The Issue

Foundation Settlement

If you own a home, it’s normal for the foundation to settle slightly as the weight of the structure presses down on the soil. This initial settling can cause small, hairline cracks, which are usually harmless but should be sealed to prevent water and pest entry.

However, if your foundation continues to shift, sink, or if cracks grow and change direction, this could indicate a more serious structural problem. Helitech specializes in addressing foundation settlement issues, offering expert solutions to stabilize your home and prevent further damage. Our team can assess your foundation and create a tailored repair plan to keep your home secure and give you peace of mind.

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The Why

Causes of Foundation Settlement

There are two main reasons why foundations settle:

Improper Design: If the foundation wasn’t built to support your home’s weight, it can lead to uneven settling.
Soil Changes: Environmental factors like shifting or eroding soil around your home can cause unexpected settling.

Regardless of the cause, foundation settlement can lead to serious structural damage. If you notice warning signs like uneven floors, wall cracks, or sticking doors, it’s essential to get a professional inspection. Helitech provides expert foundation repair solutions, addressing settlement issues with effective and permanent methods to stabilize and protect your home.

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Types of Foundation Settlement

Foundation settlement can lead to significant structural damage, and it typically happens due to two main factors: environmental changes and issues during construction. Natural causes like shifting soil, moisture fluctuations, and erosion can weaken the foundation over time. On the other hand, improper planning or inadequate design during construction can also result in uneven settling. By understanding the specific cause of your foundation issues, Helitech can develop a targeted solution to address the problem at its source and ensure long-lasting stability for your home.

Your foundation relies on the stability of the soil beneath it. Some soils handle moisture changes well, while others, known as expansive soils, expand and contract significantly with temperature and water fluctuations. This can lead to issues for your foundation. During freeze-thaw cycles or after heavy rainfall, the soil expands, putting pressure on your foundation walls and causing cracks. In dry conditions, the soil contracts, leading to uneven sinking. Since this settlement rarely happens uniformly, parts of your home might shift more than others, causing cracks, leaks, and structural damage.

Helitech’s experts will assess the extent of your foundation settlement and recommend the best solution. Whether it’s reinforcing your home with helical piles and brackets or stabilizing walls with carbon strips, we ensure long-lasting protection for your home.

When building a foundation, contractors must consider soil conditions and the total weight of the finished home, including furniture and storage. They compact the soil and plan the foundation’s depth and structure accordingly. However, insufficient planning can lead to uneven settling, causing significant damage over time. Helitech’s team will assess your foundation, identify any weaknesses, and provide a tailored solution to ensure your home remains stable and secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minor foundation repairs might take a few days, while more extensive projects could take several weeks. The size of your home and the degree of damage will determine the best way to fix your settled foundation, and these factors all affect how long the repair will take. Once your Helitech professionals finishes the initial inspection, they’ll give you a detailed repair plan that outlines our next steps and anticipated timeline.

It depends. Natural settlement, expansive soils, or earth movement are usually considered natural disasters or maintenance issues, which means insurance usually won’t cover foundation problems they cause. However, damage caused by specific sudden and accidental perils, such as burst pipes, might be covered. It’s always best to review your specific policy or consult with your insurance provider for clarification.

While some factors are unavoidable, homeowners can take steps to reduce the risk of foundation settlement. Best practices include maintaining consistent soil moisture around your foundation by using proper landscaping and drainage techniques, ensuring gutters and downspouts direct water away from the home, and addressing plumbing leaks promptly. For a comprehensive guide, refer to our homeowner maintenance checklist.

The cost of foundation repair is highly variable, depending on the extent of the damage, the chosen repair method, and the accessibility of the affected area. Helitech offers free, no-obligation estimates after a thorough inspection to provide you with an accurate cost for your specific situation. We also offer financing so you can get the repairs you need promptly and address the risk of further damage.

Testimonials

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They were great, they got the whole thing done in one day and the next day it rained more than it has all year and no water in the basement thanks to the great work and perfect timing.

Aaron J.

I forgot to mention what a great job Brad and his crew did! Before they started any work, Brad went over everything that they were going to do and how they were going to do it which I really appreciated because then I knew we were all on the same page. They put up plastic during the jackhammering and suggested I turn off the A/C (I did have all the registers closed) so there was minimum dust that got up to the main level. They completed all the jackhammering by the afternoon of the first day, Tuesday. Throughout all three days (I couldn’t believe they completed the job in 3 days!) they were very professional and I sensed they took pride in what they were doing. I was so pleased, too, that they seeded and laid straw down where they dug and placed the drainage line from the sump pump. If every crew is like Brad and his workers, Helitech should be very proud of their employees. I would highly recommend Helitech to any of my family and friends.

And thank YOU, John, for your first assessment of my situation back in May and for keeping in touch especially the week prior to the scheduled work and immediately following the completed job. Helitech gets an A+ in my book because of its knowledgeable and caring employees.

Kathy B.

ST. PETERS, MO

Will and his crew with Helitech did a fantastic job. They made some suggestions and I felt they had my best interest in mind. My porch and house foundation is finally stable and I can relax and enjoy our home.

Mike D.

NEW MELLE, MISSOURI

Very professional from start to finish. They do an excellent job explaining the entire process and in a way anyone could understand. I highly recommend Helitech to anyone in need of this kind of service.

Chris H.

STEPHENS, MO

I could not have asked for a better experience! Working with Brandon has made the entire process easy. He was extremely knowledgeable and really went above and beyond to find the best solution for my basement.

Jessica S.

CHESTERFIELD, MO

They were great, they got the whole thing done in one day and the next day it rained more than it has all year and no water in the basement thanks to the great work and perfect timing.