 Boston
is the largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest
cities in the United States. As the city ages, the homes get
older. Older homes are charming, but need updating and
maintenance. If you own an older home, regular maintenance will
prevent costly foundation repairs in the future. If you are
thinking about purchasing one, inspect the home carefully for
foundation damage before you decide to buy it. There is
absolutely no perfect home. Every home has some kind of issue,
but noticing the big issues will save you time and money. If you
have a home
that suffers from foundation failure, then our team of
professionals will assess the damages. At
Atlas Systems of New England, we offer piering and underpinning repair solutions to fix your foundation. We are your
foundation repair team in Boston.
Foundation issues in older homes can be well hidden. Major
damages usually do not appear until the damage gets worse. This
means that the homeowner will end up spending thousands of
dollars on repairs. However, there are clues to help you
identify underlying problems. You need to know where to look so
you can detect the problem and fix it early.
Causes of Foundation Failure in Boston
 Look for signs of
foundation failure:
Cracks in the foundation
Living in Boston, you're most likely to discover foundation
cracks in older homes. Homes with poor soil conditions, improper
drainage, plumbing leaks, insufficient materials, and poor
building site preparation usually lead to foundation cracks.
There are several types of foundations that include basements,
crawl spaces and partial basements. Some homes contain concrete
slab or posts that are installed into concrete footings.
Whatever type of foundation you have, make sure you inspect the
interior and exterior of your home for cracks.
- On the outside of your home, look for cracks in the
concrete and brick.
- In the basement, inspect the walls for leaks and
water seepage. Also check the wall base.
- Look for vertical or stair-step cracks in the brick
or concrete.
- If you notice horizontal cracks or cracks with a
pattern, this could be a sign your foundation is
unable to bear the weight of your home.
Sloping floors
Older homes will eventually get sloping floors. This foundation
problem makes
the home hard to resale because it is a clear indicator that the home's structure is weak. Are there
ridges under the carpet or humps under the doorway? These
signs indicate
floor or slab cracks.
Misaligned doors and windows
Doors and windows that don't properly shut or open are signs that
the house is settling. Cracked foundations may also cause
gaps in the doors and windows.
Mold and mildew on the walls
Signs of mold and mildew are caused by excess moisture. If
you encounter a musty odor, this could indicate mold damage.
Inspect the wall and ceiling for water stains and puddles.
If you own an older home or decide to buy an old home, look
for these
signs of foundation failure. Identifying these signs early
will save you
time and money. At Atlas Systems, we can help you find out
why you have
foundation failure and fix it immediately.
How Our Piering and Underpinning Solutions Fix Foundations
throughout the
Boston Area
 At Atlas Systems, we use piering and underpinning to repair
your foundation in Boston. Each repair solution offers benefits
for repairing your
sinking foundation.
Resistance Piers
If you notice a wall crack, we offer
resistance piers made of
steel. Wall cracks are true indicators that your foundation is
settling or sinking. We can install piers inside or outside to
repair foundation cracks. Our piers are L shaped brackets that
are fastened to the underside of the wall. A steel pipe is
pushed into the ground and driven until the desired load is
achieved. Then the structure is lifted.
Resistance piers requires little to no disturbance to the
work site. They are field tested after the installation process
to ensure all standards are met.
Helical Piers
Our helical piers offers great foundation support for existing
structures
or new construction in Boston, MA. They are used as footers to
support
foundation walls. They contain a large screw that is placed into
the
ground by using a hydraulic motor on a skid steer. By using
helical
piers, the installation process is fast and easy. It can be
applicable
for any soil condition.
At Atlas Systems, we can inspect your foundation and determine
the best
foundation repair solution for your Boston, MA home. If you need
helical
piers or resistance piers, then contact our team of
professionals for all
of your foundation repairs.
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