Why Older St. Louis Additions Settle Differently Than the Original House
When we inspect older homes around St. Louis, we sometimes find something that surprises homeowners. The original portion of a house may have been standing for 80, 100, or even 120 years with relatively little movement, while an addition built decades later shows cracks, uneven floors, or signs of foundation settlement. It seems backward. You […]
What We’ve Learned About Foundation Problems in Historic St. Louis Homes
St. Louis is home to some of the most beautiful historic neighborhoods in the country. From the brick homes of Soulard and Benton Park to the stately residences in Lafayette Square, Shaw, Webster Groves, and the Central West End, many homes throughout our region have been standing for well over 100 years. One of the […]
Why Do Foundation Problems Get Worse During Missouri Summers?
Many homeowners expect to find foundation problems after a season of heavy rain. What often surprises them is that some of the most significant movement happens during the hottest, driest months of the year. Throughout the St. Louis area, it’s common for homeowners to notice new foundation cracks, sticking doors, uneven floors, or widening gaps […]
Foundation Repairs We’ve Recommended That Didn’t Involve Piers
When homeowners hear the words foundation repair, many immediately picture large excavation projects, steel piers, and expensive structural work. The reality is often very different. At Perma Jack of St. Louis, we’ve inspected thousands of homes, and one thing we’ve learned is that not every foundation problem requires foundation piers. In fact, there are many […]
Carbon Fiber Straps vs. Epoxy Injection: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve discovered a crack in your basement wall, you’ve probably started searching for repair options. Two solutions you’ll see mentioned frequently are carbon fiber straps and epoxy crack injection. The problem? Many homeowners assume they’re competing repair methods. However, they usually solve two very different problems. At Perma Jack of St. Louis, one of […]
What Older St. Louis Homes Teach Us About Foundation Movement
The St. Louis area is full of homes with history. From brick homes built in the early 1900s to ranch homes from the 1950s and subdivisions developed throughout the 1980s, every generation of construction tells a different story. One question we hear during foundation inspections is, “Is this happening because my house is old?” It’s […]
Early Warning Signs of Foundation Failure
Most foundation problems don’t show up all at once. They start small and are easy to ignore, a hairline foundation crack, a small drywall crack, or a stickling door. Most homeowners don’t think much about the issues at first. Those small signs are often the early stages of something bigger. The key is knowing what […]
How Groundwater Affects Your Foundation
A lot of homeowners assume foundation problems only happen in older homes or after years of neglect. But sometimes all it takes is one major rain event. That’s because groundwater pressure can build up around a home long before there are visible warning signs. And once the soil around the foundation becomes saturated enough, the […]
When Does a Foundation Crack Signal a Serious Structural Problem
Not every crack in your foundation is a big deal. In fact, most homes will develop small cracks over time. Concrete shrinks. Soil shifts. Seasonal changes happen. But some cracks are different. They don’t just sit there. They grow, move, or show up with other warning signs. That’s when you stop watching and start taking […]
St. Louis Soil Problems: How They Affect Your Home’s Foundation
Most homeowners think foundation problems start with the house. In reality, they usually start with the soil beneath it. In the St. Louis region, the ground your home sits on plays a major role in how your foundation performs over time. The area is known for dense clay soils that expand, shrink, and shift throughout […]
