Foundation Repair Case Studies: Fixing Failing Foundation in Olathe, KS So Family Member Can Safely Move In
Challenge
When you see a large crack in your foundation wall, it could be a sign of wall failure and it's important to address it as soon as possible.
Dorothy has been in her home a long time and her daughter is going to be moving in with her. She wants to finish the basement and place a bedroom down there for her daughter. About three years ago she noticed a crack in her foundation wall and it seemed to be getting larger. Before she invests money in remodeling, she wanted to make sure it's safe for her daughter to move in there.
Dorothy has lived in the same house since it was built in 1984. Over the years, her Olathe, KS community has experienced the same climate swings that other Midwestern states have experienced. Torrential rain followed by seasons of oppressive drought, combined with the clay-based soils in the area, create a recipe for foundation wall failure.
Poured Concrete vs. Block Foundations
Dorothy has a poured concrete foundation. A solid concrete wall acts as a single unit rather than as group as in a mortared block wall when pressure of expansive clay exerts force. The foundation will often fail at the top instead of cracking and bowing as happens during “Stage 1” of a block wall failure. You may still notice cracks leading to the corners as Dorothy did. In Stage 2, you'll start to see it tilt in, leading to Stage 3, complete wall failure. By the size of the cracks, Dorothy was well on her way through Stage 2.
She called Thrasher and System Design Specialist Wyatt Simon provided a detailed inspection to help Dorothy what was happening and what needed to be done. He found that the foundation walls were well on their way to failure. He recommended Power Braces and Soil Anchors to support the worst 2 walls.
Initially, Dorothy was hesitant to move forward. She had been ripped off before and was afraid of being taken advantage of again. Wyatt sat with her for a couple of hours, helping her understand her options and to show her, that Thrasher is not what has become typical in contractor behavior. Our goal is not only to exceed expectations, but creates new expectations for how a homeowner should be treated. Dorothy understood that this is something that needed to be done and put her faith in Thrasher to deliver.
How Often Should Foundation Walls Be Checked
As a homeowner, Thrasher recommends you should be checking your foundation for any new cracks or other signs of foundation wall failure as often as you change your furnace filter or the batteries in your smoke detector.
How long can you wait before you have someone come out and check to see if a large crack in your foundation is Stage 2 or Stage? The bigger question might be, “Why would you wait at all?
Foundation problems only get worse over time. Hoping, praying and putting them out of your mind won't reverse the symptoms and make the situation better. Foundation problems will never be less expensive to fix than they are today. This is your home's foundation we're talking about. It supports your house and everything in it, including your family. Can you afford to let it deteriorate?
If you suspect that you might be seeing the effects of foundation wall failure, it’s time to call in an expert like Thrasher Foundation Repair. In 45 years of business, we’ve seen it all and fixed it all. We are the local experts for all your foundation repair needs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. We offer warrantied solutions that permanently repair foundation issues. Contact us for a free, no-obligation foundation inspection today! By the time we’re done, you’ll know exactly what is causing your cracks, exactly what it will take to repair them permanently and exactly how much it will cost.
To schedule your free inspection, call us today or fill out the contact form, here. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
