foundation failure causes
June 8, 2021

Foundation damage is a common problem for property owners to deal with. We talk about the signs and symptoms that your foundation has been damaged here.

Foundation damage never improves itself, and usually just gets worse. So it’s important to make the necessary repairs in order to maintain your property in a safe, usable condition.

Why Your Foundation Matters

Your foundation is the base of your entire property and keeps it from sinking into the ground. But extreme weather and soil conditions can cause the soil underneath your foundation to expand and shrink. Over time, these continued pressures can create weak pockets beneath your foundation, which can cause it to break down.

One kind of foundation damage is slab settlement, which may result in foundation cracks. Your entire structure may sink, especially when the weight of your property increases.

What Causes Your Homes Foundation to Settle?

  • Evaporation: Hot, dry conditions may cause the soil to pull away from the foundation.
  • Settlement: Dry soil could cause cracks to appear throughout the structure.
  • Trees and Vegetation: When roots, trees, and other vegetation decay and dehydrate, the soil beneath a structure could shrink.
  • Plumbing Leaks: Water from leaky plumbing can displace the surrounding soil and create more voids, which can cause the foundation to crack or settle.
  • Improper Drainage: If excess moisture is allowed to build up, it can erode or consolidate soils, which may cause the heaving of expansive soils.
  • Poor Soil Compaction: When the foundation is built, the soil must be compacted to help keep the foundation steady. If there are still air pockets in the soil after the compaction job, the foundation may not be sufficiently supported to hold the weight of your property.

What’s the Best Way to Fix Your Foundation?

There are many options out there to stabilize your foundation, so how do you know which one to choose?

The best solution for your situation will depend on several factors, including the location of the problem and the extent of the damage.

A Preferred Solution for Foundation Settlement: KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Push Piers

The KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Push Pier system use patented steel piers that are hydraulically driven through patented steel brackets. This process bonds your foundation to solid, load-bearing soil or bedrock layer, providing a permanent solution that prevents further foundation settlement.

5 Advantages of Using Push Piers for Foundation Repair and Stabilization

  • Patented steel piers and brackets: a unique, tested design that has been proven to perform under precise engineering standards.
  • Unlimited structure lifting capabilities: can be used on properties of all sizes.
  • Year-round installation: the project can be completed in days, not weeks, at your convenience.
  • Quiet, vibration-free, portable installation equipment: avoid heavy equipment that can disrupt your property landscape and features.
  • 25-Year Warranty: the manufacturer is confident in, and stands behind, their product.

Contact us today to keep your home strong, safe, and stable.

Keeping families in Northland, Missouri in dry and strong homes with our professional Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair. Proud to service cities like North Kansas City, Gladstone, Liberty, Kearney, St. Joseph, and more!

Get Your Free Guide

15 Preventative Maintenance Tips For Your Foundation

This Preventative Maintenance Guide shows you the top 15 causes of foundation problems. Download now to protect your home, add value, and prevent damage to your home’s foundation.

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Satisfied Customer Reviews

KC Waterproofing did a great job installing a new sump pump and other water mitigation items. Friendly crew, arrived each day as planned and finished in just 2.5 days!
A sump pump was installed very quickly.
Gerry and Davan were excellent. They protected the house and basement from extra dust and just going in and out to get the tools.
Digging up the yard to install the pipe...they replaced the sod and cleared the extra yard waste. Also they were very friendly with our dog.
Mario was great. Very upfront about any issues and possibilities to move forward. Would call again. Thanks!
Very happy with the work KC Waterproofing did for us. Jessie and Melvin were very efficient, courteous, and happy to answer any questions we had. The repair was very thorough and we feel relieved this will address the foundation issues we had.
Mario was my tech. Thorough and answered all questions without hesitation.
Mario was super friendly and professional. The job was done quickly. We are very happy with the work and have peace of mind with the warranty provided.
We recently had foundation repairs with multiple piers and poly-fill. Not only were they professional on-site, but one of the employees even noticed a package sitting outside starting to get rained on so they placed it in my mudroom. They kept me informed through the process and ensured I understood each repair prior to commencing.
Mario is the best guy they have. Thank you for hearing my concerns and addressing the issue. Appreciate your professionalism.
Great crew (Schylur and Marvin). Very customer focused.
KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair did an excellent job on my sump pump installation and crack repairs. Gary and Davan were not only skilled but genuinely thoughtful throughout the process. We had a bit of miscommunication early on, and instead of brushing it off, they listened carefully, acknowledged what happened, and adjusted their plan so everything aligned with what I needed.

They brought me in at every step—showing me options for the pump location, explaining the exit pipe decisions, and making sure I felt confident about the work being done. Their friendliness and respect made a stressful home repair feel manageable.

I’m grateful for their care and would absolutely recommend them.