Have you noticed various foundation cracks, jamming doors and windows, or a tilting chimney around your house? These issues typically mean foundation settlement and sinking are at work below your home. The best way to combat these problems is to know the signs and reach out to the experienced team at Peak Structural for a free inspection and effective, long-lasting repair.
Types of Foundation Settlement
Unstable soil is usually at the root of a settling and sinking foundation, and Colorado’s Bentonite clay soil is particularly problematic for foundations. Foundation settlement and sinking can look different in every home. Here are the three most common types of foundation settlement.
Uniform Settlement
With uniform settlement, the entire structure of the home will settle and sink into the ground evenly or uniformly. This usually happens when the home was built on the same layer of soil, and it typically does not result in cracking or other visible damage.
Tipping Settlement
If a house is experiencing tipping settlement, one side will start sinking into the ground, settling to a certain depth. The structure will look like it is tipping upwards as it does so, and foundation cracks typically accompany this type of settlement.
Differential Settlement
Differential settlement is the most common type that homes experience. This happens when the home is built on soil with different layers. It is similar to tipping settlement in that one part of the home shifts or settles, but the rest remains on solid ground. However, different sections of the foundation may settle at varying rates. Symptoms include foundation cracks, drywall cracks, sticking windows and doors, sloping floors, and leaning chimneys.
FAQs
Homes and their foundation can sustain damage, settle, and sink for a variety of reasons. The root cause is typically the soil underneath and around the foundation. Settlement can happen when the soil becomes unstable due to wetting and softening, drying and shrinking, and poor compaction. Colorado’s primarily Bentonite clay soil is notoriously problematic because it is an expansive soil. It will swell significantly when saturated and drastically shrink during times of drought, which are common throughout Colorado. When there is a problem with the soil and it can no longer support the foundation or the weight of the structure, the home will begin to sink and settle into the ground.
It is normal for homes and their foundations to settle into place within the first couple of years after they are built. This can result in some cracking or hairline cracks that should remain stable and not spread. However, if the foundation settles and sinks further, cracks grow and worsen, and other problems become visible such as tilting floors or chimneys, this is structural and safety hazard. It’s important to stay vigilant and contact foundation repair professionals at the first sign of trouble.
Every home and its foundation are different, and each has its own unique repair needs. Once an experienced Peak Structural inspector visits your home for a thorough evaluation, they will recommend customized solutions. Each has its own specific function, but they all permanently stabilize and can potentially lift your foundation. Here are some of the solutions your inspector may suggest:
- Helical Piers
- Push Piers
- Slab Piers
- Helical Deck Piers
- Crawl Space Stabilizer
Explore Solutions
Foundation settlement and sinking can be fixed many ways, and it depends on what type of foundation your home has as well as the extent of damage. At Peak Structural, we have a variety of solutions that can be custom fit to your unique foundation to put it back on solid ground. These include different types of foundation pier systems that are installed under your foundation to stabilize and potentially lift it. Our crawl space stabilizer also can be used to shore up sagging floors. Learn more about these solutions below.
Peak Structural
Crawl Space Support Posts
When crawl space beams get damaged due to high moisture, your floors will begin to sag, and gaps may open between your floorboards. Crawl space support posts are the best solution to the problem.
Peak Structural
Pier Systems: Helical & Push Piers
Learn how helical and push piers work and how Peak Structural can help you restore your home for good.
Peak Structural
The SettleStop™ Wall Anchor System
Our SettleStop wall anchor system is an excellent solution to bowing foundation walls. The innovative system ensures that your walls remain standing straight over time.
Peak Structural
SettleStop IntelliBrace™ Wall Repair System
Basement walls that have problems like cracking and bowing will only worsen over time. Ensure your home and family’s safety with a permanent wall repair system from Peak Structural.
Call us for a Free Inspection
Foundation settlement and sinking are serious issues that can put your home’s structural integrity and family’s safety at risk. It’s important to ensure your foundation is strong enough to withstand the test of time and Colorado’s often volatile weather. Watch out for problem signs like cracking and unevenness, and contact your local foundation repair experts at Peak Structural for a FREE inspection. We have years of experience with diagnosing and repairing foundation damage, and we’ll offer you a no-obligation repair quote and permanent repair solutions. We are proud to serve homeowners in the Greater Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction areas.
