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Do Those Cracks in the Basement Indicate Trouble? Southwest Marietta, GA

Atlanta GA Basement Wall Repair ContractorsIf you have been out house hunting in hopes of purchasing a new home, you may have already gotten used to scrutinizing details, and that is a good thing. Buying a home is most likely going to be the largest purchase you make in your lifetime, so it is important to take your time, learn to be picky, and not settle. Whether you are purchasing a brand new build or an older home, there are certain “red flags” to look for such as water damage and structural issues. But one of the most commonly misunderstood issues has to do with the basement.

Homes with basements are a high commodity here in Georgia – they provide extra storage space, extra room in the house, and a cooler place to hang out during the oppressive summer heat. However, it is very important to have a thorough inspection done on the entire house, which includes the basement, before purchase. Cracks in the basement are a signal that there is underlying stress on the home’s foundation. Cracks are a reaction to something happening on the other side of the wall or beneath the concrete floor, and they should not be ignored.

The four most common cracks in the basement are:

Horizontal Wall Cracks are most often found about three feet down from ground level and are known as “free line” cracks. This is an indication of where the surface soil stops freezing during cold winter. The freezing and thawing of the soil causes contraction and expansion, putting pressure on the basement wall. This type of crack is very dangerous.

Stair Step Cracks are most typically found at or near the corners of the home’s foundation. These stair steps indicate that there is a footer movement in that area because the footer has been undermined. The entire home sits upon the footers; therefore, if a footer is cracked or undermined, it offers very little stability to the entire home. This type of crack can be very costly to repair if not taken care of early.

Vertical Cracks indicate that there is a high amount of stress in the foundation to cause the foundation walls to sheer or split vertically. This is an extremely dangerous situation because it is almost always an indication that the footer is either about to crack or has already cracked. This problem needs to be taken care of very quickly before much more serious damage occurs.

Floor Cracks are indication that there is water pressure from below the home’s foundation. While these cracks are not a serious indicator of foundational problems, they can provide an entrance for water to come in and flood the home. Fixing the cracks themselves will not relieve the pressure from beneath the home. The water pressure from beneath the home must be removed for the cracks to stop expanding.

At Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repair, we are experts at solving issues with a home’s foundation. We do a full inspection of the property to determine the root cause of the problem, and with over 90 years of experience, we offer expert diagnoses. If you have any type of crack in your basement that you are concerned about, please call us. We proudly offer home foundation inspections and repairs that are guaranteed.

Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs

Call us (770) 422-2924 Contact Us

Our Client Reviews

Anglin's Foundation & Masonry Repairs

4.8 / 5.0

Based on 55 reviews

Tammy S.

From start to finish, everyone at Anglin's was amazing! Gus was responsive, always answered his phone, knowledgeable, professional, honest and fair. He went above and beyond to make a stressful situation less stressful. Scheduling was a breeze and the crew that arrived on the job (on time, I might add) were courteous, respectful and efficient. They allowed me to watch and take pictures, and explained the process step-by-step, as well as what results were to be expected. Iggy was so knowledgeable, professional and amazing. He was able to pin point a problem that 2 other competing companies couldn't explain or relay in layman's terms what needed to be done and why. He was an absolute superstar in easing the mind of the buyers purchasing the house. His 27 years experience was so valuable. Shelly was quick to send paid invoices and warranty information. Everyone did an amazing job and I would recommend them highly.

Penelope Greensmith

I cannot say enough good things about GUS at Anglin’s Foundation and Masonry! GUS, was fast and gave a free estimate on raising, reattaching and fixing my brick stairs. I will be sure to post before and after photos! Thank you GUS for your no nonsense, straight forward approach! Thank you for listening to me! The Greensmith’s

Regina Renee Kalasz

Today was a install of a 2nd beam for our house... first one was easy, 2nd one gave them a run for their money. But they stuck it out and got it done! Awesome work! I'd throw a + behind my 5 stars if I could. Sorry I held your crew up, but they were determined to get it done with no issues. So shout out to your team Chris, Leo and Dan!

Scott Lapin

The team that lifted our chimney was prompt, courteous and efficient. Other then the repair, you simply could not tell they were even there despite the fact they had to remove part of our deck to do the work. I would HIGHLY recommend them.

Melissa Reed

Diagnosis and estimate from a picture, arrived as scheduled, done in just a couple hours and results were absolutely amazing. Price, workmanship, clean up - everything was absolutely 5 star!! Highly recommend these folks!!! I must add, 2 other well known and much advertised companies came out and estimated 6x the work and price, claiming we had more issues than what was actually going on. These guys call it like it is - honesty and integrity are hard to find in construction.

Dana Brennan

This crew is top notch. Worked with the office and mainly with Gus on site who was great. Showed up early, super knowledgeable, tons of experience. We really felt served in the way he recommended only what needed to be done and at a great price. Had another company wanting to add in other extras and unnecessary work. HIGHLY recommend Anglin!!

Aaron Gray

Quick to call back and totally honest. I wasn't sure if I had a foundation issue or a flooring issue but after a few questions, Nathan helped to figure out that it thankfully wasn't a foundation issue. Insteand of trying to sell me a job, Nathan helped me to make a good decision. I hope I never have foundation issues but if I do, this is the company I'm hiring.

Jake Herman

Another masonry contractor referred us to Anglin because we had a concern about the structural integrity of our chimneys. We were told that they were the best people to talk to. I called them and they actually came by to assess my house within two hours. Although I was fully prepared to spend a lot of money to stabilize my chimneys, he did a full assessment and very honestly told me that my chimneys were fine and just needed some caulking where the mortar met the brick. I greatly respect his expertise and honesty and would recommend him without reservation.

A Proven Value
Since 1930

John Anglin

John Anglin "I Fix It For Life
the First Time"

Anglin's Foundation & Masonry Repairs 1027 Oregon Trail Southwest Marietta GA, 30008
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Financing available through Regions Bank. Must be approved to Qualify. Call Anglin’s for Details: (770) 422-2924