FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Your Foundation
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover the cost of foundation repair?
Your foundation is covered by homeowners insurance like any other part of your home. Unlike other parts of your home however, many causes of foundation damage are explicitly excluded from standard policies.
How do I know if I need a foundation crack repair?
Most basement wall cracks are shrinkage cracks that leak water and allow in soil gasses. From a structural standpoint, they are relatively harmless. In contrast, signs that a wall crack may be structural is when it is greater than or equal to 1/8″ wide, diagonal, horizontal, jagged or stair-stepped. These type of cracks typically form as a result of continued movement and the resulting stress around the foundation (i.e. settlement, soil pressure, freeze/thaw cycles).
Can I delay repairing my house’s vertical foundation cracks?
Vertical cracks seldom indicate structural damage, meaning the integrity of your foundation is likely still intact. However, they can still allow water to seep into your basement or crawlspace. Luckily, these cracks are the easiest and least expensive to seal.
Will foundation repair destroy my landscaping?
We fill cracks from the inside so your landscaping will not be destroyed.
Should I remodel my home or do foundation repairs first?
Cracks can grow and worsen over time, compounding your problems and making them costly to fix. Left unattended, cracks will also let in moisture to your basement. Moisture creates the perfect conditions for mold. Water damage is another possibility. Therefore, we recommend repairing cracks first.
How can I tell if my foundation is healthy or not?
When it comes to foundation issues, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Left unchecked, an unstable foundation only becomes more expensive and difficult to fix over time. If your home exhibits any of these signs of foundation problems, it may be best to call a professional to put your mind – and potentially your wallet – at ease.
Do you have any tips for maintaining my foundation?
Once you fix the cracks, you can protect your foundation from future cracks by clearing clogged gutters and using downspouts that extend 10ft. away from the foundation walls. Strategic landscaping can also help if your house is located on a hill.
How much does foundation repair cost?
Estimates can be given over the phone and are generally based on a per foot charge. In some cases, it is in our customers’ best interest to have a Crack Specialists representative come and provide a detailed estimate.
What foundation repair methods does Crack Master Chicago use?
It is commonly referred to as a polyurethane foam injection. When the main concern is water leakage and not structural, polyurethane is a superior solution as it expands to fill cracks completely.
How much time does it take to repair a crack?
An injectable repair can take approximately three - four hours to complete.
Why has it never leaked before but is leaking now?
Many factors may trigger a crack and subsequent water leakage. Some obvious conditions include a large rainfall in a short period of time, a fast spring thaw, water trapped on top of frost and landscaping changes that impede or block drainage.
I can’t find the leak in my finished basement. What do I do now?
Initially, we conduct a physical inspection to locate the source of the water in a finished basement. With our level of experience, we can almost always locate the source without removing any drywall. Once drywall gets wet repeatedly, it is likely mold will grow and cause a bigger problem
If you cut the drywall down to repair the crack, will you put it up again?
We stay focused on the foundation repair aspect of our business, but will happily provide you with a referral to a qualified contractor who can help you refinish your basement.
Can you fix previously repaired cracks?
Absolutely! In fact, close to half of our service calls are to repair cracks that have been previously ‘fixed’ by homeowners and/or a handyman. Some leaking cracks have been repaired many years ago while some are more recent. Since it’s a more labor intensive process, it usually takes slightly longer to repair these cracks.
Servicing communities in Lake County, Cook County, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas including: Antioch, Bannockburn, Barrington, Barrington Hills, Barrington Lakes, Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deer park, Deerfield, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Hainesville, Hawthorn Woods, Highland Park, Highwood, Indian Creek, Island Lake, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake, Villa, Lake Zurich, Lakemoor, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lindenhurst, Long Grove, Metta, Mundelein, North Chicago, North Barrington, Port Barrington, Riverwoods, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Third Lake, Tower Lakes, Vernon Hills, Volo, Wadsworth, Wauconda, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park, Johnsburg, Spring Grove, McHenry, Bull Valley, Crystal lake, Cary, Carpentersville, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Bartlett, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village, Medinah, Roselle, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Wood Dale, Addison, Franklin Park, Des Plaines, Norridge, Villa Park, Lombard, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont, Hinsdale, Woodridge, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Bolingbrook, Aurora, North Aurora, Norwood park, Jefferson Park, Park Ridge, Morton Grove, Niles, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Highwood, Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha, Racine, Bristol, Trevor, Paddock Lake, Salem, Liberty Corners, Cap lake, Silver Lake, and Wilmot.
GALLERY
