7 Causes of Home Foundation Problems Part 7: Inferior Foundation Construction

Occasionally, you run into a homebuilding team who unfortunately views cutting corners as a legitimate way to cut costs. While there are many expert companies that build high-quality homes all over Kansas City, there are also deceptive builders who end up using inferior concrete and piering solutions, and other inadequate materials which may “look good” at first, but end up causing foundation problems for homeowners down the road. 

PierMagic, the premier team for foundation repair in Kansas City, is here to resolve foundation issues that derive from faulty craftsmanship, weak materials, and inferior foundation construction. We’ve dedicated ourselves to helping Kansas City homeowners resolve  these issues quickly. Your home is one of your largest investments ,and a place to keep your family safe, so the last thing you want is an unstable, failing foundation upon which the rest of your house stands. 

As with all our articles on the Seven Causes of Foundation Problems, PierMagic has witnessed these foundation problems in action, and has developed customized strategies and solutions to ensure that even the most challenging situations can be resolved with our affordable services, including polyjacking, concrete foundation repair, post and pier foundation repair, crack sealing, and much more. 

What Is Inferior Foundation Construction, and Why Does It Create Home Foundation Problems?

When a construction company lacks experience or is trying to protect their bottom line with inferior materials or inexperienced labor, an unstable foundation can result.

The causes of inferior foundation construction include the following:

• Ineffectively treated concrete
• Poor-quality building materials 
• An inexperienced team on the job
• Lack of familiarity with Kansas City soil composition

We have sympathy for homeowners who would never know that their home was built insufficiently. Inferior foundation construction can create foundation problems for these important reasons: 

• Inferior concrete preparation crumbles under pressure; it is also more porous, which causes shifting and introduces moisture to the home. 

• Low-quality steel beams won’t strengthen the foundation or support the upper floors of the home. This leads to crumbling, cracking walls that may lean or bulge, and damage to the top floors in the form of cracks around door frames, crown molding that separates from the ceiling, sticking doors and windows, and more.

• Improperly laid concrete causes unevenness in the foundation, which can eventually grow worse and introduce water through gaps in the floor - which, of course, leads to water damage inside your home.

• Soil conditions can also challenge your foundation’s strength. If you’ve already experienced the effects of poor construction, such as cracking walls and uneven flooring - your home may experience even more water in your home than in other regions, especially when we’ve had a significant drought like we did last summer in Kansas City. When the rains come after a period of drought, the dry soil can’t absorb all of the water quickly enough, and that precipitation ends up finding its way into your basement. This, in turn, leads to humidity issues, mold, mildew, and water damage.

RELATED: Crawlspace Solutions for Water Issues

In our many years of experience as the superior choice for home foundation repair in Kansas City, we’ve found that homeowners are more likely to notice the effects of insufficient building experience and unsatisfactory building materials after these issues have already caused damage to the home. Typically the first few years after a home is built, many homeowners view cracks or uneven floors as a settlement issue. These circumstances are much like a common cold - you don’t see the underlying cause, but you most certainly see their effects: the sneezing, headaches, and coughing.

Although initial poor decision-making by a home builder puts homeowners at risk, PierMagic’s concrete foundation repair team can help identify the signs of home foundation problems and recommend services from polyjacking to post and pier foundation solutions.

How Do I Know If My Home Has Foundation Problems Related to Inferior Construction?

Our local, experienced team for home foundation repair in Kansas City can point you in the right direction by walking you through the signs that inferior construction may be affecting your home. If you see any of the following signs, it is time to call PierMagic to get a free inspection and estimate on services that can strengthen and safeguard your home.

1. Cracks or unevenness in the basement flooring
   
   
2. Cracks in the basement walls
   
   
3. Water or excessive moisture in the basement
   
   
4. Smell of mold/mildew around the home
   
   
5. Bulging, leaning, tilting, or bowing walls
   
   
6. Sticking windows and doors on any floor of the home
   
   
7. Cracks around door frames on any floor of the home
   
   
8. Excess moisture, humidity, or mold growth in the basement

If you’re unsure whether you need home foundation repair, it is always best to have your foundation checked out by a specialist from PierMagic. Relying on the internet will give you too many answers, and you’ll end up being unsure of what’s normal and what’s not.

However, you can get real peace of mind from an objective and experienced team for concrete foundation repair, polyjacking, and more from the leading foundation repair technicians in Kansas City.

What Can PierMagic Do to Take Care of My Home Foundation Problems Related to Inferior Foundation Construction?

When we visit your home, we conduct a free, comprehensive inspection to evaluate your foundation’s condition and determine the best solution, designed specifically for your home.

We have several solutions available that can completely transform the faulty work done by the construction company that laid your foundation. With state-of-the-art technology and expertly trained technicians, we can reverse the damage done in the past and turn your home into the true investment it deserves to be.

These value-preserving solutions include:

1. Post and pier foundation repair: Using signature technology, we can strengthen your home with steel and high-strength concrete to repair the damage done by weaker materials in the past.
2. Polyjacking: To even your concrete floor, we insert polyurethane resin beneath your foundation to fix a slanted or cracked floor and raise it to its proper level.
3. Crack sealing: Our carefully applied epoxy can securely and safely fill any cracks in your concrete foundation, ensuring that no moisture can get in, and your foundation is strong and secure again. 
4. Dehumidification: PierMagic can locate the source of excess humidity in your basement and resolve it. Excess moisture in the soil can create additional condensation in your basement, but we can ensure your basement is completely waterproofed to protect you from these conditions.

These are just a few of the approaches we might take to right the wrongs done to your foundation in the first place. A locally owned company, PierMagic takes pride in delivering exceptional workmanship at an affordable price for homeowners in our Kansas City neighborhoods. We value the communities we live and work in and take extra pride in providing excellent service in this great area of the country we call home. 

Get in touch with PierMagic at (816) 765-4800, or contact us online for a free inspection and estimate on any of our services, including concrete foundation repair and much more.