Home Foundations Shift in Extreme Heat

Most people think that the cold weather is the worst cause of foundation issues. Did you know the extreme temperatures of the heat can cause a lot of issues too? Beware. The heat wave of 2011, in Texas, caused home foundations to shift causing a lot of damage to homes throughout the T-state. The first signs of it were the cracks in their foundation, drywall, and on the exterior bricks of their home. Later, it moved to cracks in the tile on the walls and the tile flooring boasting speed bumps in the middle of the floor.

 Not fun!

Home foundations need to be inspected during this dry, hot season. However, before calling for an inspection, or even just a consultation, be on the lookout for interior doors that stick, cracks on the inside walls of the home, and gaps beside the windows. It is said that any issues with the foundations can lead to problems with the plumbing and roofing as well. It is best to be on alert as these issues can cost hundreds and thousands of dollars to repair. If they can be avoided it is the best.

Home foundations in Kansas City, are being seduced this year by the hot summer heat. Keep a lookout for the things described above that show signs of stress on your foundation or a shift in gravity and location. If there are issue with home foundations in Kansas City, we want to be available to answer any questions and get your foundation evaluated right away. If there is any question that your foundation is suffering from heat, then we want to get out to your home and get it evaluated. Remember, waiting causes more issues that can rack up a much larger expense.
For home foundations in Kansas City, we are your crew. We make local our focal point.

Check us out at cpsfoundationrepair.com.

How do you avoid a damp basement?

Avoiding a damp basement is the key to saving money. We all would rather buy Christmas gifts for our kids, rather than fork out $5,000-$10,000 on fixing our home foundation. Though it will have to be done at some point as a house ages, it is good to prolong that venture so that you can set money aside for that event and enjoy some down time. Do I have an Amen? Yes and Amen!
So, if avoiding a damp basement is the key to protecting our basement and foundation against rot, then what steps do we need to follow to avoid it? Great question, I thought you’d never ask!

1. Use a humidifier in your basement during humid seasons to keep your space dry and protect against condensation that can build up on concrete walls.
2. Inspect your clothes dryer vent and ventilation fans located in the kitchen and bathrooms to make sure they lead airflow directly to the outside of your home.
3. Speak to or consult with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system contractor to make sure your system is equipped and properly sized to remove humidity from your basement.
4. Open the door to your basement at least once a month and run an oscillating fan in the basement for between 1 and 2 hours to promote air circulation.
5. Place materials such as clothing, furniture, books, and paperwork in areas away from the basement walls or remove them from the basement completely to prevent increased humidity levels and mold growth.
6. Inspect your basement regularly for water leaks.
7. Hire or consult with a building contractor or plumber immediately to repair the foundation in your home or leaks that originate from other rooms of your house, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
8. Clean your rain gutters and downspout runoffs on a regular basis to prevent flooding and standing water in your basement.
9. Examine the outside perimeter of your house to make sure the ground slopes down and away from your foundation, which will prevent basement leaks and flooding.
10. Check your sump pump regularly if you have one to make sure it works properly and is not causing your basement to flood.
11. Hire a contractor who specializes in mold removal and water damage repairs if leaks have already caused mold growth in certain areas in your basement.

We are a Company, local to Kansas City, and we love to serve our community through educating them on how to avoid foundation issues with them home and what to watch for. We also take great pride in our work and would like to service our local community to keep them safe and dry. If there are any homes that have foundation cracks in Kansas City, please reach out to us and let us take a look at your foundation and give you a free estimate on what it will take to make repairs. Again, we are locals and we repair foundation cracks in Kansas City. So, if you have a home with foundation cracks in Kansas City, check us out online at cpsfoundationrepair.com and give us a call!

We all Fall Down

We all know that without a good foundation, a house will not stand the test of time. In fact, it could begin to crack inside and out, both in the foundation, walls, and ceiling. It could go so far as to eventually have the house cave in. A good foundation also very much depends on the type of soil that it is built upon and how well it can withstand the weather. A good example of this is the foolish man, in the Bible, who built his house upon the sand. The rain came down and the house came down as well. It has to be built upon the rock made of good soil.

How can we make sure that we have a good foundation? First, you need to educate yourself on what makes a good foundation and then interview a few companies to see who knows their stuff.
Kansas City home foundation issues can be determined and repaired by CPS Foundation Repair Company out of Overland Park, Ks. As a Company, we’d like to first share with you what we look for in building a good foundation and how we can apply our knowledge to make sure your home is set firm and unshakeable. If the original process isn’t done correctly, then it would have to be followed up by repairs.

Here are some tips we’ve put together for you of how to, from the beginning, make sure you are building a good foundation:
1. As mentioned above, soil is very important. In fact, it holds great importance. If your soil is not strong or able to hold weight, then there can be serious issues arise.
2. Next, you need to have your land surveyed. This way you know exactly where are the corners of your foundation will lie and how far out it can be positioned.
3. You will then have an excavation contractor start digging up the spot where the foundation will be laid.
4. Install the footings. Footings are created either by pouring concrete directly into the trenches in the ground or into the wooden forms.
5. Next, you need a high quality sealer to seal the footings and protect them from moisture. Seek advice on this from experienced home builders.
6. Once the concrete has cured, use concrete block to create the stem walls if you’re building a basement. Usually your masons will start with your block wall in the corner of the foundation. They do this with what are called “leads,” which give masons two endpoints from which to string a line — allowing them to build a plumb and level wall between the two points. The result is a straight and level wall that’s crucial to keeping all of the basement walls consistent.
7. Last, but not least, treat your foundation walls with another coat of sealant to keep the moisture out.

If you already own a finished home and you are beginning to see signs of needing foundation repairs, let us come out and take a look. We can give you a free estimate while providing you with the best service possible. We are experts at Kansas City home foundation issues and we want to make your Kansas City home foundation issues non-existent.

Check us out online at http://cpsfoundationrepair.com/  and give us a call, today!

WHAT AFFECTS THE PRICE OF FOUNDATION REPAIR?

Repairing a foundation can be a costly job, but the better educated you are about types of foundations and how best to repair your foundation, the better you can work with your contractor to find a solution you can afford.
With major foundation repairs involving hydraulic piers costing $10,000 or more, and minor cracks costing as low as $500, most homeowners will pay around $3,822 to repair foundation issues.
Here are a few things that can influence the cost of a foundation repair:

1. Soil

Foundations that have been built on expansive clay, compressible or improperly compacted fill soils, or have been poorly maintained can have serious damages as the foundation settles and moves. If you see foundation issues and don’t repair it right away it can quickly lead to irreparable damage and structural damages that are unsafe. Most of us never suspect soil could cause an issue, but the type of soil around and beneath your home definitely can have a great affect. It can greatly affect the price for foundation repairs.

2. Report

The price for foundation repairs depends on the issue that needs to be repaired. Thankfully, now days we can fix the foundation without having to take it all apart and redo it. The best way to know exactly what the real issue is would be to contact a structural engineer and ask them to obtain a report on what needs to be repaired. They will give you an unbiased report that is factual instead of a repairman trying to sell you something that may not benefit you.

3. Repairs

The price for foundation repairs depends on what types of repairs are needed. There are different types of repair work that can be done from piering and slabjacking to waterproofing. What you pay depends on what you get done.
Be aware of the issues, be aware of the prices, and mostly, be aware of the cost of not fixing a foundation problem. We feel to be educated in these issues is very important for home ownership or purchasing a home. Check us out at cpsfoundationrepair.com. We know foundations.

Tips to Prevent Basement Flooding

If there is one thing we all don’t want to see when we walk down into our basements, it’s water. Water in the basement means ruined furniture, flooring, walls, carpets, and rugs. It means a cut into our finances or an increase on the cost of our home owners insurance. Whatever way you look at it, it is not a good thing.


Being in the Midwest, KC has a lot of homes that have basements. The Midwest is known for its severe weather that during the spring can include flash flood warnings. That means a lot of water can build up very quickly. In order to avoid basement leaks in Kansas City, we need to look at some ways to protect our foundations against water leakage.

The foundation issues that can arise and cause this type of leakage can come from a variety of different issues. One example, could be clay soils which can become saturated with water. When this happens, the soil expands, pushing upward towards the foundation. As the soil dries, it contracts and the pressure is released. This hydrostatic pressure can cause foundation cracks, movement and even instability. Water can enter through these cracks, creating a wet basement.

Water can seep in from under the footer, located underneath the poured basement floor. Most basement construction leaves a space between the footer and the basement floor. When water comes into this area from poor exterior drainage or other issues, it can exert pressure on the foundation. This can cause foundation cracks and allow water to seep into the basement. Water may enter small cracks located between the footer and the wall atop it as well.

If you are looking to avoid basement leaks in Kansas City, then you’ve come to the right blog. We, at CPS Foundation Repair, are looking to educate KC on basement leaks in Kansas City. We believe educating can help avoid issues or let you know what to watch for so that you can call on our expertise in time of need. Continue to follow our blogs to learn what to watch for and what we do to fix those problems.

Tip of the day: The most important fact that we could share with you is to make sure that you always watch for cracks inside and outside of your home, even within the foundation, as it can be a source of foundation issues which lead to water leakage into your home.

Stop Water Foundation Issues

Control Water, Stop Kansas City Foundation Cracks

By MikeDement

 Posted June 25, 2014 

In Foundation Repair

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A cracked foundation is a serious problem that’s usually obvious to the naked eye. But did you know these serious problems can start from something as innocuous as a backed up gutter that you hadn’t noticed?

In fact, gutter problems are one of the biggest causes of foundation problems necessitating Kansas City foundation repair. The moisture level of the ground under your home needs to stay in balance, and in KC that means when it does rain, if the water is pooling in the wrong places, it can easily start the unleveling process that will eventually lead to foundation cracking. On the bright side, before you ever have a foundation crack, there are signs to watch for that may mean you need help.

1. Sticking Doors and Windows – These are an indication that that you might soon have foundation cracks and need repairs. The reason they stick is because the building is slightly higher on one side than the other. Often times sticking doors and windows will be accompanied by cracks in drywall. If the root problem, the foundation, is not fixed first, then repairing these cracks will prove a futile effort.

2. Water leaking into or puddling near your basement or crawlspace – While usually caused by a problem above ground (like faulty guttering), water pooling near your home will mean more shifting than is safe for your foundation. Usually such problems can be addressed fairly easily and inexpensively if you notice them. Make sure that the ground contours away from your home so as to direct the water away from your foundation, that your gutters are clear and that your downspouts are also directing water away from your home.

3. Only watering one part of your lawn or landscape – By only watering one part of a lawn or landscape feature you can unknowingly cause your own foundation to become unbalanced. During droughts be sure that you’re not putting too much water on only one part of your yard and not on the other. Remember, it’s about keeping the moisture level of the soil balanced.

Keep in mind too that voids under driveways, walkways and other concrete structures can cause puddling near your foundation and thus cause damage. It’s important that if you think you have a problem with water near your foundation to get it corrected as soon as possible. If you think you might have damage or aren’t sure, don’t hesitate to contact Commercial Piering Systems – we’ve got the pros and the experience to help you identify problems and correct them before they become more serious.

More Than Foundation

CPS installs egress windows increasing your homes value and safety

By MichaelPersaud

 Posted August 30, 2013 

In Egress Windows, Foundation Repair

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In Kansas City where basements are common, egress windows can save your family’s life in case of a fire. In fact, building codes now require egress windows in basements where there are living quarters.

An egress window is an easy-to-open window also serves as an emergency exit for below-ground living spaces.

Let’s be honest – during a fire, stairs could be blocked or damaged. To avoid such dangerous situations, the International Residential Code requires an egress window or the equivalent in all basements used partially or entirely as a living space.

Just as important, an egress window totally eliminates the “dungeon feeling” that many, if not most, basements have.
With egress windows, you can have fresh air in your basement, which improves your home’s overall ventilation.

These windows increase the value of your house by adding your basement as a living space when selling or refinancing.

Give CPS a call to get your egress window install done right.

Save Later Foundation

Spend Now and Save Later

By cpsf_admin

 Posted June 30, 2016 

In Foundation Repair

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Weather is a huge factor in causing our home’s foundation to shift. Whether it shifts up or down, it can cause a small issue to become a very large and expensive one, very fast. Hot weather can causes cracks to form in your foundation, whereas, cold weather can cause cracks to accelerate and become bigger cracks. Then, it snowballs. Damage causes more damage, causes more damage, and so on and so forth.

The soil also can contribute to the foundation moving around. For example, clay can expand or shrink depending on the weather. If your soil is clay beneath your home then your home’s foundation is going to be moving around during certain seasons. Expanding and then shrinking can take you and your home for an unwanted ride.

I’m not trying to be negative here. I want to be factual and equip you with information that will help you build a better home and also save you in the financial department. A foundation is important for the well-being of your home. Most homeowners do not even realize how their foundations are set up, what affects them and causes issues for them, and how much it costs to repair them. That’s where we come in and that is where this information is important.

Usually, if a repair is needed, as a human race, we tend to put things off so that we do not have to spend the money right away. We see how long we can wait before we have to squeeze the fixes into our budget. However, the whole point of writing about these issues in our blogs and educating each homeowner on what to look for is that we want to let you know how delaying spending money to make repairs will cost you more in the long run.

As a Kansas City based Company, we also want to be able to offer you affordable Kansas City foundation repair for those buildings and homes based here in Kansas City and encourage you to not delay on getting your foundation repaired. Whether you are needing an estimate or just an examination, we are the affordable Kansas City foundation repair Company. IF YOU SUPPORT LOCAL, WE SUPPORT YOU, so check out our affordable Kansas City foundation repair today!

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How do you know if you have a good contractor?

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD CONTRACTOR FOR YOUR FOUNDATION REPAIR

HOME / HELPFUL TIPS / HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD CONTRACTOR FOR YOUR FOUNDATION REPAIR

How to choose a good contractor for your foundation repair

When you need to decide on a foundation repair company there are several factors you should inquire about to be sure the company is able to deliver a great product. Choosing the wrong company can be very expensive.

The questions below will give you the necessary information to make a good decision on your contractor.

1. How are you and the employees of your company trained?Listen closely – is there a real ongoing training program going on. Are there tests given and are they certified?

2. How is pile/pier tested? Do they have ICC-ES (International Code Council – Evaluation Services)? Do they do pile load test for engineering firms?If they can’t meet these code requirements I would not use them.

3. How long have they been manufacturing their piles / piers?There should be a good history.

4. What is their failure rate and how often do they have to re-adjust a pile /pier?A good contractor should rarely have to repair or replace his materials.

5. Do their materials hold any patents?There answer should be yes and be able to prove with patent numbers.

6. How do they warranty their work and products?There should be a limited lifetime warranty that is transferable.

TIPS TO AVOID FOUNDATION PROBLEMS FROM YOUR FOUNDATION EXPERTS

It is very important that the area around your house has proper drainage away from the foundation. Ground water should never be allowed to pool next to the house. Water that pools against the house can get down below the foundation and cause shifting to take place.

1. Annually inspect the ground at lease 5 feet from the house immediately after a rainstorm.
2. If there is pooling of water, take measures to slope the ground away from the house.
3. Downspouts should be sloped away from the house and the water should be dispersed 3-4 feet away.

By keeping water away from the foundation of your house you will reduce the risk of shifting that causes foundation problems.

A+ Approved Foundation Repair Experts BBB Certified

What does CPS’s “A” ranking from the BBB mean for you?

By MichaelPersaud

 Posted April 16, 2013

In Industry Information

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CPS Foundation Repair has an “A” ranking by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This means we are trusted to deliver quality services with quality materials. 

Below are the areas which are measured by the (BBB) and used to come up with a rating:

1. Type of Business
2. Time in Business
3. Competency Licensing
4. Complaint Volume
5. Unanswered Complaints
6. Unresolved Complaints
7. Serious Complaints
8. Complaint Analysis
9. Complaint Resolution Delayed
10. Failure to Address Complaint Pattern
11. Government Action
12. Advertising Review
13. Background Information
14. Clear understanding of business
15. Mediation/arbitration
16. Revocation

Below is an explanation of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) from Wikipedia.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB), founded in 1912, is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust, consisting of 113 independently incorporated local BBB organizations in the United States and Canada, coordinated under the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) in Washington, D.C. In 2012, the BBB celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The BBB collects and provides free business reliability reviews on more than 4 million businesses to over 100 million requests from consumers in 2012, helping make the BBB’s website rank among the top 500 most-visited websites in the United States. The BBB serves as an intermediary between consumers and businesses, handling nearly 1 million consumer disputes against businesses in 2012. The BBB also alerts the public to scams, reviews advertising, and assists when donating to charity.

Nearly 400,000 local businesses in North America support the BBB. The BBB invites successfully vetted businesses to become dues-paying Accredited Businesses that pledge and continue to adhere to the BBB Code of Business Practices. In return, the BBB allows Accredited Businesses to use its logo and dispute resolution services.

Although it has “bureau” in its name, the Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with any governmental agency. Businesses that affiliate with the BBB and adhere to its standards do so through industry self-regulation. To avoid bias, the BBB’s policy is to refrain from recommending or endorsing any specific business, product or service.

Finding the Perfect Fit

We all know that a key fits in a lock and a foot fits in a shoe, but do you know what you are looking for in a foundation repair Company? Let us help you. As a Kansas City foundation repair Company, we know what to look for. Below is a list of questions that you need to ask yourself and make sure that you have the answers to. Companies need to be held accountable and as a legit Company, we want what’s best for you and your home.

The BBB (Better Business Bureau) recommends asking yourself the following questions:

1. How long has the Kansas City foundation repair Company been in business?
2. What method of foundation repair are you comfortable with and what Company specializes in that? You may need to do some research on the first question in order to answer this second question.
3. Is the business location clean and organized? This shows their work ethic, how they will be on the job. May want to pay them a visit.
4. Is a city permit required for the area you live in?
5. Does the Kansas City foundation repair Company have workman’s compensation and liability insurance? If so, have them mail you a copy of their certificate of insurance to your home.
6. Will the employees of the Company be at your home or temporary contracted laborers?
7. Will there be a supervisor or project manager overseeing the project?
8. Is the Company willing to give you referrals? Then, check with the references to see what their experiences with the Company was like.

Word to the wise, be sure you understand the terms of payment and the warranty before you sign. Never take it for granted that a Company looks legit. Looks can also be deceiving. I hope these will help you out in your future endeavors. May the Kansas City foundation repair Company, you choose, serve you well and may your foundation stand strong in 2016!

How to Avoid Home Foundation Issues

Like most people you probably don’t think about your home foundation until you’ve experience cracks or leaks.  When cracks and leaks show up, you’ve already ignored problems that can be costly and serious.  CPS Foundation Repair we wanted to provide you 4 mistakes that can cause home foundation frustrations if unresolved.

1. Water Woes – always avoid letting the soil around your house completely dry out and shrink during a long dry season.  When you are in Missouri/Kansas area the soil is clay and majority of times during your next big rain it soaks the soil and makes it expand dramatically and causes stress on your home foundation walls.  Our suggestion is to soak the soil around your house at least 6 inches from your home foundation and 3 inches under the soil during dry season.
2. Root Riots – keep in mind your trees and shrub roots can complete with your soil for moisture during dry seasons.  This will cause your home foundation to settle and sink unevenly.  If that happens your drywall can crack and windows/doors will stick in frames.  Here is what we recommend:  plant deep-rooted trees and shrubs away from your home foundation.  If the branches touch your house, than it is way too close.
3. Grading Gaffes – most the time poor soil excavation can direct water toward the base of you home foundation walls.  If you like to prevent this from happening, you can ensure your yard is graded at least 6 inches in 10 feet so soil slopes away from your home.  You may need to build up a berm, dig trench, or install a French drain to funnel rainwater and runoff away from your home.
4. Downspout Downer – remember downspouts should direct rain and roof runoff away from your home.  If it is not extended 5 – 10 feet away from the house, you’ll dump water on your home foundation.  Easily resolve this issue by buying extenders at your local hardware store or bury a long downspout diverted underground and drain the water to the curb, storm drain, or a spot in your yard where water will will go into the soil.

How to Avoid Home Foundation Issues

Like most people you probably don’t think about your home foundation until you’ve experience cracks or leaks.  When cracks and leaks show up, you’ve already ignored problems that can be costly and serious.  CPS Foundation Repair we wanted to provide you 4 mistakes that can cause home foundation frustrations if unresolved.

1. Water Woes – always avoid letting the soil around your house completely dry out and shrink during a long dry season.  When you are in Missouri/Kansas area the soil is clay and majority of times during your next big rain it soaks the soil and makes it expand dramatically and causes stress on your home foundation walls.  Our suggestion is to soak the soil around your house at least 6 inches from your home foundation and 3 inches under the soil during dry season.
2. Root Riots – keep in mind your trees and shrub roots can complete with your soil for moisture during dry seasons.  This will cause your home foundation to settle and sink unevenly.  If that happens your drywall can crack and windows/doors will stick in frames.  Here is what we recommend:  plant deep-rooted trees and shrubs away from your home foundation.  If the branches touch your house, than it is way too close.
3. Grading Gaffes – most the time poor soil excavation can direct water toward the base of you home foundation walls.  If you like to prevent this from happening, you can ensure your yard is graded at least 6 inches in 10 feet so soil slopes away from your home.  You may need to build up a berm, dig trench, or install a French drain to funnel rainwater and runoff away from your home.
4. Downspout Downer – remember downspouts should direct rain and roof runoff away from your home.  If it is not extended 5 – 10 feet away from the house, you’ll dump water on your home foundation.  Easily resolve this issue by buying extenders at your local hardware store or bury a long downspout diverted underground and drain the water to the curb, storm drain, or a spot in your yard where water will will go into the soil.

Cost for Foundation Repair?

  “What is the cost for foundation repair?” – Seems like the most common question from our customers.

Now that’s a very tricky question!  Keep in mind every case is different therefore cost associated with foundation repair can be different.  As Kansas City‘s foundation repair experts we understand you want the money you spend put to the best used.  Therefore we always recommend homeowners to request for estimates from multiple companies.

When looking at multiple estimate and trying to determine foundation repair cost, keep these following question in mind: 

• How long have the company been in business?  Keep in mind the warranty provided is as good as the longevity of the company
• What kind of piling is going to be installed?
• Did the company do a complete home evaluation with measurement devices?
• Was evaluation done by a certified engineer?
• Did they address any interior movement?
• What is the total cost?  Ensure they include any additional after project begins.

Is very hard to say how much foundation repair cost but at CPS Foundation Repair we do our best to ensure we get our customers back on a firm foundation.

Why do Foundation Fail?

Reason why foundation fail – from your Kansas City foundation repair experts.

• Nonporous back fill.   Especially in the Kansas City area the soil here is loaded with clay or organic matter which hold water like a sponge.  This definitely increase the risk of foundation fail thus cracks when the soil freezes and expands.
• Insufficient compacting. A lot of times contractors today rush and slab is poured over crushed stone that hasn’t been firmly tamped.  This will often cause settling and cracking which are all signs of foundation fail.
• Rushing the cure. Keep in mind concrete must cure slowly to reach proper strength. Keep it damp for at least three days by wrapping it in plastic, misting with water, and other techniques.
• Interrupting the pour. A concrete form should always be filled in one go.  If you stop and come back the next day to finish the work than there will be a “cold joint” between the fresh concrete and yesterday’s work.   This will most like cause leaks and cracks.

This is just a few reasons why foundation fail today.  If you are experiencing problems with your foundation we highly recommend a professional to come out and give you sound advise.  Never leave foundation issues alone because it could get costly.

www.cpsfoundationrepair.com

4 Signs for Foundation Repair

Knowing early warning signs that you may have foundation issues can save you tens of thousands! Identifying potential problems early means easier to fix and less expensive.

Here’s 4 basic indoor signs to watch for brought to you by KC’s foundation repair experts here at CPS.

• A door begins to jam or fails to latch
• Cracks open in vinyl/ceramic tile over a concrete floor
• Windows that used to open and close with ease now stick or refuses to close completely
• Cracks appear in walls, over doorways, windows, or where walls meet ceilings

Keep in mind houses settle over a period of time so a little unevenness is no panic but be alert because these signs can lead to more dramatic changes that can be costly.

www.cpsfoundationrepair.com