The structural integrity of your home rests – literally – on the stability of its foundation. That makes foundation trouble serious business. Unfortunately, foundation repair in Kansas City isn’t cheap. In some cases, repairing a foundation can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and your insurance probably won’t cover the repair cost unless a natural disaster causes the problem. To make sure that your foundation stays stable, contact our Kansas City foundation inspection company.
Catch Foundation Problems Early, Spend Less on Repairs
Fortunately, foundation problems still in their early stages are less expensive to repair. That means you can save money by proactively scheduling routine foundation inspections and foundation repair estimates with our Kansas City contractors. That will help you spot foundation issues early before they turn into big problems that will cost you a lot of money to fix.
What is a Foundation Inspection?
A home foundation inspection is when an experienced, licensed foundation repair contractor inspects your home’s foundation to make sure it’s structurally sound. When you hire KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair, our team of experts will look inside and outside your home for signs of foundation issues.
When Do You Need A Foundation Inspection?
You need to have your home’s foundation inspected if you’ve spotted:
- Wall cracks. These could be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
- Stair step cracks in brick or masonry
- Floor cracks, especially wall-to-wall floor cracks
- Bowed basement wall
- Wet basement
- Problems with doors and windows
- Sloped floor
- Gaps between the crown molding or baseboard and the wall
- Gaps between the walls and the floor or ceiling
- Torn or wrinkled wallpaper
- Rotated walls
- A chimney or porch that’s pulling away from the house
You also need a foundation inspection after an earthquake, a flood, or other natural disasters. A foundation inspection is also necessary if you’re buying or selling a home. If you’re buying a home, you’ll know if any repairs are necessary, and you’ll be able to figure that amount into your offer. If you’re selling a home, a foundation inspection could show the buyer that the home is sound.
Two Types of Foundation Inspections
We provide two distinct foundation inspection options tailored to the level of insight you need about your foundation’s condition. If you’re noticing clear signs of foundation problems, our complimentary foundation inspection is likely the best fit. However, if you’re unsure about potential issues and prefer a comprehensive assessment of your foundation’s health, our Benchmark Foundation Inspection is the ideal choice. Below, we’ve detailed the key differences between these two inspection services.
Document the Health of Your Home’s Foundation With a KC Waterproofing Benchmark Report
A KC Waterproofing Benchmark Report is an in-depth, detailed foundation inspection that allows you to document the health of your home’s foundation at the time of inspection. A KC Waterproofing Benchmark Report allows you to compare the results of future foundation inspections to the Benchmark Report to know if your home is experiencing settlement and how much.
You Will Save Money on Repair Costs Because Our Benchmark Report Helps You Catch Foundation Problems Early
A Benchmark Report allows the proactive homeowner to monitor what’s happening with their foundation and, if necessary, take steps to prevent minor foundation issues from turning into big problems that are expensive to repair. Our foundation inspection company in Kansas City across KS and MO recommends a Benchmark Report for all new homeowners because it allows you to take a “snapshot” of your foundation’s health. You’ll know exactly where things stand at the time of the report.
What’s included in a Benchmark Report?
Our foundation Benchmark Report includes:
- A topographical map of your home (See the images below)
- A floor elevation survey (We include wall measurements as well for an extra fee.)
- Photos
- A post-inspection report, along with any repair recommendations and estimates, if necessary
- Discount on future repairs with KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair
- Priority service for all Benchmark Report customers
A KC Waterproofing Benchmark Report foundation inspection typically takes 2-3 hours depending on the size of the home and will vary somewhat depending on the type of foundation. Below are screenshots from an actual Benchmark Report. Here’s a breakdown: We completed the first Benchmark Report for this customer on November 12, 2020, using 21 data points to document foundation settlement. The red areas indicate more severe settlement.
On November 12, 2020, we found 3.3 inches of settlement in the area located in the upper left on the topographical map (Survey 1). When we went back to the property over a year later, on December 28, 2021 (Survey 2), we found that the ground in that area had lifted (possibly due to increased rainfall), and now there was only 2.70 inches of settlement.
The purple map indicates the difference between the data points on 11/12/20 and those taken a little over a year later on 12/28/21 . A Benchmark Report enables homeowners to monitor what’s happening and to spot seasonal changes with their foundation. This helps them make the right decision on when to repair and what to repair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, KC Waterproofing’s initial foundation inspections are free of charge. We believe customers should fully understand their foundation problems, as well as the associated repair costs, before making a decision. Therefore, during an initial inspection, we assess the damage to your foundation, identify the underlying cause of any foundation problems, and devise a suitable, warranty-backed repair plan to help protect your foundation for the long term.
Some prominent signs that you need a foundation inspection are wall or floor cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, bowing walls, or a leaning chimney. You should also schedule a foundation inspection if you notice mold or water damage in your basement or crawl space.
A professional foundation recommendation is recommended only when you notice signs of damage or poor foundation health. A good rule of thumb is to have your foundation inspected every two to three years.
A foundation inspection can take an hour or two, depending on the size and layout of your foundation and the issues your foundation expert finds. If your foundation has severe issues, it may take a foundation technician longer to discover and explain the extent of the problem.
No, a foundation inspection is not always necessary when buying or selling a home, but it’s good practice. Buyers can identify potential issues in the home’s foundation through an inspection, while sellers can use the foundation inspection report to defend their home’s structural integrity and negotiate a better deal.
No, foundation inspections are completely non-invasive. A foundation expert knows how to easily access your foundation and where to look for potential problems. They may need access to your crawl space or basement, but an inspection will not require any excavation or invasive processes.
