Foundation or Concrete Problems in the Industrial District of Seattle

Find someone to do repairs on all kinds of property issues, including sinking concrete slabs, wet basements or cracked foundations.

If your property is having one of these problems, a good contractor can work to get it taken care of.

Your contractor is happy to discuss your building’s condition on the phone and set up a time to swing by your property and check out what is going on.

Not Sure You Have a Problem?

Sometimes it is just obvious that you have a problem. Other times, the symptoms are not easy to see.

These problems can occur at any type of building, and from a new home to an older one.

Signs to Be On the Watch For:

1. Unusual crack in your foundation
2. Gaps around doors and trim, including exterior doors and garage doors
3. Uneven or sloped interior floors
4. Windows and doors that stick to their frames when you try to open or close them
5. Cracks in inside or outside brick walls or mortar
6. There is water in your basement after a rain
7. Separated or cracking interior molding, often door molding or crown molding
8. Cracks in a solid surface interior or exterior wall
9. Vertical cracks in sheet rock, happens most between a door frame and ceiling
10. A wet crawlspace or water pooling too close to your house
11. Large cracks in a concrete basement floor
12. Floors are uneven, sagging or weak, or floor tiles are loose or broke
13. Gaps between a ceiling and a wall or the floor and a wall
14. Separations between exterior walls or a wall and chimney
15. Your basement seems humid, damp or has a musty smell

I’m Worried This is a Hard Problem to Fix

Some foundation problems look like they would be almost impossible to fix, but almost every one can be corrected.

Some of the repair jobs are fairly straightforward; some of the jobs are very difficult.

That being said, correcting a house structure problem takes an experienced contractor and a trusted crew. They also need the right equipment and tools to lift and adjust a house that is no longer straight and level.

Industrial District Basement Waterproofing

If your basement keeps getting wet, they will determine why it is happening and how to stop it.

They might come up with a waterproofing solution that will fix your moisture problem without needing to work inside your basement at all.

It’s possible they can correct the situation just by working outside your property on the rain gutters, grounds and landscaping surrounding your home.

Industrial District Concrete Slab Lifting

Another service they perform is mudjacking. Mudjacking is often called slab jacking or mud jacking. This is the method used to raise up sections of your concrete walk, patio or driveway that has slowly sunk into the soil over the years.

During this mud jacking process, a good technician will force a mud-like substance underneath the portion of your slab that needs to be raised up. That substance fills the gaps below the slab, hardens and forces the concrete slab up. Pretty cool.

When done, your walkway, patio or driveway will look a lot better once all the sections are back to the same height, and nobody will be tripping on them any longer either.

Why Does This Problem Happen?

These issues happen because the earth underneath your house and driveway slowly moves. It slowly contracts or expands due to moisture content and temperature. This slight, but continual, movement can put stress on whatever solid structure is above it. Most structures can handle a little of this movement, but too much movement, too often, can stress even a well-built structure.

Some homeowners get a problem in one of these areas; others do not. One of the big causes of house foundation problems is how much water is around and under the home.

A home that is built on a well-graded lot, where rain water is encouraged to drain away from the house, and a house that has a strong rain gutter system is in a better position to handle these situations than a house which does not have good lot grading or proper gutters.

Another big factor in determining potential foundation issues is the makeup of the soil the house sits on. There are certain types of soil which trap more moisture than other soils do. In most of King County, folks are pretty fortunate, most of the local soil consistency is classified as only mildly absorbent.

Even something as seemingly innocent as having a large tree close to your house can create a problem. The roots of a big tree can grow underneath a house, push up against the concrete and even draw too much water out of the soil during our warm, dry summer months, making the soil under the home too dry.

Each of these types of environmental stress could contribute to the development of small cracks in the base of your house. And a small crack can let in moisture and has a way of developing into a bigger crack over the years.

Can I Wait Before I Do Something About It?

If you think you may have a problem, you should get it inspected by someone who has some experience in this area.

Even if you don’t get the work done right away, at least get someone to take a look at it so you know what you situation is.

A concrete problem won’t get better over time. It will usually get worse. You might be able to put off getting the corrective work done, but it could be in your best interest to tackle it right now.

When water gets into a basement, it can cause problems including humidity and mold. And the amount of moisture getting in will generally increase each year.

Some homeowners want to put repairs off because they think they will be moving soon. But it’s hard to sell any house with signs that might indicate a structural problem. Buyers get scared of getting stuck with a big repair once they move in.

Plus, it’s your obligation to inform home buyers of any known major defects with your house before they buy it. So it doesn’t make any sense to not fix the problem first.

In some situations, homeowners think their problem is so bad it will turn into a big major project and cost them a lot of money to fix.

They sometimes end up being surprised that it can be fixed quickly.

But a homeowner doesn’t know for sure until they get it inspected.

Finding the Right Choice for You?

An experienced company has the knowledge necessary to get your project done right. These contractors have completed projects like this before. They can get your property back in tip-top condition too.

The Local Service Area

They work all over the Central and South Sections of King County including the Industrial District of Seattle and the zip codes of 98134 and 98106.

Type of Jobs Done

– Crack Repair
– Fixing Foundations
– Leveling Properties
– Leveling Concrete
– Waterproofing Basements

  206-539-1117

206-539-1117