The Problem
A homeowner in Kansas City, MO began noticing stair-step cracks forming along the exterior brick and widening drywall cracks inside the living room. Doors were sticking, and the floor near the rear of the home felt slightly unlevel. Over the course of a year, the movement became more noticeable.
The property sits on expansive clay soil, common throughout the Kansas City metro, which expands when wet and shrinks during dry periods. Over time, this soil movement caused the rear corner of the stone foundation to settle nearly 1.75 inches.
If left unaddressed, the settlement would have continued, potentially leading to structural damage, increased repair costs, and reduced property value.
The Inspection & Diagnosis
Our team performed a full foundation evaluation, including:
- Elevation measurements using a laser level
- Structural crack assessment
- Exterior grading and drainage review
- Soil condition evaluation
We determined that unstable surface soils were no longer providing adequate support beneath a portion of the foundation footing. Stabilization with deep foundation piers was recommended.
The Solution
We designed a stabilization plan using engineered steel ICC certified helical piers installed along the affected foundation wall.
Scope of Work:
- Excavated targeted areas along the rear foundation
- Installed 8 helical piers to load-bearing strata
- Transferred structural load from unstable soil to stable layers
- Sealed and restored excavated areas
Helical piers were chosen due to the foundation being made of stone. These piers will prevent damage to the foundation during installation.
The Results
- Foundation movement permanently halted
- Visible cracks reduced and stabilized
- Doors and windows operated properly again
- Homeowner regained structural confidence
Most importantly, the repair transferred the weight of the home away from reactive clay soils and into stable bearing strata — preventing future settlement in the repaired areas.
Why This Matters in Kansas City
Kansas City’s soil composition makes foundation settlement one of the most common structural issues homeowners face. Seasonal moisture fluctuations create movement that surface-level repairs cannot fix.
Deep foundation stabilization using steel piers provides a permanent solution by bypassing unstable soils entirely.
Think Your Foundation May Be Settling?
Signs to watch for:
- Stair-step brick cracks
- Interior drywall cracking
- Sloping floors
- Doors or windows sticking
- Gaps between walls and ceilings
If you’re seeing these signs, early stabilization can prevent significantly larger structural repairs later.
Schedule a professional foundation inspection to determine the right solution for your property.
