Foundation Repair For Your Atlanta Georgia Home

By Author: Doherty Martin
Total Articles: 96
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Atlanta, GA -Foundation cracks can happen as many different forces apply pressure to, or fail to support , your structure. For example:

* Foundation cracks can occur due to the soils surrounding your foundation walls: Expansive soils tend to occur in places with clay-rich soil. When this soil is saturated with water, it expands, applying pressure against the foundation walls. As this pressure exceeds the bearing weight of the walls, it can lead to damages related to the bowing, cracking and inward movement of your foundation walls.

* Erosion takes place when rainwater or underground springs slowly wash away the soil that supports the foundation. This causes foundation settlement. Signs of settlement include stair-step cracking along walls, tilting chimneys, drywall cracks, and cracks around door and window frames.

Cracks can form in your foundation due to the way the concrete was made or produced:

* One way a crack can form in a basement wall is due to the natural drying and hardening of the concrete as it cures. This has many variables such as: the temperature of the air, the density of the particles, ...
... the temperature of the concrete, the humidity of the day, the air content of the concrete, the density of fly ash within the concrete, and more.

* Another reason that a foundation may begin to crack is due to the conditions by which the foundation is originally constructed. To save time and money, foundations are always backfilled before the concrete has time to completely cure. The impact upon the walls from the sudden pressure of backfill, combined with temperature changes is a recipe for foundation damage.

* A crack can occur when the procedure to extract bubbles from the concrete is improperly conducted. When concrete is mixed, vibrating rods are inserted to shake the air bubbles to the top of the mix. If this is performed inadequately, large air pockets may remain. These air pockets will expand and contract at a different rate than the rest of the concrete, which can lead to deterioration and cracking of the concrete.

* Cracks also occur when too much water is mixed into the concrete. This weakens the structural integrity of the concrete and leaves greater potential for flaking and spalling damage.

Repairing A Damaged Structure

In nearly every situation, removing and replacing the foundation is a step that is not necessary. There are many options for foundation repair that can restore even a severely damaged foundation, without the need for this expensive and time-consuming process.

However, we do not recommend that these repairs be conducted by anyone but a certified professional. Foundation repair is a highly advanced process that takes many factors into consideration, including local soil conditions, the weight of your home, and the condition of your foundation wall.

Once damage has been recognized, it's most cost effective to address the damage quickly. A foundation issue can be repaired at peak efficiency, effectiveness, and for the last monetary cost when conducted early on. Don't wait to solve your foundation issues!

AquaGuard Basement Systems is centrally located in Marietta, Georgia. Locally owned and operated, they're trusted Structural Repair Contractors in Atlanta. In addition to foundation repair, AquaGuard also specializes in crawl space and basement waterproofing, below-grade insulation, and basement upgrades. They proudly serve in Greater Atlanta, including Sandy Springs, GA and many areas nearby.