Foundation Crack Repair in Fort Wayne
It’s important to have your home’s foundation repaired as soon as you spot damage. In the case of a foundation, when something is “broken,” it doesn’t just stay that way: It gets worse. Those living in Fort Wayne, and the surrounding areas know how much weather affects nearby rivers, but river flooding is not the only way water can get into your home.
Whether it’s from snow melt or air humidity, any water that hits the ground is absorbed. In turn, this saturates the soil surrounding and under the foundation. Saturated soil expands. It’s this expansion that presses dirt and water against the concrete, causing damage, including foundation cracks and cracks in the basement floor.
Damage can range from a few hairline cracks to a listing home and structural issues such as sagging floors and cracked ceilings. It’s important not to delay in hiring someone to repair your foundation. However, no one is made of money. Knowing what needs to be fixed immediately versus what can wait, and how much of a dent in your savings the repair will cost is information you should know ahead of time.
Cost of Repair
The cost of foundation crack repair depends on the extent of damage. The worse the damage, the longer it takes to repair it, and these repairs may require more costly materials. For example, filling a few cracks in the basement floor costs significantly less than digging around the foundation and installing helical piers and tiebacks. Repair time can range from several hours, such as in the case of slabjacking, to days.
Always look for a foundation and basement specialist. With any business, get references and an estimate. Companies should not charge you for an estimate, nor should they try to push unnecessary repairs on you. Get the estimate in writing and ask for copy to be sent via email or fax.
Avoid those who low-ball estimate costs. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Credentials and licensing are imperative, as is insurance. For mold remediation, make sure your preferred company is certified, like Acculevel. This means employees are trained in the right ways to handle getting rid of mold without spreading it or risking anyone’s health.
Repair Options Offered by Acculevel
If your foundation needs to be stabilized and supported, there are different options. The advantage in hiring Acculevel is that we don’t price gouge. We charge only for things that need to be done, so you can trust you are getting the best work for your money.
For bowed walls, Acculevel has carbon fiber Kevlar straps. When attached, these straps are stronger than steel. Our high-quality epoxy bonds with both the straps and the foundation, so they won’t fall off. But in case you’re still worries, we anchor each strap to the foundation as well. When the epoxy has dried, you can paint over the straps, if you’re so inclined.
Wall anchors provide additional support from the outside, in. Anchors attach to the outside of the foundation wall via steel plates. A rod runs from the plate, through the wall and through the soil, where it attaches to another plate. This gives lateral strength to the wall. Tiebacks are steel rods that can angle downward to provide lateral support at any specific location.
Carbon fiber Kevlar strap installation and materials will cost less than tiebacks, which require excavation. Yes, other support options require landscape digging, but at Acculevel, we keep excavation to a minimum.
Acculevel also offers other repair services, such as crack filling. We use high-quality filler to keep cracks from widening and affecting the foundation’s structure. It may be tempting to do this yourself; after all, there are products sold in home improvement stores for this purpose. However, you don’t know how deep the cracks go, and if you don’t get every millimeter filled, you’ll have problems in the future.
To combat water infiltration, Acculevel offers sump pump systems. Our sump pumps come with battery backups, and help drain your basement of any excess water that gets in. We also do encapsulation to help prevent moisture from making it through the floor.
Acculevel Is Here for Fort Wayne Residents
If you are looking for Fort Wayne foundation repair, such as those mentioned above, turn to Acculevel. We have been the area’s basement and foundation experts since 1996. Acculevel is family-owned and stands by our promises to be fair in pricing and honest about what needs to be repaired. Since you’re already getting estimates, why not contact us for one? It’s free, and there is no pressure to hire us on the spot.
