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Sinking Stoop
Signs of Concrete FailureOften, portions of the brick facing of a home sit directly on the front stoop. As the stoop begins to settle, so does the brick facing. You may see a separation between the window framing and the brick facade.
Is your stoop sinking?
Sinking stoops don't just detract from the beauty of your home's exterior and curb appeal. They can also create dangerous trip hazards for those entering the home.
Common Signs
You might notice a sloping surface and telltale marking or residue on the façade of the home where the stoop was originally attached. If the stoop is sinking in the front, you may notice it pulling away from the house.
How did this happen?
Changes in soil moisture
Concrete is most often poured directly onto soil. It hardens and seems strong and permanent. However, the soil under the concrete can move over time due to changes in moisture. Different types of soils, especially clay, hold on to water and expands. When dry conditions occur, the soil contracts. This expanding and contracting creates empty spaces into which your concrete sidewalks, slabs, steps and patios settle, causing cracks.
Wash-out of soil
As water moves beneath your concrete slab, stairs, sidewalks or patio, it can wash away the soil that's supporting the weight of the concrete. This can be caused by plumbing leaks, erosion, heavy rains and many other reasons. Over time, with nothing left to support the concrete, it will begin to sink or cave in.
Poorly compacted fill soil
During the construction of a home, driveway, patio or sidewalk, soil is commonly moved around or spread out to get to the desired grade level. Often, the concrete slab is poured right on top of these fill soils that have been moved around. If the fill was poorly compacted, the fill soil compresses and settles, creating a void under the concrete. With nothing to support it, the concrete cracks, breaks and settles into the void.
Why fix your concrete problems now?
- Concrete problems only get worse over time. Hoping, praying and putting them out of your mind won’t reverse the symptoms and make the situation better.
- They only get worse, concrete problems will never be less expensive to fix than they are today.
- This is your home we’re talking about. It’s likely your single biggest investment. Do you really want to reduce its curb appeal and lower its value by letting your concrete deteriorate?
The Real Estate Seller Disclosure Act requires foundation repair needs to be disclosed to potential home buyers. Realtors tell us they are forced to discount homes with foundation structural defects 10-20% to make a sale. What is your home worth in today's market? Imagine losing that much money from your home's value by not permanently fixing your foundation!
Don't let problems like these rob you of your peace of mind.
Find a dealer near you to fix them, so you can breathe easy and sleep well tonight.