6 Signs You Need Foundation Repair in Kansas City

Knowing when to call in the foundation repair experts

Foundation problems are common issues for houses within the Kansas City area. Our region’s clay soil composition, paired with the weather constantly flipping between droughts and rain, puts a strain on all types of foundations.

As a result of the perfect mix of dry weather, clay soil, and spurts of rain, you’re likely to see signs of foundation problems all around your home, especially after the impact of spring and summer weather (rain and drought cycles). Watch for these signs that will help you determine if, and when, you need home foundation repair so you can address the problem quickly while keeping your house standing strong and healthy.

6 Signs You Need Foundation Repair

Drywall Begins Cracking

One of the first of the 6 signs you need foundation repair in Kansas City is the drywall begins to crack.  Drywall is made of two pieces of paperboard with gypsum sandwiched between. It makes for smooth, flawless-looking interior walls in your home, but even small foundation shifts can crack this sensitive material. 

If you need foundation repair, you’re likely to see cracks in the drywall running at an angle from the corners of your doors and windows. Your ceiling may also begin cracking. Some settling is to be expected with any home’s foundation, but if the cracks in your drywall become longer or widen, it’s time to call a Kansas City foundation repair company like PierMagic to take care of the foundation problem.

Doors Don’t Close Properly

As the foundation of your home shifts, your interior and exterior doors may no longer close properly. They may stick, or the hardware may not line up because of the uneven foundation, causing the door to not latch. As a result, you could see gaps around your doorways, which originally were hung squarely and evenly.

You can, of course, level the door over and over, and adjust the hardware so your door stays closed, but eventually, you need to address the root of the problem: a sinking foundation. 

Windows Begin to Stick

Just as your doors can show signs of foundation damage, your home’s windows can too. If your windows stick in place when you try to open or close them, it could be a sign that your foundation is sinking.

Leveling the foundation can fix your window issue - but be aware that sticking windows also can be caused by moisture in the wood framing. If you aren’t a professional, asking one to come take a look can help you diagnose the cause so you can freely open and close your windows again. 

Your Floors are Sagging

The structure of your home beneath your floors is what keeps them level and healthy. If your floors sag in the middle or become angled from corner to corner or side to side, you likely need foundation repair.

You may not initially notice a change in the angle of your floors simply by walking on it, but your dog’s favorite ball or your child’s favorite toy car can provide all the evidence you need; just watch the direction the toys naturally roll around. If you reach out to an expert in foundation repair, they will have all of the tools and equipment to determine the cause of sagging or uneven floors. 

Water problems in your home

Typically, the best basement is a dry basement. If your basement walls are wet, or you get standing water in your basement after it rains, your house could have foundation issues. 

Moisture can enter your basement through cracks in the foundation. Even if you don’t see water, if your basement smells musty or develops mold growth, those are signs it has water nearby seeping in and is indeed wet. 

When water comes into your foundation, patching cracks from the inside won’t help; it will only mask the problem until it shows its ugly face again in even worse ways. It’s better to address the cause of the problem with concrete foundation repair and basement waterproofing before it turns into a more extensive and more expensive one.

Bowed and leaning walls

If your foundation issues have gotten so bad that your walls are bowing, you need to call a Kansas City foundation repair expert right away. At this point, you’re likely to have severe foundation damage that will require anchoring and straightening your walls and possibly rebuilding part of your foundation. The safety of the residents within the home can potentially be at risk, so you should not put this call off any longer. 

Similarly, if you notice an exterior wall seems to be detaching or pulling away from your house, this is another sign that you need to have your foundation repaired.

Foundation Repair Isn’t a Job for a Handyman

If you want your concrete or post and pier foundation repaired correctly, you need to call a reputable and local expert to evaluate your foundation problems and determine the best course of action for a long-lasting solution.

At PierMagic, located in Grandview, Missouri, we specialize in pier installation to correct settling foundations, waterproofing leaky basements, correcting drainage issues, and stabilizing bowing walls.

Don’t let a settling foundation unsettle you. With cost-effective solutions for commercial and residential foundation repair, PierMagic is committed to making your experience with us an altogether pleasant one, so you can enjoy your home again without fear of future problems.

Let us evaluate your foundation problem for free, and propose an effective solution. All you have to do is call us at (816) 765-4800, or send us a message online, and we’ll schedule a home visit so that we can provide a solution for your foundation repair needs.