Expert Foundation Repair Services In Sarasota, FL

Sarasota is known for its warm weather and beachfront properties that make the city an attractive place to live, but Sarasota properties are not free from obstacles. The natural abundance of stormy weather in the coastal town situated on the Gulf of Mexico can cause foundation movement.

Sarasota beachfront properties and flood-prone areas of Sarasota are at significant risk of foundation movement. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding are expected. The abundant ground moisture can shift the soils under your foundation, contributing to foundation movement and damage.

While Sarasota is less susceptible to sinkholes than areas like Tampa, the foundation can move due to rain, soil conditions, and other natural occurrences.

Foundation problems are typically attributed to the soil that the foundation rests on. Soil is a necessary component of the foundation’s structural integrity, but the various types of soil combined with external factors can make soil movement challenging to predict. Weather and other natural occurrences can result in problems that may require foundation repair in Sarasota.

Storms, Hurricanes, and Heavy Rainfall

Moisture in the ground after a storm, flood, or heavy rainfall can contribute to foundation movement. Wet soil can expand and move, removing support from the foundation or applying pressure to the concrete.

Florida’s above-average rainfall makes moisture-related damage a common reason homeowners call us for foundation repair in Sarasota. Pipe leaks under the foundation can also contribute to moisture-related foundation movement.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes are caused by water rushing through underground streams, carving out soft bedrock over many years and leaving voids that can be massive. The voids weaken soil on the surface and eventually collapse, resulting in a sinkhole.

There is a large amount of a soft rock that is especially susceptible to sinkholes, called limestone, in Florida.

While sinkholes are not as common in Sarasota as other parts of Florida, sinkholes in Sarasota are occasionally reported to the DEP and remain a moderate risk to Sarasota foundations.

Substandard Foundation

Poorly built or unmaintained foundations are susceptible to damage from the start. Substandard foundations are more likely to face difficulties when soils shift and invite risk if you do not remediate the problem.

One complicated foundation issue is a differential settlement. When you place the foundation on a compromised settlement, the foundation can tilt out of plumb. The foundation may be visibly unlevel and cracked on one side. Differential settlement may be caused by overloading the settlement or poorly compacting the soil before laying the foundation.

While substandard or unmaintained foundations are not a problem unique to Sarasota, the composition of the soil and risk of erosion from storms can exacerbate the risk. We can help homeowners in Sarasota determine if the foundation is level and well maintained.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can result in several types of foundational damage. Tree roots are constantly searching for moisture. They can breach plumbing lines causing leaks that can pool, altering the soils below the foundation. Roots can also exploit voids in the foundation, resulting in cracked foundations.

The roots can also remove large volumes of moisture from the soil, causing the earth to contract and shift. The soil movement can cause damaging foundation movement.

Invasive tree roots are a common foundation problem we resolve in Sarasota, especially give the massive palm trees common in the area.

A variety of factors causes foundation damage. What are the signs of foundation damage, and when should you call us for professional foundation repair in Sarasota? Here are some of the common symptoms we recommend looking for.

Cracks in the Foundation

Cracks in the foundation are often indicators that the foundation is experiencing some movement. Cracks can appear in the surface of your slab, the outside of your slab, on concrete staircases, in plaster walls or columns, and even in the chimney.

In an older home, small cracks are common and usually negligible. If the gap is less than 1/8 inch, it will typically not require intervention. We recommend monitoring the damage and noting any changes before calling us for foundation repair in Sarasota.

Mold and Mildew

Florida has the highest humidity levels in the nation. The combination of humid air from the Gulf of Mexico and rainy weather make Sarasota a humid city.

We expect mildew and mold in homes in the area, but sudden growth can indicate that the foundation is damaged. A plumbing leak beneath the foundation or leaky slab means the foundation may not be keeping the ground moisture from entering your home.

If you do not see mold or smell mildew in your home, other signs that excess moisture enters the foundation include pests like roaches, centipedes, or silverfish that thrive in damp environments. A sewage smell would indicate a sewer line leaking beneath the foundation.

Misaligned or Sagging Doors and Windows

If your windows and doors suddenly stick or won’t close properly, foundation movement may have caused it. Doors and windows can be misaligned, so they no longer fit snuggly in their frames after foundation movement.

A door or window getting stuck doesn’t always mean foundation movement. Sometimes a high humidity or loose hinge can result in misalignment. If the humidity is not higher than usual, check the hinges for any loose screws or damage. If this doesn’t solve the problem, we can inspect your foundation for movement or damage.

If you notice signs of foundation damage, don’t panic. While foundation damage can be severe, we provide common foundation repairs in Sarasota to homeowners every day. Our experienced structural engineers mitigate damage and ensure a complete solution.

Before calling our structural engineers to inspect your home, we recommend taking some notes. Measure any cracks to see if they are over 1/8 inch in width, and take note of the date you first noticed the crack along with any growth. Also, note any typical foundation damage like water pooling in your yard from a leak, sagging doors, and mold growth.

When the signs seem to point toward foundation damage, you are a call away from our professional inspection and remediation of foundation damage. Any notes you take will help us assess the damage, but it is critical that you call our experts rather than attempt to fix the damage on your own. Our structural engineers will provide a solution that prevents further damage to the foundation and your home.

Basement foundation repairs in Sarasota can be costly, but investing in repairs is worth the cost. A professional foundation repair from our team provides a safe solution that will give you peace of mind. No longer spend sleepless nights wondering if those bowing walls in the basement are going to give out.

Minor foundation repairs like cracks can be as little as $150 to remediate, but extensive repairs like a sinking foundation can be $10,000 or more. It is critical to have your foundation repaired to mitigate damages before serious issues arise, and the repair becomes more expensive.

Even if the repair seems like a large sum of money, neglecting foundation repairs can result in more significant expenses. In some cases, the property may be unsafe for occupancy, requiring considerable repair before it becomes inhabitable again.

The soil and rock beneath the ground in Sarasota have a considerable impact on your foundation. The subterranean rock below Florida is mostly soft limestone, a rock susceptible to water-carved fissions and voids, resulting in sinkholes. The soil typically ranges from fine sand to loamy clays that don’t hold a great deal of moisture and can runoff during storms.

Myakka fine sand is one of the most common soils in Florida and is the state soil found in floodplains, forests, and tidal pools. Unfortunately, Myakka does not drain water well, leading to erosion, flooding, and runoff in the presence of water.

The fine soil’s inability to drain can cause problems for your foundation during floods, heavy rain, tropical storms, and hurricanes. The ground can be pushed down slopes, moving the foundation with it. It also holds more moisture after a storm than better draining soils. The soil can increase hydrostatic pressure on the foundation when saturated, damaging the concrete.