Have You Noticed Any of the Following Signs of Foundation Failure in Your Orange County or Arizona home?
Because we inspect thousands of foundations every year, we know the signs of a foundation needing repair. The most common symptoms a foundation needs to be repaired include the following:
Problems opening and closing windows and doors
Doors and windows that stick or are hard to open and close can be a sign the frame has become out of square.
Drywall cracks
Cracks in drywall throughout the house are one of the most common signs of foundation problems. Typical drywall cracks will appear around door frames and windows, in the ceiling, in corners, and along the wall. Drywall tape can be a good indicator, especially if it’s ripping or coming loose.
Uneven floors
Even a slightly uneven floor can be a sign of foundation settlement.
Tilting chimneys
A chimney that tilts or leans must be repaired right away before someone gets hurt from falling mortar. Even worse, the chimney could fall on your house. A leaning or tilted chimney is often a noticeable foundation issue.
Floor cracks
Cracks in your concrete floor slab could mean foundation settlement. However, it may also be that the slab floor alone has settled. Sometimes, a slab floor sinks independently of the foundation walls, damaging the floor but not necessarily the walls.
If you see any of the above – or even something suspicious that isn’t listed here – contact us today and ask for a foundation evaluation and repair estimate. Dalinghaus Construction has been repairing foundations in Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties since 2011. We’ve got you covered.
What Is Foundation & Repair?
Why Do Foundations Settle?
Soil that wasn’t adequately prepped
Soil needs to be correctly tamped down before you build something on top of it. If this isn’t done, the building will settle into the soil unevenly after it’s built, causing differential settlement.
Poor drainage around the foundation
Poor drainage is probably the leading cause of foundation problems. Soil with a lot of clay expands when it soaks up water and shrinks when it dries out. This creates movement under the foundation and will, over time, lead to differential settlement. Other types of soil are prone to erosion. Soil erosion under a foundation can lead to the formation of voids. When the foundation sinks into the voids, it will become uneven.
Excavation close to the foundation
Heavy excavation too close to a foundation can destabilize the soil under the foundation leading to differential settlement.
Weather changes after construction
f you build a structure on top of clay-rich soil during the dry season, the ground will swell when the wet season returns, creating movement under the foundation. This could lead to differential settlement.
Natural disasters like earthquakes and floods
Foundation Repair Solutions For Southern California (Including Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties) and Phoenix, Arizona
THE DALINGHAUSE FOUNDATION REPAIR PROCESS
Repairing a home’s foundation can be complicated, but we make it simple for homeowners!
Step One - Perform a Foundation Inspection
The first step is a foundation inspection. One of our knowledgeable inspectors will draw a scaled home diagram and perform a thorough evaluation of your property, including floor elevation measurements.
Step Two - Draw Up a Personalized Repair Plan
If we find an issue with the foundation, we’ll give you a full report on what we found, a CAD drawing of your property, and our repair plan.
Step Three - Perform the Necessary Repairs
Once you agree with our foundation repair plan for your property, we’ll get the required city permits and perform the repairs. Most foundation repair projects involve installing push piers or helical piers to transfer the home’s weight away from incompetent clay soils.
