Foundation Issues & Structural Repair
in Alexandria Virginia

Water is a symptom. Sometimes of poor drainage, or something critical. (See Causes and Solutions) Water in your basement or crawl space is a foundation problem which normally requires a waterproofing solution. Failure to address this problem can often lead to foundation and structural problems. You may be asking, "What is the difference?"

The difference between foundation waterproofing and foundation repair is degree. If you have water coming though your floor, or wall, or through a crack in the wall, then you have seepage. If the foundation wall starts to bow, or if the crack is displaced a certain degree, e.g. - an inch or more - then you may have a foundation structural issue, which can no longer be ignored, or you risk foundation failure, and tremendous loss of property value.

The repair to a structural problem is determined by its magnitude - the stage that it happens to be in. If your wall has a small crack, which is structural, then the repair is not prohibitive. If the crack widens, and the wall is displaced by a few inches, the repair cost increases. If your wall is about to fall down or collapse, then the repair is expensive, as a wall rebuild is now necessary.

Listed below are indicators you can look for to determine possible expansive soil related movement and / or structural damage. The probability that your foundation has experienced some movement increases with the number of indicators observed, their frequency, and location in the structure.

Exterior Indicators:

• Diagonal (stair stepping) Cracks in brick walls. Cracks may go through brick or mortar and vary in width
• Sagging brick lines when sighting along a wall
• Bowed or non-vertical walls
• Separation of wood trim joints at corner
• Separation of concrete driveway, patio, or sidewalk from foundation
• Tilting of landscaping/retaining walls

Interior Indicators:

• Cracks in sheetrock walls or ceilings
• Bowed or non-vertical walls
• Bottom of wall separating from the floor
• Cracks at wall corners
• Cracks above doors
• Sticking doors. (warped door frames)
• Sticking windows
• Sloping floor surface
• Cracks in ceramic or vinyl tile
• Cracks in concrete floor

Before and After Photos -
Basement Waterproofing in Alexandria Virginia

Before

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

After

After

Alexandria Virginia Basement Waterproofing

Foundation repair may be complicated and when we diagnose a structural issue, then we require an engineer's report from an engineer with specialized knowledge to both analyze and develop repair plans. Apex Waterproofing has licensed and certified engineers who can come to your home and assess your problem.

They will determine the amount of foundation movement that has occurred and what the recommended course of action may be; e.g. - If the foundation wall has shifted or bowed inward, we may recommend a wall bracing to restrain and stabilize the wall to prevent further inward movement. If it is determined the foundation footing has cracked, we may recommend a foundation underpinning system to prevent further vertical settlement.

Regardless, if left unattended, foundation structural problems will only deteriorate further, leading to higher costs, and a loss of value in what is likely your largest and most valuable investment. We have qualified inspectors with over 30 years experience. Don't let the problem continue. Call our office today for one of our Licensed Structural Inspectors.

Professional Engineer (PE) Report

We often encounter situation in basements which are structural in nature. Approximately 5% of the homes which we inspect in Alexandria have a need for a civil / structural engineer to analyze the issue. For example, when a wall is bowed or displaced an inch or more, or you have a wall crack which is wider than an inch, then more often than not, you have a structural problem. When we install drain pipe (drain tile) around the perimeter of a footing, we occasionally encounter a footing crack, which would then require an underpin.

Although Apex and our crews have performed thousands of structural repairs, and we know what we are doing, what the fix is and how to fix them, these are structural issues and an engineer is required so that any work which is done is not only certified, but legal. If a structural issue exists, e.g. - a bowed wall which may need rebuilding, or underpinning, or I-Beams to restrict any further bowing or movement, in order to perform the necessary work, a permit must be pulled; to pull a permit, the city, county, or municipality will require a Professional Engineer's Report from a State Licensed Engineer, which will determine the extent of the damage, and the scope of the work to be performed.

This report would also carry the Engineer's Certification / License Stamp. An engineer, licensed in Virginia, can only perform work in Virginia. Our engineers are licensed in Virginia, and the District of Columbia. An engineer's stamp also warrants the work for three years from failure. Apex warrants structural repairs for up to ten years.

Structural engineering: that branch of engineering concerned with the design and construction of structures to withstand physical forces or displacements without danger of collapse or without loss of serviceability or function. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants).

The complexity of modern structures often requires a great deal of creativity from the engineer in order to ensure the structures support and resist the loads they are subjected to. A structural engineer will typically have a four or five year undergraduate degree, followed by a minimum of three years of professional practice before being considered fully qualified. Our engineers have more than 10 years experience.

Call Apex today to schedule an Inspection for your Alexandria foundation! (800) 656-4604

Zip Codes for Basement Waterproofing in Alexandria Virginia
22301| 22302 | 22303 | 22304 | 22305 | 22306 | 22307 | 22308 | 22309 | 22310 | 22311 | 22312 | 22313 | 22314 | 22315 | 22320 | 22331 | 22332 | 22333| 22334 | 22335 | 22350

Completed Waterproofing in Alexandria Virginia
Walter Dr, Alexandria, VA
Ramsgate Terrace, Alexandria, VA
Churchman Ct, Alexandria, VA
Helmsdale Ln, Alexandria, VA
Taney Ave, Alexandria, VA
N. Rosser St, Alexandria, VA
Lamberts Ln, Alexandria, VA
Duke St, Alexandria, VA