake into the soil right up against your home’s foundation and tie one end of your string to it right at ground level. Then, walk out 10 feet, place the second stake into the soil and tie the string around it. Make sure the string is taught and level. Now, measure the distance between the ground and the string ten feet away from your foundation. This will tell you how much your yard’s elevation has dropped 10 feet away from your foundation. Do this at several points around your home to get the best feel for your yard’s grading. If the numbers you’re getting indicate that your elevation drops less than one inch per foot, or if you find that the elevation hasn’t dropped at all, then it may be time to call a landscape company to grade your yard.

Having your yard properly graded will give you the peace of mind of knowing that when heavy rains come, all that water is draining away from your home, not into its active zone, where it can cause all sorts of foundation problems.

Of course, if you’re worried that your yard’s grading (or lack thereof) has already caused issues with your home’s foundation, you should call a reputable foundation-repair company to inspect it. Because, even if your home’s foundation has already settled or has walls that have bowed or otherwise pushed inward, a foundation-repair expert should be able to fix the problem permanently, giving you even more of that precious peace of mind.

6 Structural Issues Your Home Inspector May Not Catch

2024-03-22T00:00:00.05Z

You’re about to buy a home. Maybe it’s your first home. Maybe it’s your “forever home.” Either way, it’s likely to be the biggest investment you’ve ever made. So, you hire a home inspector to make sure that your new house is safe, secure and ready for moving day.

But what if that home inspector misses something? What if, six months from now, you discover an issue that might’ve prevented you from buying the house altogether? Or, at the very least, what if you find an issue that might’ve given you leverage to get a lower price?

Home inspectors are generally very good at their jobs — but they’re not infallible. And while they may be experts at finding problems with plumbing and wiring, they sometimes miss foundation, concrete and other structural problems. That’s why it’s important to make sure your new home isn’t plagued with structural issues that will affect its resale value.

Here are a few structural problems a home inspector may miss or misinterpret.

1. Sticking windows and/or doors

It might be tempting to chalk a sticking window or stubborn door up to the age of the home. It’s not uncommon for potential buyers and inspectors to dismiss these symptoms as simply a home “settling.” But there may be more to it. A window or door may stick in its frame because the structure around it has actually shifted and is no longer true. This shift may be due to the home’s foundation sinking into the soil beneath it, causing the structure above it to skew. This can happen when poorly compacted fill soil compresses over time. Or it may happen when soil washes away or dries up and shrinks due to extreme weather events such as flooding and drought. Whatever the cause, the problem can be quite serious and may foreshadow more severe issues down the line.

2. Gapping floors and/or ceilings

This is another aesthetic issue that is easy to blame on a home settling, especially if the structure is more than 20 years old. But there may be an underlying reason that an interior wall separates from the floor or ceiling. And as with sticking doors and windows, this reason may be a foundation settlement issue. So, if you’re looking to buy a home that has ceiling or floor gaps, it may be time to bring in a foundation expert to have a closer look.

3. Bouncing or uneven floors

Unlike the issues mentioned above, bouncing or uneven floors may occur simply because the joists that support the floor have warped due to either an excess of moisture causing swelling or a lack of moisture causing shrinking. This is most often seen in a home that is built over a crawl space rather than a fully sealed basement — although waterproofing issues can cause basements to give off enough humidity to cause these issues as well. That being said, foundation settlement can cause bouncing and uneven floors too, so it is well worth having an expert inspect them to determine the cause and resolution. Even if your home has a full basement, it may have an addition that is built over a crawl space, so that addition may be prone to bouncing and uneven floors, where the rest of the home is not.

4. Drywall or plaster cracks

This is another aesthetic problem that can indicate a deeper structural issue. As a foundation settles, it typically does so in an uneven manner. That means certain parts of the house may sink while others don’t. Or perhaps they sink at different rates. This can cause the home’s framing to skew, which in addition to windows and doors sticking and floors and ceilings gapping, can cause interior walls to crack. The trouble is, interior wall cracks — especially hairline cracks — are all too easy to fill and paint. This makes them easy to miss at an inspection.

5. Separating chimney

While a home inspector should spot an issue as obvious as a chimney that has become separated from the rest of the home, it is possible that it may be missed. As with the above issues, a chimney separation is likely caused by poor soil beneath it, but it may be exacerbated because the chimney’s foundation may not be physically connected to the main structure. This can happen immediately after a home’s construction or years later as it settles into poorly compacted or washed out soil.

6. Driveway, pool deck, patio and sidewalk cracks

It seems as if we’ve become used to seeing cracked concrete. Walk down any residential sidewalk, and you’ll see cracked, broken and sunken slabs. You’ll see these same issues in other concrete structures too, including driveways, patios and pool decks. While these may not seem as severe as foundation-related problems, they do affect the value of your home. And, in some cases, may actually present tripping hazards that could mean liability issues for the owner. What they do have in common with foundation issues, however, is the cause — poor soil. As with a foundation, concrete slabs can sink and crack over time as they settle into poorly compacted fill soil or into voids left behind after soil washes out or shrinks due to drought.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home and suspect it may have foundation, crawl space or concrete issues, contact MidSouth Crawlspace Solutions. We have the expertise and equipment to accurately assess and permanently repair most foundation, crawl space and concrete issues.

5 Reasons to Repair (Not Replace) Your Sinking Concrete

2024-01-25T00:00:00.05Z

With advancements in construction technology, polyfoam concrete leveling is becoming a popular solution to repair sunken concrete around homes.

Despite being one of the most versatile building materials in the world, concrete is not without faults. When concrete is placed over a weak base (like soft soil, loose aggregates, etc), it’s easier for water to slip underneath slabs and speed up erosion. Over time, this causes the concrete to sink into the ground and reduces its durability. Whether a driveway, sidewalk, patio, or pool deck, cracked, uneven, or wobbling concrete contributes to serious trip hazards, unattractive surfaces, decreased property value, and foundation damage.

Whether your concrete has cracks, crumbling, potholes, or uneven surfaces, fixing the concrete requires determining the extent of the problem to choose the best solution. But this guide on repairing your sinking concrete will discuss factors to consider to help make the decision between concrete repair or replacement easier.

Concrete Leveling and Repair vs. Concrete Replacement: Factors to Consider

Before you consider why concrete repair might be a better alternative to concrete replacement, you'll need to ask yourself a few questions as you inspect the concrete around your home.

Are there drainage problems?
Are there multiple or deep potholes?
Are there extensive cracking or widening cracks?
What's the age of the concrete?

If you've checked your concrete but are unsure how serious of a sinking problem you have, you can hire professional concrete leveling contractors for help. These experts offer a range of concrete repair services so they can recommend the right solution for your specific sinking concrete problem. Getting your concrete inspected now can help you avoid needing a more expensive and invasive solution in the future.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to fix concrete issues thanks to advancements in construction technology, such as polyfoam concrete leveling (also referred to as polyfoam concrete lifting, polyjacking, or polyurethane foam injection), a popular method of raising sinking concrete slabs. Here are the primary reasons why concrete leveling has become a favorable solution for repairing uneven or sunken concrete.

Reason 1: Concrete Lifting Restores Sunken Concrete

A concrete slab can support a large amount of weight, but overall durability depends on the underlying soil. If the soil shrinks or washes away, cracks can appear. If concrete is replaced and poured over the poor soil, the concrete will crack and sink again. Uneven concrete slabs are a major issue in almost any area, whether the sinking occurs in a driveway, sidewalk, or patio. However, these slabs can be raised back to their original height using polyfoam concrete leveling solutions without impacting their safety or durability. And since PolyLevel® addresses the underlying soil conditions that cause sinking concrete slabs, it's also a long-lasting choice for residential slab jacking.

Reason 2: Concrete Leveling is Less Intensive

It's no secret that concrete replacement can be a long, burdensome task. Consider the time it takes to tear out the old concrete, pour the new slab, and let the concrete cure. PolyLevel requires a simple process that injects structural-grade polymer beneath the slab, filling the empty area underneath and lifting it back to its original level. Nothing needs to be torn out, no new concrete must be bought, and no additional time must be wasted.

Reason 3: Concrete Lifting is Much Quicker

Following the initial filling, concrete leveling materials only need to sit for 15 minutes before they can be walked or driven on, compared to the 24-48 hours it takes new concrete to dry. Therefore, concrete leveling is typically the favorable option to avoid the significant interruptions caused by concrete replacement.

Reason 4: Concrete Leveling Can Increase Curb Appeal

Sunken concrete slabs can reduce your home’s value and turn away potential buyers. Although repairing or replacing damaged concrete slabs can increase a property's value, homeowners should consider the final result of both options before deciding. Replacing concrete slabs can create a mismatched surface, whereas leveling the concrete offers a more uniform look. Investing in concrete leveling and repair can help ensure your home remains attractive and highly valued for years to come.

Reason 5: New Concrete Will Crack

When new concrete is poured over unstable soil, the concrete will eventually crack and sink again. Since polyjacking addresses the underlying soil conditions, this reduces the chance of future sinking and extends the life of the original concrete.

What's the Best Method to Repair Sinking Concrete?

While concrete patches are a popular DIY option to fix cracks in concrete, their use is mostly cosmetic, and they don’t provide long-lasting protection against further sinking or damage to the surrounding concrete. Stopping concrete from sinking and creating an even surface requires stabilizing the soil below the slab. Polyurethane foam injection, like PolyLevel, lifts and levels concrete slabs while filling voids in the soil to keep the slab from sinking again.

Faster installation, curing time, and attractive results are among the top reasons PolyLevel is a better alternative to mudjacking, concrete replacement, and other less effective approaches to sinking concrete slab repair.

When Should Concrete Be Replaced?

Although replacing concrete is not the first choice, sometimes it is the only option. If your concrete slab has multiple or deep potholes, spiderweb cracks, widening cracks, or it’s contributing to drainage problems, it may be time for a replacement. Remember that even if some concrete needs to be replaced, it can still be possible to level other sections of the driveway, sidewalk, or patio. Professional PolyLevel contractors will recommend how to solve your sunken concrete problem.

Don’t Ignore Your Sunken Concrete: Call Your PolyLevel Expert Today!

With time and constant exposure to the elements, concrete is at risk of cracking, sinking, wobbling, and other cosmetic and structural issues. Take action today if you’ve got uneven concrete walkways, cracked driveways, concrete stairs pulling away, or signs of concrete settlement. The solutions become more expensive and invasive if you wait too long to fix your sinking concrete problems.

Schedule your free concrete leveling estimate today to learn more about how PolyLevel can repair the concrete around your home.

Three Reasons to Fix Your Home's Foundation Immediately

2023-11-30T00:00:00.05Z

Three Reasons to Fix Your Home’s Foundation Immediately

Whether you’ve just noticed a crack in your wall for the first time, or you’ve slowly seen it grow from an inch to several, there are a few things that hold true about foundation repair. Foundation issues don’t get better with time, but many people wait an average of five years before they call on a specialist to look at the problem.

Here are three reasons why waiting to get your foundation fixed is a bad idea.

1. The problem will get more expensive.

Often, when someone notices a foundation issue, it’s usually something that started small and grew over time. This could be a crack in a poured concrete basement wall, or perhaps you're noticing a gap between the floorboards and the wall.

As the problem continues, it will take more effort and resources to bring the foundation back to its most stable condition. Also, the more a foundation falls into disrepair, the more other issues around the home will crop up. These include sticking doors and windows, or even issues with the roof.

2. The issue may become a major safety concern.

Next, the safety and stability of a home’s foundation can be compromised the longer a homeowner waits to repair it. Bowing walls are a sign the foundation could cave in — and they often do.

Additionally, foundation issues can affect the floors on the levels above the basement, slab or crawl space. The flooring could become uneven or bouncy, making it less safe.

3. Your property value may decrease.

A new homeowner would assume any responsibility for the home’s foundation. If a foundation issue was flagged during the home inspection, it could indicate a major expense soon.

The good news is a repaired foundation is not a red flag for a potential buyer. In fact, there are even instances where a repaired foundation is more stable and stronger than the original construction.

In conclusion, homeowners balance a lot of different decisions and priorities when it comes to their homes. This can lead to inaction when they notice a concerning crack in a poured wall, bouncing floors that make it easy to lose balance, or floors separating from the wall.

However, fixing a foundation should remain top-of-mind. While the price and inconvenience of a home project might be uncomfortable in the short term, it will restore property value, ensure a safe living space, and, ultimately, result in peace of mind for the homeowner.

Protecting Your Driveway & Patio While Improving Curb Appeal

2023-10-11T00:00:00.05Z

What’s the first thing you see when you visit someone’s home? (Besides the house itself, that is.) Whether you approach on foot or by car, chances are the first thing you see is the concrete surrounding the property. The driveway. The sidewalk. The stoop. Maybe a pathway or patio.

So, when a home’s concrete looks less than great, it can give a poor first impression to visitors. And by “less than great,” we mean everything from spalled, cracked, stained slabs to mismatched sections in a recently repaired driveway or sidewalk.

Damaged concrete and mismatched slabs are actually two separate issues. But, thanks to a new product called DecoShield™, they can be addressed with a single solution.

Why Good Concrete Goes Bad

Concrete’s primary enemy is water. It can wash away supporting soil when there’s too much of it. It can cause soil to shrink when there’s too little. When it freezes and thaws repeatedly, it can cause the concrete’s surface to crack, pit and crumble.

Concrete is porous, so it acts like a giant sponge. Water is absorbed at the surface; then, if temperatures drop below freezing, the water turns into ice, which expands and breaks the walls of those pores, weakening the concrete.

In addition to damage caused by freezing and thawing, concrete’s porous nature makes it susceptible to staining from chemicals, dirt and other materials. As with cracking and pitting, staining is an eyesore that can reduce your home’s curb appeal.

When the Solution Becomes a Problem

When concrete cracks and spalls, many homeowners’ first thought is to have it replaced. While we usually recommend repair rather than replacement for a variety of reasons — including reduced cost and disruption (PolyLevel® foam works wonders in this area) — sometimes a homeowner will decide to have the old concrete jackhammered out and new concrete poured.

This approach can leave a driveway, patio or sidewalk with a mismatched patchwork of light and dark slabs, which can be a real eyesore and lower a home’s curb appeal.

One Product to Rule Them All

So, how do you protect concrete from moisture and minimize stains and mismatched slabs? The answer is DecoShield. It’s a concrete sealer, available exclusively from Foundation Supportworks dealers, designed to protect concrete while improving its look.

Available in a variety of finishes — including translucent tints ranging from walnut to light gray and a clear version ideal for brick, stone and other decorative concrete — DecoShield offers homeowners a simple, economical way to get two benefits in one application. Talk to your local Foundation Supportworks dealer about DecoShield. They’ll be happy to come out and inspect your concrete to give you the best option. By the time they’re done, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting, what it’ll look like and what it’ll cost. And before you know it, visitors to your home will be greeted by the best-looking concrete in your neighborhood.

Above-Ground Pools and Foundation Problems

2023-08-31T00:00:00.05Z

Before we start, here’s a quick fact: The average 24’ x 54” above-ground pool holds approximately 15,000 gallons of water.

Ok, let’s stow that little tidbit of information for a second and talk about what causes foundation problems: Soil. Specifically, soil instability.

Why Soil Becomes Unstable

Your home is resting on many different layers of soil. Each layer has different properties, including type and moisture content. How compact or loose each layer is also varies. These layers developed over time, beginning with the Earth’s initial formation. Some soil layers were carried there and deposited by water, wind or glaciers. Today, soil layers are often formed deliberately by companies that develop land for building and home construction. They place layers of fill soil over the soil created or deposited by nature. This is done when they remove soil from hills and put it into valleys to create flat building sites.

Over time soil, whether made by humans or by nature, can become unstable, causing a structure built above it to settle and sink. Drought can cause the soil to shrink and voids to form. Fill soil that was poorly compacted initially can compress over time. And lastly, large amounts of moisture can cause soil to soften (think about stepping into a muddy field).

It’s that last point we’re going to address because it also involves that 15,000 gallons of water we mentioned earlier.

When You Have to Drain Your Above-Ground Pool

First, let’s stipulate that your above-ground pool is designed to have water in it year-round. We’re not talking about an inflatable kiddie pool, after all. But there are times when you will need to drain it, whether to address an issue or simply refresh the water every three-to-five years, as the industry recommends.

You might think you could simply open a valve and let it drain into your yard. But if you do that, the sudden influx of thousands of gallons of water can cause the soil around and under your home to soften, resulting in serious foundation problems. Your home’s foundation can sink, causing the entire structure to become untrue, which can cause issues like sloping floors, sticking doors and windows and gapping ceilings.

Worse, if you have a basement surrounded by clay soils that will expand when wet, they can create pressure on your foundation walls that can cause them to crack, bow or even shear. In the worst case, you might even experience wall failure, necessitating costly and disruptive repairs.

Draining Your Pool the Right Way

If you do have to drain your pool, it’s a good idea to contact a professional to seek their advice. Typically, they’ll have you run a hose from your pool to a sewer, so the water drains straight into the city’s sewage system. Some municipalities will allow you to drain your pool right into the street — but you need to call first to make sure. The main thing is, you really want to direct that water away from your home, so it can’t destabilize the soils that support it.

One other thing, before you drain your pool, consider that you’ll have to refill it when you’re done. That not only takes a long time, but it will also significantly impact your water bill. We’re not just talking about taking a long, hot shower here.

If you are concerned about your home’s foundation — maybe your pool’s been leaking, or you’ve had a recent spate of torrential rain — give us a call! We've got the expertise to tell you if your home’s foundation is really sitting on solid ground.

How to Maintain and Protect Your Concrete

2023-06-22T00:00:00.05Z

It’s been said that your home’s concrete is its calling card. This is certainly true for its driveway, which is usually the first thing you see as you approach a home from the street, but it’s also true for the other concrete around your home, including its sidewalk, paths, patio and pool deck. So, when concrete is left to crack and crumble over time, it can really be an eyesore that conveys a negative impression of your home even before guests set foot inside.

Not only that, but crumbling concrete can also lower your home’s value along with its curb appeal. Plus, cracks and pits can even present tripping hazards that can be dangerous to visitors and family members alike.

So, you may ask, “How do I protect my concrete from cracking and crumbling?” The answer is, it’s actually easier and less expensive than you might think.

But first, let’s get an idea why good concrete goes bad.

Water, Water Everywhere

Water is concrete’s enemy. It can wash away supporting soil when there’s too much of it. It can cause soil to shrink when there’s too little. And when it freezes and thaws over and over, it can cause concrete’s surface to crack, pit and crumble.

Here’s the thing: concrete is porous, so it acts like a giant sponge. So, what happens is, water is absorbed at the surface — maybe from rain or melting snow. Then, if temperatures drop below freezing, the water turns into ice, which expands and breaks the walls of those pores, weakening the concrete.

You probably wouldn’t see anything at first. Unfortunately, though, it worsens exponentially with every freeze/thaw cycle until the pitting and flaking becomes obvious to the naked eye.

So, how can you prevent all this from happening?

The Seal of Protection

The key to protecting your home’s concrete for the long term is to seal it from the elements. This seems like a no-brainer, but too many homeowners forego this simple step only to regret it years later when it becomes necessary to replace or resurface their driveways and patios.

So, it’s off to the big-box DIY store to buy a five-gallon bucket of sealant, right? Wrong. Not all sealants are made alike. The stuff they sell at the box store is messy and can be difficult to apply evenly. Plus, it likely won’t be compatible with new concrete.

The better option is to have a professional apply some sort of surface sealant — either one that bonds with the concrete or one that sits on top of it.

How They Work

Integrated concrete sealers — such as SealantPro™ from Foundation Supportworks — bond with concrete on a molecular level, permanently protecting it from water, dirt and other contaminants in a single coat. Once applied, the sealer dries in minutes and is fully cured in just six hours, so you can use your concrete the same day. It is simple, fast, economical and extremely effective.

In addition to offering permanent protection, sealers of this type are typically UV resistant and won’t discolor over time.

Another option — one that can provide a pop of color in addition to protecting your concrete —â€¯is a topical sealer such as DecoShield™, also from Foundation Supportworks. These topical sealers can add curb appeal to your home’s concrete by giving your driveway, sidewalk, patio or pool deck a hint of translucent color while protecting them from the elements. They can also be a great way to minimize the appearance of mismatched concrete slabs or to simply add a level of “bling” to your home’s appearance.

We should note that unlike integrated sealers, which are permanent, topical sealers need to be reapplied every two-to-three years, depending on traffic and UV exposure.

So, whether you’ve just built a brand-new home or updated your existing home with a new driveway, patio or sidewalk —â€¯or you simply want to protect your existing driveway or patio — concrete sealers are the way to go when it comes to maintaining and safeguarding your investment.

To learn more, reach out to your local Foundation Supportworks dealer for a free, no-obligation inspection and quote.

Foundation Repair is NOT a DIY Job: Here's Why

2023-03-29T00:00:00.05Z

Our company works with homeowners every day to diagnose their foundation issues and implement a permanent fix.

Occasionally, we are called out to a home after a homeowner has tried to fix the problem themselves. This is NEVER a good idea. Problems with your home’s foundation can affect safety and property value.

Foundation problems are complicated.

Like, really complicated. Two cracks that look similar can be caused by two completely different issues – and require different fixes.

Here’s just a short list of things a trained foundation repair contractor will consider when diagnosing issues:

· The amount of time the problem has been going on

· The type of soil your home is built on

· The climate of the region you are in

Additionally, whether your home sits on a foundation slab, or has a crawlspace or basement impacts how the foundation can be repaired.

Foundation fixes require a trained crew with the proper equipment.

Are you prepared to excavate under your home’s foundation footing? If the answer is no – and it should be – call a professional.

Some foundation issues call for installing helical piers under the home to permanently anchor your home to load-bearing soil, or bedrock.

Other times, a wall anchor is necessary to keep your walls from caving in. This requires drilling a hole into the foundation wall by a trained professional.

DIY fixes don’t come with a warranty.

Finally, a reputable foundation repair company will work to ensure a long-term fix to the problem. They will also guarantee this with a warranty on the parts installed and the work done.

What started as a simple foundation fix can quickly get out of hand. This is especially true for someone who is not skilled in the tools and products necessary to remedy the issue. If finances were the initial reason you decided to do the work yourself, consider that the fix will likely become more expensive if the problem gets worse.

A trusted and professional foundation repair contractor will be able to properly diagnose the issues and implement a fix. Reach out today for a free, no obligation full home inspection.

How to Save Money on Major Home Repairs

2023-01-23T00:00:00.05Z

It’s time for a necessary home repair. Problems such as foundation issues, sinking concrete, sump pump failures—you name it!—can sneak up on us.

Heck, even if you’ve known for a while that an expense was coming, why pay more than you have to? The best thing you can do is be informed.

Fix It Early

It goes without saying: The smaller the issue, the easier the fix and, consequently, the lower the cost. The crack under your egress window can be quickly diagnosed and repaired. But add some rain to the picture, and the crack opens up, water flows into your basement and you’ve suddenly multiplied your expenses—and maybe even wrecked something priceless in the process.

Think of it like your car. It’s less expensive to change the oil regularly than replace your engine, right? The same thing goes for home maintenance. Unfortunately, your home doesn’t come with a check-engine light. But think of a sticking window, sloping floor or wall crack as a sign there is a problem.

Your home won’t repair itself. However, we can tell you that the sooner you diagnose and repair a problem, the easier it will be on your bank account in the long run.

Be Ready to Make a Decision

Often, contracting businesses take a no-haggle approach with homeowners. But in the absence of negotiating, they do offer discounts.

Some businesses offer same-day savings, because it helps them run more efficiently. That’s because if you wait to make your decision, another inspection may be needed. Which means sending out another person, using more gas, putting additional miles on a company car, etc.

If a company offers same-day savings, you should seriously consider it. Every day, homeowners miss out on 5% off a project that’s $10,000 or more simply because they weren’t ready to make a decision. By the way, 5% of $10,000 is $500. Not a small amount of money to anyone.

Pay Attention to Financing Options

In addition to paying cash, there are other ways to finance a home-repair project, including personal loans, home equity loans or lines of credit or using a credit card.

Sometimes interest rates are low, which helps keep the total cost of borrowing down. But other factors to consider include how low you’d like your monthly payments to be and how long you want to carry the debt.

Also, it’s a good idea to ask the contractor if there is a benefit to financing with them directly, such as paying no interest for a certain period of time or receiving a discount on the total cost of the project.

Only Fix It Once

There’s only one way to make sure you don’t need to fix an issue again, and that’s getting it done right the first time. Yes, we know this seems obvious, but hear us out. Google “bad contractor,” then immerse yourself in the hundreds of stories about the homeowners who were “taken advantage of” and “never thought it would happen” to them. Unfortunately, there are bad actors in the home repair industry. Sometimes, it’s intentional. Other times, it’s a well-meaning effort, but they simply didn’t know what they were doing.

The solution? Pick the business that you know will do it right the first time. Not the cheapest. Not the fastest. Pick the one who will stand behind their work.

Lastly, hire a specialist for the type of repair you need instead of a general contractor or handyman. Read reviews. See how the company interacts with its customers online. Ask how long they’ve been in business, what training they’ve completed and how many homes they’ve fixed. And always ask about the warranty and what happens to it if they go out of business.

As you can see, by following a few simple rules, you can make sure you not only get your home fixed right, but you can sleep well knowing you’ve actually saved money in the long run.

Foundation Cracks: Normal Cracks and When to Worry

2023-01-13T00:00:00.05Z

Cracks in a home's foundation are a typical sign of an underlying structural problem. But not all foundation cracks are an issue to be concerned about. When combined with other symptoms, a cracked foundation warrants an inspection. You may see wall cracks in block basements or poured concrete walls sagging inward at the top. You may also notice bouncy floors as your crawl space deteriorates beneath them. Even issues that may seem unrelated can indicate a problem with the foundation, such as sticking windows and doors, ceiling gaps, and a tilting chimney.

Ignoring these warning signs of a foundation problem can be catastrophic for your home’s safety, value, and appearance. While some foundation cracks are normal, others can lead to significant structural damage and allow foul odors, pests, and water to enter the home.

This article will teach you everything you need to know about foundation cracks, including why they occur, the different types of foundation cracks, and when to call your local foundation repair expert for help.

What Causes Foundation Cracks?

Foundation cracks are typically caused by one of three conditions.

Curing Concrete: When concrete cures, it creates minor cracks within the slab, often referred to as shrinkage cracks. At less than 1/16” wide, shrinkage cracks are typically harmless.
Foundation Settlement: The natural settlement of your foundation is caused by loose backfill, soil erosion, and other soil deterioration under or around the home. Settlement cracks are one of the most serious foundation cracks because they are consistently growing.
Soil Expansion: The expansion of soil occurs when the soil becomes wet or dry with changes in weather conditions. Wet soil can expand enough to place significant pressure on your home’s foundation. This can cause your foundation walls to bow inward and crack.

Common Types of Foundation Cracks

Some cracks in the foundation, including hairline cracks, are considered normal foundation cracks. These typically appear due to settling or concrete shrinkage. Other types of foundation cracks might indicate a serious structural problem. Take note of which scenario describes your foundation problem and find out what the next steps should be to solve it.

Horizontal Cracks

You may see horizontal cracks in your basement walls. These cracks commonly happen due to unbalanced soil and hydrostatic water pressure pushing against your foundation. Your foundation may start to lean inward, and water can begin to leak from the crack. Horizontal cracks can occur in both concrete blocks and poured foundations.

Vertical Cracks

Unlike horizontal cracks, vertical foundation cracks typically don’t present a significant threat. They usually occur in poured foundations and develop vertically up and down the foundation wall. Vertical cracks are caused by the natural settling of the foundation over time. They are usually harmless unless moisture seeps through the cracks and into the home.

Stair-Step Cracks

Stair-step cracks are among the most concerning foundation cracks. They typically occur in block foundations and are particularly dangerous when they appear along mortar joints, which are vital to your foundation. Stair-step cracks are caused by foundation settlement and moisture seeping in from the outside. Constant pressure from the surrounding soils can make the cracks grow faster, resulting in significant damage.

Diagonal cracks at the corner of a window or door opening are usually caused by concrete shrinkage and aren't an emergency.

Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks are typically found in new foundations. However, they usually do not appear until one year after the construction is complete, as the settlement of the new foundation causes them. Luckily, these cracks are usually minor and can be repaired quickly.

Diagonal Cracks

Initially, diagonal foundation cracks do not threaten the structural integrity of your home. However, as with any foundation crack, they can worsen over time. Diagonal cracks are typically caused when concrete foundation walls cure. Most concrete diagonal cracks can be repaired using an affordable epoxy crack injection.

When Should You Worry about a Cracked Foundation?

Cracks in your foundation can be quite serious. As foundation cracks develop and grow, they put the structural integrity of your home at risk and become more expensive to repair. If you’ve noticed cracks in your foundation, it’s important to monitor them closely. Cracks that display the following characteristics can indicate a severe foundation problem:

Moisture or odors are seeping in through the foundation crack.
The foundation crack is more than â…› inch in width.
The foundation crack grows significantly over time.

Foundation cracks can be a natural occurrence of your concrete settling over time. Certain foundation cracks, such as vertical cracks, can appear troublesome but are typically insignificant. However, it is always a good idea to have your foundation crack inspected by an expert to identify the root cause of the problem and determine if foundation repair is necessary.

Foundation Crack Repair Solutions

There are many types of foundation crack repair methods. The technique used to repair your cracked foundation will likely depend on the type and severity of the crack, as well as any other underlying foundation problems. Some of the most common foundation repair solutions include:

Bowing Foundation Wall Repair: Foundation wall anchors and braces are the best way to combat a failing foundation wall. They permanently stabilize the foundation wall and prevent future damage.
Leaky Foundation Wall Repair: Foundation piers, wall anchors, and braces will fix leaking foundation walls.
Bowing and Cracked Foundation Wall Repair: Carbon fiber straps reinforce foundation walls and restore them to their original position.
Leaning Foundation Wall Repair: A leaning foundation wall can be stabilized and repaired using common foundation repair methods, including wall braces and anchors.
Settling Foundation Wall Repair: Steel piers or a polyurethane injection system will straighten settling foundation walls.

It's essential to repair foundation problems as quickly as possible to protect your home's safety, value, and structural integrity. Contact us for a free estimate if you're concerned about foundation cracks or have noticed other signs of foundation settlement.

Common Questions About Foundation Wall Cracks

Which Foundation Cracks are the Most Dangerous?

Stair step cracks are typically the most dangerous foundation cracks. This type of crack most commonly occurs in concrete blocks and brick foundations.

Which Foundation Cracks are Normal?

Vertical foundation cracks are normally nothing to be concerned about. They are a common sight in many homes and are caused by excess rain putting pressure on the concrete foundation.

Can I Repair My Foundation Crack Myself?

Some foundation cracks can be repaired using a simple kit from a hardware store. Vertical cracks can be sealed using water-resistant epoxy and can be avoided by regularly cleaning your gutters and strategically angling downspouts away from the foundation. More complex foundation cracks, such as horizontal cracks, need an expert's opinion. If you are unsure about repairing a cracked foundation or other problem, always call your local foundation repair company for their expertise.

Why Should I Repair My Foundation Crack?

Foundation cracks will worsen over time, leading to more damage and expensive repairs in the future. Without repair, foundation cracks create a perfect entryway for moisture and odors. Moisture can lead to mold, mildew, pests, and poor air quality. It can also result in water damage and standing water inside your home, potentially ruining clothing, carpets, and other valued household items. Replacing these items can be very expensive - especially when coupled with the cost of repairing the cracked foundation.

Having foundation cracks inspected and repaired before they worsen will save you time and money. Plus, there’s nothing like the confidence and peace of mind you’ll gain from knowing that your home is protected!

The Truth About Concrete and Curb Appeal

2022-10-06T00:00:00.05Z

You hear it thrown around a lot, but what exactly is curb appeal? Well, at its most basic, it’s what differentiates your house from those around it to a passerby — either on foot or in a car — from the curb or beyond. It can be the overall design of the home. It can be its landscaping. It can be a combination of the two. But one thing common to virtually all homes is concrete: driveways, paths, sidewalks, pool decks and patios. In many ways, a home’s concrete is its calling card — something a visitor sees before ever setting foot in your home.

So, when concrete deteriorates (and it always does), it can really let down the rest of the home by reducing, you guessed it, its curb appeal.

Why Good Concrete Goes Bad

Concrete is amazing stuff. It can be poured and shaped into just about anything. It is strong and durable. But, it isn’t indestructible. Over time, concrete can crack, sink and deteriorate due to a variety of factors, including:

· Poorly Compacted Fill Soil
When your home was built, contractors likely moved soil around the property for construction purposes: to achieve design grades, as backfill within utility trenches and as backfill against foundations. When fill soil is not compacted well, it settles, taking any overlying concrete slabs with it. Sometimes voids form between the slab and the soil which, most often, results in slab cracking and settlement.
· Soil Shrinkage
Another cause of soil movement is drought. During dry conditions or even just during periods of warm weather and low precipitation, soil under your concrete can dry out and shrink, again taking overlying concrete with it immediately, or creating voids. The concrete above these voids eventually cracks and sinks, especially if any weight is placed on it.
· Soil Softening
When rain returns after a sustained dry period, the water has even easier pathways to get under the slab due to cracks and crevices that are present after shrinkage. And this wetted, softened soil may now be too weak to support heavy or sustained vehicle loads. In worst-case conditions, the soil erodes and washes away completely, leaving behind large voids and areas of unsupported slabs that can sink and become uneven.
· Moisture
Water seeps into cracks and pores of untreated concrete, and when temperatures drop, that trapped moisture expands as it turns to ice. When freezing water is confined and restricted from expansion, the forces that are generated may be enough to damage the concrete. Over time, this repeated freezing and thawing results in the surface of your concrete exhibiting symptoms of pitting and flaking.
· Oil, Gas and Other Chemicals
Concrete’s porous nature also makes it susceptible to staining from oil, gas and other chemicals if left untreated. Just as with cotton or wool fabrics, concrete becomes stained when contaminants penetrate the surface and take hold. This is the reason you treat a living room couch with a spray-on stain repellent. Concrete, too, can be treated to prevent staining. This treatment can also prevent damage caused by the freeze/thaw cycle.

Why You Should Fix Your Concrete Problems Now

Because they typically develop and worsen slowly, concrete problems are easy to ignore. But things only get worse and more complex to fix as the years pass.

So, maybe you’re putting off addressing your concrete problems because you think the only answer is disruptive, noisy, messy concrete replacement. You picture old concrete being jackhammered out and hauled away. New concrete being poured and left to cure for up to a week or more. And, when it’s all said and done, the soil issues that caused your concrete to fail in the first place are still there, lurking beneath the slabs.

But, there is a better way –– a way to lift, level and stabilize concrete permanently and have it ready for use within just 48 hours. The solution is lightweight expansive polyurethane foam. This foam is forced under the slabs while in liquid form. It runs quickly and finds every crack and fissure. Then it expands to fill these spaces, lifting the concrete above it and compressing the soil beneath. But not all foams and foam installers are the same. Make sure to do some research before hiring a contractor.

In addition to foam leveling, thanks to another new technology, old, worn-out concrete can even be resurfaced with a layer of polymer cement so that it looks brand-new, with minimal disruption and minimal mess. When combined with foam leveling and other protective measures, it can restore your home’s concrete so that it’s virtually like-new.

Peace of Mind. Quality of Life. Property Value.

The bottom line is, concrete problems don’t get better with time. And, that means they don’t get less expensive to fix either. When you make the decision to fix them, you’ll not only restore, and maybe even improve, your home’s value and curb appeal, but you’ll also be able to sleep soundly in the knowledge that your home’s concrete issues have been put behind you, and you and your family can once again enjoy your home the way its builders intended

Don't Replace Your Broken Concrete-Repair It!

2022-08-18T00:00:00.05Z

Don’t Replace Your Broken Concrete—Repair It!

So, if you’ve made the wise decision to address your home’s concrete problems, your first thought may be to replace it. And while that would certainly fix the curb appeal issue—at least for a while—there may be a better alternative.

The Hassle of Total Concrete Replacement

Replacing a sidewalk or driveway is a seriously big job—one that will leave you and your family without the use of your concrete for days or even weeks. First, the old concrete must be broken up and taken away. Usually this means jackhammering it into smaller, more manageable pieces. And jackhammering means noise—lots of it. Just make sure you prepare your neighbors ahead of time.

Once the concrete is broken up and removed. New concrete must be mixed and poured into place. Once that’s done, it must harden and cure. This can take up to a week or two, depending on a variety of factors. During this time, your sidewalk, driveway, pool deck or patio will be unusable. While this might be tolerable with a patio or pool deck, an unusable driveway or sidewalk can be a real nuisance.

The main issue, however, with replacing your concrete is, you aren’t really addressing the reason it likely failed in the first place. That’s because most concrete sinks and settles due to problems with the soil beneath. Excess moisture can cause soil to soften. Drought can cause it to shrink. And soil can even wash away completely if enough water is present, like during a major rainstorm or snow melt. So, when you pour new heavy concrete slabs on old unstable soil, chances are they will sink and settle just like the old stuff did. That means you’re back to square one.

The Best Option for Concrete Repair

Instead of replacing old worn-out concrete slabs, we recommend repairing them and resurfacing them so they look like new. Thanks to modern technology, this option can give you like-new appearance and capability in days, rather than weeks.

First, a rapidly expanding polyurethane foam is shot under the slabs. As it expands and hardens, it not only lifts the concrete above it but also fills voids and compresses the soil beneath it. This permanently stabilizes your concrete so it won’t sink again.

Once your slabs are level, cracks are repaired to keep moisture from getting underneath. Then a high-tech, super-strong polymer cement is spread over the surface, giving it a brand-new look. Lastly, control joints are cut and sealed with a silicone caulk, and then everything is covered with a sealant that bonds with the new concrete surface.

This whole process takes about a day in most cases, and you can return your concrete to normal use just 48 hours later. And, this can all be done with much less mess and noise than total replacement.

So, if you’re thinking of renewing your home’s “calling card”—and we really think you should—consider repairing it rather than replacing it. In most cases, it really is the best option.

Why Mudjacking Isn't the Best Fix for Sunken Concrete

2022-08-08T00:00:00.05Z

Let’s be honest, uneven concrete is unsightly, it lowers your property value, and it’s downright dangerous as a trip hazard. Whether it’s your sinking driveway, sidewalk, patio or pool deck – it needs to be fixed, and fixed right.

But what's the best way to fix your uneven concrete? For many homeowners, the term “mudjacking” comes to mind. And this outdated, messy method could be stopping them from fixing their concrete.

Here’s how it works: Mudjacking crews drill large-diameter holes into the surface, then inject a messy mixture of cement and soil below the concrete. Because the “mud” is hydraulically pumped under considerable pressure, it can lift the cement slab section back to its original position.

But the problem with traditional mudjacking is that the weight of the mixture that is pumped under the slab, combined with the weight of the concrete itself, can actually cause the slab to sink further if the soil beneath isn’t able to support the load.

Pros

· Can be most inexpensive option

· Can level concrete for a period of time

Cons

· Not a permanent fix

· Messy and disruptive

· Large holes left in concrete by installers leave a polka-dotted look

· Return to service in 1-4 days

The good news is there is a modern solution that requires minimal disruption to lift and stabilize concrete slabs.

Homeowners can achieve permanent concrete leveling with PolyLevel®. PolyLevel is a two-part foam engineered to expand immediately upon injection beneath a settled slab. Injection holes are much smaller than those required for mudjacking.

In action, PolyLevel® expands to many times its original volume, forcing the sunken concrete back to its original level. Within a matter of minutes, the expanded polymer hardens and reaches 90 percent or more of its final strength. This makes it possible for the restored surface to regain full functionality right away.

What we mean is, homeowners will be able to use their driveway in less than 20 minutes of concrete leveling with PolyLevel.

Pros

· Affordable, permanent solution

· Non-invasive and less messy

· Immediate return to service

· Lightweight but strong

· Environmentally friendly

Cons

· Can be more expensive than mudjacking

So when you’re frustrated from tripping on your uneven concrete one too many times and you’re ready to fix it, choose the option that makes the most sense for you and your family. And if you’re ready to lift and level your concrete with PolyLevel, call us for your free concrete repair estimate today!

Customer Reviews are Important to Us!

2022-05-20T00:00:00.05Z

After each job is completed, we make a concerted effort to ask you for a review. There’s a reason for this: online reviews have become essential to small businesses.

Not only can an online review from a customer help us show up sooner in searches, but it can also give another customer insight into what it’s like to do business with us. We train hard to be able to offer incredible service and online reviews help us determine if we are doing our best.

Our reviews are what potential new customers are evaluating us on before they even give us a call – but we can’t leave those reviews ourselves. We need your help in giving us feedback so we can redefine the customer experience and to keep this local company in business.

Here are just a few places we’d love to hear from you:

· Google

· Facebook

· BBB

We don’t offer discounts or incentives to those who leave us a positive online review because we want our online reviews to be accurate and authentic.

Our goal is to give you an experience with a contractor that is so positive you want to rave about it online.