foundation wall cracks

Reasons Why Your Foundation Wall Cracks During Winter

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Wall Cracks

Many people are concerned about their basements when Fall comes around. However, you should just be as concerned about the state of your basement in the winter as you are in the Fall. This is because the freezing temperatures of the winter months can cause a lot of damage to your foundation walls.

Frost Heaving

Science has proven that when water freezes it actually expands. This means the same volume of water will occupy a much larger space when it turns to ice. This characteristic of water is the reason for frost heaving.

Frost heaving occurs when water in the upper levels of the soil freezes. As the water in the top layers freezes, it draws more water. Because water expands when it freezes, the frozen soil will exert more pressure on the foundation walls as it seeks more space to occupy. This results in uneven pressure being exerted on the wall. Foundation wall cracks are therefore likely to form.

In many instances, the pressure against the foundation results in hairline cracks that aren’t readily recognizable in concrete foundations. If you have a block or stone wall, the cracks are likely to occur in the mortar joints.

If you don’t get your foundation some professional attention, the problems are only likely to get worse. Foundation wall cracks are likely to become larger over time. They are also likely to get worse when the cycle repeats itself in the next winter.

How to protect your foundation wall

You can’t prevent the winter from coming in. Neither can you prevent the water in the soil from freezing. The best approach to dealing with this problem is protecting your foundation.

  • Find a reliable contractor to help you determine the root cause of the cracks that you’ve noticed in your foundation wall. The only way to deal with a problem is to deal with the cause of the problem first.
  • Have your contractor install drain tile to guide water away from your foundation. This ensures that water does not collect near your foundation and therefore reduces the pressure against the foundation.
  • Insulate the foundation of your home to prevent heat loss. Insulating reduces the chances of frosting too.
  • Ensure that your landscape slopes away from your foundation. This prevents water from running towards your foundation.

Be sure to talk to a foundation waterproofing expert to ensure that all areas are covered.

foundation repair

Foundation Repair for Summer Foundation Damage

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Repair

The summer is one of the busiest seasons when it comes to foundation repair. Not only is the weather perfect for outdoor work, but the summer heat also causes great pressure on home foundations.

During the summer, there is less precipitation and higher ambient temperatures. The rapidly changing weather conditions place a great deal of pressure on the foundation. The spring time rains result in extremely wet conditions. Wetter conditions result in the expansion of soil, which in turn exerts increased pressure on the foundation. When the summer comes around, the high temperatures result in the evaporation of moisture from the soil. The soil becomes dry and contracts rapidly. This results in less support for the foundation from the surrounding soil. The foundation may bulge out as a result.

The fall comes around with cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. This results in the expansion of the soil, which in turn exerts pressure against the foundation. This may cause the foundation to bulge inward.

Although foundations are designed to withstand the stresses that come with seasonal changes, the effects of the changing pressure build up over years. The damage is gradual and the foundation can lose its structural integrity over time. It is therefore important to have your foundation inspected periodically.

Summer foundation damage warning signs

It is best to contact a foundation repair specialist in the early stages of foundation damage. This ensures that the damage can be dealt with more easily. It is also less expensive and involving to deal with damage in the early stages. Look out for the following signs of summer foundation damage.

  1. Your doors and windows don’t close as smoothly as they used to. Doors and windows could be getting stuck or locks may not be fitting as they ought to.
  2. Your roof is sagging
  3. Your walls are leaning
  4. Your chimney is tilted
  5. The concrete or bricks used to make the foundation walls are flaky or crumbling
  6. You have faulty toilets, leaking pipes or other plumbing problems
  7. There are gaps at the points where the wall meets the ceiling or floor.
  8. Your house is producing groaning noises

Get in touch with a professional contractor to ensure that your foundation is inspected periodically. This ensures that any damage is spotted early. A professional contractor will recommend the best option for foundation repair based on your particular circumstances and requirements.

foundation repair in Trenton NJ

4 Reasons for Foundation Repair in Trenton NJ

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Foundation Repair in Trenton NJ

After the roofs, the foundations are probably the most heavy component of a house. They have to hold up the entire structure in a way that it lasts a lifetime.

Unlike other consumer goods, foundations are not engineered with, what in architectural terms is called a planned obsolescence built in. They are intended to last forever.

They can, however be damaged to the point of needing foundation repair. In severe cases, they might just fail. While such circumstances are rare, they are also, to a certain extent, avoidable and with proper maintenance, preventable. Here are a few reasons why a foundation may fail.

Soil type: There are many types of soil and depending on which region or locality you are from, it can either be stable or prone to wild movement. Clayey soil is the worst offender in that they expand and contract depending on how much water they soak up.

A particularly dry summer can cause the soil to shrink noticeably, while a flood can make it swell. If it happens enough times and you don’t notice, your foundation can fail.

Insufficient fill material: Most often, foundations are made and filled in with a number of different materials. If they are not mixed properly, or are the type that tend to settle in later, they can shift over the course of time. The issue can be reversed with simple foundation repair techniques.

Mass wasting: Mass wasting is a geographical term for the ground moving away. It is a serious issue in hilly regions and in places where the topography is not level. It is similar to a landslide, but takes months and sometimes years to slowly slip away.

A landslide is fast and happens within a matter of minutes, while mass wasting takes time and can be invisible till its too late.

Bad construction: Sometimes, your contractor may just do a shoddy job. Badly constructed buildings have to go through foundation repair procedures more than the well planned ones. If your home is not built well, repair it now and avert further damage easily.

Note that most of the above foundation repair causers can be reversed if caught early. A lot is happening in the ground under your home, most of it invisible. But if you have a keen enough eye, you catch it early and before there is any permanent damage.

basement waterproofing in new jersey

How Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey Can Save You Money

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

Basement waterproofing in New Jersey can save you money just like an insurance policy can. It starts saving you money when something goes wrong. And it saves you big money when something really big goes wrong.
A basement waterproofing system is more about prevention than anything. Therefore, when we talk about potential savings, you have to look at your individual situation, see what you have in your basement, and determine what it is worth to you.

Storage Items:

Most people at the very least use the basement for storage. On the low end, basement waterproofing can save you the cost of replacing those storage items. That is if they are even replaceable. Many times what we store away in the basement are priceless heirlooms and keepsakes. It is hard to even put a monetary value on these types of items. The non-sentimental items still have some value. At least, they are valuable enough for us to store them. Basement waterproofing on an unfinished, storage space will save you the heartache of dealing with damaged storage boxes if your basement was to flood.

Finished Basements:

This is where basement waterproofing will save you the most money. The best case scenario for a finished basement is dealing with all water issues and installing a basement waterproofing system BEFORE you finish the basement. This will save you from ever having to re-finish the basement if there is a water issue in the future. Plus, the EPA recommends it when converting the basement to living space. Mold, odors, and high humidity don’t make for the best environment for living space anyway.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, the cost of a mid-range basement remodel is $62,834. That is to create a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with a wet bar and a full bathroom. That also includes the cost of enclosing a mechanical room, paint and trim, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Construction isn’t cheap and that would not be fun to pay for it twice if you ever had to replace it after a basement flood. Not to mention the cost of cleaning up the mess.

Every basement waterproofer has had to pull out a destroyed finished basement due to a basement leak or flood. It is a hard lesson and a sad day. If they would have installed the system beforehand, basement waterproofing would have saved them so much money!

Future Foundation Repair:

Basement waterproofing not only protects your home and basement from potential water issues, but it also protects your foundation. Water pressure building up outside the foundation wall is the top reason foundations crack. If you don’t deal with the water issues outside the foundation it will inevitably affect your foundation walls. The worst case scenario is a neglected foundation that has moved past hairline cracks and leaks to serious structural problems. The foundation is the most important part of any building, and if the health and integrity of the foundation is compromised, the whole building will eventually see the effects. It is very dangerous to leave alone. Taking care of the water issues with basement waterproofing will save you the cost of future foundation repair, which ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the situation and the severity.

Peace of Mind:

Knowing you will save yourself a lot of heartache and hundreds to thousands of dollars cleaning up and fixing problems that could have been prevented is worth it. The peace of mind basement waterproofing in New Jersey brings is priceless.

Contact us for a FREE Estimate for basement waterproofing in New Jersey.

buying a home in new jersey

Structural Problems to Look For When Buying a Home in New Jersey

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Buying a Home in New Jersey

When you are house shopping, it is easy to forget to about the foundation. However, making sure the foundation is in good shape and structurally sound may be one of the most important steps when buying a home in New Jersey.

Inspect the foundation

First look at the foundation, and watch for any cracks inside or out. Small vertical cracks may be nonstructural but could potentially cause water infiltration. You can watch for mold or water stains to show the crack does leak. These nonstructural cracks should be fixed prior to moving in just to save you from dealing with major water issues come winter.

The horizontal cracks in a foundation wall are signs of structural damage. Also stair step cracks in block wall foundations or bulging or bowed walls are also signs of structural foundation problems.

Watch for signs upstairs

You can also watch for signs of settlement issues upstairs. If the doors and windows stick or if there are cracks in the sheetrock upstairs in the walls or the ceiling, you may have a foundation problem. Cracks can also be in the trim around the windows and doors. That is a sign the foundation is moving.

Look into the history of the site

Even newer houses can run into potential structural problems if the house was built on unstable ground. Do your research to see what the property was used for in the past. Past gravel pits, old landfills and dumps can be the cause of major foundation problems. Most developers will know not to build over past pits, but sometimes they don’t. There have been issues where developers will bury large tree stumps or garbage on the building site creating massive problems when those decompose. It will create holes in the ground and create an unstable ground.

Watch for water issues and signs of water build-up

Water issues in the basement should never be left alone. Always fix the leaks and other water issues in the basement because not only does it cause mold, mildew, and poor indoor air quality inside the home, but it also is the culprit of foundation damage. Leaving a basement leak or a leaky crack in the foundation will eventually start to deteriorate the foundation wall making it weak and fragile. Water damage to the foundation wall can result in spalling where the concrete starts to break off the foundation wall. Water infiltrating the basement is also a sign there is water build up on the outside wall. If there is water building up in the soil outside, then it is creating hydrostatic pressure, a common cause of structural damage in foundation walls. Basement waterproofing and proper outside drainage systems will relieve hydrostatic pressure and potential structural problems.

You can negotiate in the contract to have the seller solve these foundation issues before you buy the house. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy the house because most of these issues can be fixed. With a professional foundation repair contractor and/or basement waterproofer, you won’t have to worry. Just make sure it gets in the final agreement to either have them fix the issue or drop the price of the house so you can fix the issue after you buy it. It is a good idea to elicit the help of a foundation repair contractor if you suspect foundation issues. They will be able to provide an inspection and quote to help you negotiate and understand what you are really getting into. This information will help you make your decision.

If you’d like a FREE Estimate for foundation repair when buying a home in New Jersey, then please contact us!

Basement Waterproofing | Monmouth County, NJ | Select Basement Waterproofing

Home Equity Can Come From Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

WaterProof Stg0 Home Equity Can Come From Basement Waterproofing in New JerseyBasement waterproofing in New Jersey is a major factor in maximizing your home equity. Fixing minor problems are easy. But fixing major flaws become very important since it is both time consuming and expensive. Although basements are not used as much as kitchens, many sellers overlook the importance of a dry basement. In today’s buyers market, a clean dry basement is a must. Most statistics say well over 90% of home buyers won’t even look at a house when there are foundation issues. With a basement comes its many problems like leakage and flooding during rainy months. Basement waterproofing in New Jersey is a good solution that can make the sale of the home easy.

The Importance of Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey

While new home buyers sometimes look at basements as an added bonus, they are very cautious of buying homes with unkempt basements. Maintaining basements through the year is difficult, but with right kind of waterproofing, it can be easily done. When hiring a basement waterproofing contractor, make sure they offer a lifetime transferable warranty. When home shoppers see the foundation is under warranty, this is a great indicator that you have kept up the maintenance on your foundation and home.

Look for Foundation Cracks

A minor fracture found in the mortar joints of concrete block walls may not just be a simple “settling crack”. That may actually be the movement of the wall inward due to pressure from the earth’s clay on the exterior. These cracks on the interior are just the tip of the iceberg as far as damage is concerned. Popular Science tells there can be 3 to 4 times as many cracks to be found on the exterior wall when one is found on the inside. These cracks on the exterior lead to water seepage into the hollows of the block. That moisture, hidden and unseen in the hollows may take a while to leak presentable water on the interior.

These are just a few of the indicators of a much more significant issue. Professional inspections can prevent much of the more significant damage caused from this moisture. An ounce of prevention can save a pound of cure. Basement inspections may not solve the problem, but their diagnosis is the first step in attaining a dry, safe environment. If you would like a professional consultation on your foundation, please contact us.

house jacking

Select Basement Now Performs House Jacking!

Posted by Stephen Bertolacci on

House Jacking

We’ve recently made a new addition to our already extensive line of top quality professional services, house jacking. By adding this capability, we are providing yet another service we can offer our valued customers. By offering as many top quality services as we can, we believe we can better serve our customers.

When should you consider house jacking?

So what is house jacking and when should you use it? Well, sometimes depending on the condition of the soil around your home, your foundation can begin to sink into the ground. You’ll notice this sort of thing when dry wall or plaster walls begin to crack upstairs, windows and sliding doors become difficult to open and close, or you literally notice the floors in your home sinking in or becoming unlevel. The major shifting in your home’s foundation is a very serious structural issue, and can introduce water and moisture, harmful mold, and unwelcome critters into your home.

Since there’s really no way to change the composition of the soil around your home, most homeowners have to resort to jacking the house. House jacking is a difficult procedure that requires a professional touch, so it’s best not to attempt this on your own. Contact us for more information!

Got Something to Share? Add Your Comments Below!