Foundation Settlement
Foundation Settlement – What It Means and Why It Can’t Wait
Is your home showing signs of shifting, cracking, or sinking? You may be dealing with foundation settlement, a serious issue that occurs when the soil beneath your home can no longer support its weight. It’s not just a cosmetic problem — it’s a structural one that can worsen quickly and lead to costly repairs.
At Force Basements, we help homeowners detect early warning signs and stop foundation settlement before the damage becomes irreversible.
What Causes Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement happens when the soil under your home shifts, compacts, or washes out, causing your foundation to sink or crack unevenly. Common causes include:
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Expansive clay soils that shrink and swell with moisture
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Poor soil compaction during original construction
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Erosion from poor drainage or leaking pipes
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High groundwater levels or drought conditions
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Tree roots absorbing moisture from the soil
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Inadequate or failed footing systems
Over time, this results in unbalanced weight distribution and structural instability.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Foundation Settlement
Foundation problems never fix themselves — and the longer you wait, the worse (and more expensive) they get.
What can happen if you ignore foundation settlement:
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Vertical, diagonal, or stair-step cracks in walls and foundations
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Doors and windows that stick or won’t close
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Sloping, uneven floors
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Bowed basement walls
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Water intrusion and flooding
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Major structural instability that affects the entire home
How Force Basements Fixes Foundation Settlement
We take a comprehensive approach to evaluating and repairing foundation settlement with customized, long-lasting solutions. Here’s how we do it:
Step 1: Foundation Inspection
We inspect your entire structure — inside and out — to assess signs of settlement, soil movement, and damage severity.
Step 2: Soil & Load Analysis
We evaluate the type of soil beneath your foundation and identify weak spots contributing to settlement.
Step 3: Solution Recommendation
Based on our findings, we recommend proven repair methods such as:
Step 4: Installation
Our trained team installs the system with minimal disruption, restoring stability to your home from the ground up.
Step 5: Monitoring & Prevention
We offer ongoing monitoring and may recommend waterproofing or drainage upgrades to prevent future soil movement.
Other Issues You Might Be Facing
FAQs About Foundation Settlement
How do I know if my house has foundation settlement?
Common signs include stair-step cracks, sloping floors, sticking doors, and separation between walls and ceilings.
Is foundation settlement dangerous?
Yes — if left untreated, it can compromise the entire structure of your home, leading to collapse in extreme cases.
How much does it cost to fix foundation settlement?
Costs vary based on severity and the solution used. We offer free inspections and can provide financing for repairs.
Stop Foundation Settlement Before It Gets Worse
Foundation problems are scary — but they’re also solvable. Contact Force Basements today for a free inspection and expert guidance on how to stop foundation settlement in its tracks.
Service Area
Force Basements proudly provides basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space services, concrete repair and egress window installation to homes and businesses in Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Springfield, the Quad Cities, Decatur, Quincy, LaSalle/Peru and surrounding communities.
