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.

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.

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