United Structural Systems (USS)
Knoxville Foundation Crack Repair
We Guarantee Our Best — Keeping Homes Dry and Stable.
Repair Services
Foundation Repair
We address various foundation-related issues with precision. Our services include stabilizing sloping floors, sealing foundation cracks, and correcting foundation settlements.
Basement Waterproofing
Our waterproofing solutions, including efficient drainage systems, powerful dehumidifiers, and reliable sump pumps, are designed to keep your basement dry and damage-free.
Crawl Space Repair
Our comprehensive crawl space services include encapsulation, waterproofing, structural floor support, and mold remediation, creating a healthy and secure base for your property.
Mold Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier.
Sinkhole Repair
The goal of sinkhole repair is to stabilize the area and prevent the sinkhole from reappearing. That means finding and eliminating the cause of the sinkhole. If water caused the sinkhole – and it usually does – then we need to get the water under control.
Structural Repair
Moisture accumulation, pest infestation, and soil settling can compromise the stability of your home which can lead to damaged beams or joists and uneven floor support. USS is known for having the best structural repair contractors — Contact Us
Concrete Lifting
Sunken, tilted, or cracked concrete detracts from your property’s appearance and presents safety hazards. Our concrete lifting services address these issues head-on, restoring the functionality and safety of your concrete structures.
Brick & Lintel Repair
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is often a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our brick repair experts will ensure your facade is good as new again.
Protect Your Home from Water Damage and Structural Issues
Your home's foundation keeps everything standing tall and sturdy. But over time, or with the right weather conditions, your foundation can start to crack, a problem you don't want to ignore. Foundation cracks can compromise your home's stability, open the door for water to enter, and create new problems. Whether you live near the river in South Knoxville or on the hillsides of Bearden, the soil and weather in this area can take a toll on your foundation, causing cracks that get bigger and bigger if left unchecked.
At USS Knoxville, we've been addressing foundation issues for over 30 years. We recognize how stressful it is to find a crack in your home's foundation and can help. Our experienced team is open and transparent when explaining the issue and the repair solutions we offer. We believe in helping you understand your options, allowing you to make the best choice for your home.
If you're dealing with foundation cracks in Knoxville, please schedule a free inspection by calling us at (423) 320-8883.
At no additional charge, we offer transferable lifetime warranties on our foundation repair and waterproofing services.
What Are Foundation Cracks & What Causes Them?
Foundation cracks are warning signs your house gives off to tell you something's wrong. These cracks usually appear in the concrete or walls of your home's foundation. They're not just ugly; they can also signal that your house is dealing with more significant issues, like shifting soil, water leaks, or even wear and tear from age. Unaddressed, these cracks can worsen and cause more damage, including leaks or even more significant structural problems.
Some of the causes of foundation cracks include:
- Shifting soil: Knoxville has clay-heavy soil that moves around a lot. This soil expands when it's wet and shrinks when it's dry. That shifting can cause cracks in the foundation.
- Water damage: Knoxville gets 50+ inches of rain annually. All that water can seep into the soil around your home and start putting pressure on your foundation.
- Aging foundation and shifting soil: Materials break down, and the foundation can begin to crack simply because it's been holding up the house for decades. In some cases, the home may have been built with poor materials or construction practices, making it more susceptible to cracking.
- Poor drainage: Homes can have drainage problems, meaning rainwater doesn't flow away from the house as it should. When the ground around the house stays wet for too long, it can push against the foundation, leading to cracks.
- Temperature changes: When the ground gets hot or freezes, it can cause the soil to expand and contract, which can crack foundations. Temperature changes can put extra pressure on the foundation and cause it to shift.
- Tree roots: When tree roots grow too close to the foundation, they can push against the walls or even crack the concrete. Homes near big trees are more likely to have this issue.
Identifying Foundation Cracks
Noticing cracks in your home's foundation can be scary, but knowing what you're looking at is essential.
Cracks in your foundation can show up in all shapes and sizes, but the direction of the crack can tell you a lot about what's happening under your house:
- Vertical cracks are the most common type. These cracks usually appear in the foundation or basement walls and often happen because of the home's natural settling. If these cracks are small and just on one wall, they might not be a huge problem, but if they grow bigger, it's time to get them checked out.
- Horizontal cracks, on the other hand, are a different beast. These cracks are much more serious because they can indicate that the foundation is under a lot of stress—often from water pushing against the walls or soil movement. If you see horizontal cracks, especially if they're wide or deep, you'll want to have a professional look at them fast.
- Stair-step cracks are another type you might see, especially on brick or block foundations. These cracks follow the mortar joints in a zig-zag pattern, like a stairway up the wall. While they may not seem alarming initially, these cracks can signify foundation settlement, meaning the ground under your house is shifting, causing your home to sink or settle unevenly. If these cracks worsen, they can signal serious structural issues that need immediate attention.
Foundation Crack Repair Methods
When you notice a crack in your foundation, it's easy to think that slapping on some epoxy or caulk will do the trick. But, the truth is, repairing foundation cracks is a bit more complicated than that. Cracks don't just appear on your foundation for no reason—they're usually a sign that something bigger is beneath the surface, like shifting soil or water damage. To fix the issue, you need to address the cause of the cracks, not just cover them up.
The following are the leading repair methods used to get your foundation back in shape:
- Stabilizing the foundation: For more serious cracks that signal deeper issues, like settling or shifting foundations, you'll need to get the whole house back in balance. Ways of doing that include installing piers, anchors, or nails.
- Reinforcing bowing walls: In cases where the foundation walls are bowing or leaning, which often happens when there's too much pressure from the outside (like from water or shifting soil), carbon fiber straps are a go-to solution. These high-strength straps are applied to the walls to help reinforce them and prevent further bowing.
Turn to Us for Foundation Crack Repair
At United Structural Systems, we aim to provide long-lasting, reliable solutions. Our foundation crack repairs are done with high-quality materials and craftsmanship to keep your home stable for the long haul. A foundation-related repair can be stressful, so we offer free consultations and transparent pricing to help you understand the process before we begin any work.
We offer financing plans, accept major credit cards and personal checks.
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