Real Estate and Foundation Problems

Real Estate professionals tell us that today, more than ever, it is difficult to sell a home with a structural foundation problem. Left untreated, a home's value may have to be discounted significantly to sell, often by much more than the cost of the repair. Therefore, in most cases, you are saving money by addressing your foundation problem now so it is fixed permanently.

There are a number of potential causes of cracked and bowing foundation walls, the most common reason is pressure from the soil near the outside of the wall. When clay soils get wet, they expand and put pressure on the wall and in Kansas and Missouri this is our most common culprit of foundation issues. When the force exceeds the strength of the wall, the wall cracks or breaks. Many times, this starts with 45 degree cracks in walls and spider crack in the basement floor. This will, of course, reduces the structural integrity of the wall as you can imagine, and when a wet cycle is repeated, this causes further weakening and inward movement which will eventually begin to bow the walls toward the middle of the wall where the support is weakest.

Other factors include heavy rains, causing hydrostatic (water) pressure, and other structures like driveways and porches and other concrete slab structures putting pressure on the wall. Additionally, large tree roots, expansion due to frost, and poor grading can play factors.

There are several options for repair, each comes with their own set of advantages and sets of cost. We at KC Pier will always address first the best possible solution to completely resolve the issue. We want our home owners to be completely educated and understand the forces acting on the wall so when we make our recommendations, a home owner will greatly appreciate and understand the work we are putting into the home to fix the solution permanently.

Give us a call today to set up a consultation with one of our foundation experts. We look forward to the opportunity to educate and permanently resolve your cracked basement, foundation and / or bowed basement wall.

Are you real estate professional? Contact us today to set up one our free foundation seminars at your office! Our seminars are free, educational and will immensely help you ease the mind of your buying and selling customers.

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