Wall Crack

Foundation Wall Cracks Repair in Waterloo, Ames, Des Moines, IA

a foundation wall crack on a Chariton home.

At Midwest Foundation Repair, we can inspect your foundation at no charge, providing you with a written solution that's warrantied to permanently stabilize your home's structure.

In many cases, we may even be able to close the cracks, straighten doors and windows, and return your foundation to its original position.

The Problem:

You've noticed cracks in your foundation walls.

Telltale Signs:

  • Horizontal or vertical wall cracks
  • "Stair-step" or diagonal cracking
  • Bulging, buckling foundation walls
  • Pushing in at the bottom of the wall
  • Sliding in at the top of the wall

How to Fix It:

Foundation wall cracks have several different causes, and each has its own unique solution.

Concrete walls may experience small cracks as they cure. These are normal and may be no cause for alarm.

If your walls are cracking due to foundation settlement issues, foundation piers may be your solution.

If your foundation walls are failing due to expansive soils, a wall anchor system may solve your problem.

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We have warrantied solutions that fix foundation wall cracks! Call us for a free foundation repair quote today! We serve Waterloo, Ames, Des Moines, and many nearby areas in Iowa.

Different Types Of Foundation Wall Cracks

Foundation cracks vary in severity from a simple cosmetic issue to a major structural problem with your home. However, even serious foundation problems, when addressed early on, can be quickly and permanently fixed.

Cracks form in foundation walls for three main reasons:

diagram of foundation push piers and helical piers stabilizing a ranch house foundation.

Temporary Fixes For Foundation Walls

Many contractors will try to earn your business by suggesting a cheap solution that they know will not permanently solve your problem. Solutions that hide your issues, such as painting over drywall cracks or tuckpointing cracks in brick are short-term solutions only. If the cause of the problem is not addressed, the cracks will soon reappear, and more covering up and patching will be needed.

Additionally, attempts to seal drywall or mortar cracks are easy to identify, due to variances in the finish or workmanship. When tuckpointing brick veneer, it's especially difficult to match original mortar colors. And if you decide to properly repair your foundation later, these "patches" may need to be removed before the repair can properly restore your walls.

So in the end, you're not hiding anything! Plus, you have to disclose the problem anyways if you ever plan to sell the house.

(Click each photo to enlarge.)

Can I Have A Settlement Issue If My Foundation Walls Aren't Cracked?

A large drywall crack in an interior wall in West Des Moines

Do you have cracks on the drywall on the inside of your home but no cracks on the foundation wall?

Your problem may be a sagging crawl space, and not settlement of your foundation walls. Alternatively, your floor could be sinking down or experiencing upheaval.

There are several foundation problems that can occur even when your foundation walls themselves are not cracking.

Sagging Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces can sag when the support beams sink into the ground. They can also sink when mold and rot weaken floor joists and girders, or when too few crawl space support posts are in place to adequately support the structure bearing down from above them.

As crawl spaces sag, the floor above will also sink. As the floor sinks, it can pull on the partition walls attached to it, leading to drywall cracks.

More about sinking crawl spaces.

Heaving Or Sinking Slab Floors

When the soils underneath slab floors settle or are washed away, the floor itself will begin to sag. Likewise, when the soils underneath a concrete floor expand, the slab will begin to lift upwards.

Either way, the movement of concrete floors can lead to cracks along drywall and the floor itself.

More about concrete floors that sink or heave.

We Do Foundation Wall Crack Repair In IA

No matter what kinds of problems you're experiencing with your foundation walls, our in-house team of foundation experts is here to help. At Midwest Foundation Repair, we repair foundations throughout Iowa every day,

We'd like to offer you a free, no obligation foundation wall repair quote to help you decide what repair solution is best for your home. Each of our free quotes comes at no obligation and includes an on-site inspection, a personal consultation, and a written estimate.

To schedule your free quote, call or e-mail us today! We serve Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo, and surrounding areas such as Ankeny, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Fort Dodge, Cedar Falls, and many areas nearby.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.

our service area

We serve the following areas

Our Locations:

Midwest Foundation Repair
9850 Douglas Ave Suite 100
Urbandale, IA 50322
1-515-992-7046
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