Dry Foundation of Kansas City

 


Foundation wall push backs                       Mud Jacking


Epoxy injection crack repair                Interior & exterior crack repair


Steel piers to bedrock                 Sump pumps & interior lateral drains


I-beam wall restraints          Grading, swales and backfill around your foundation


Dead man anchors     Gutter covers & screens combined with downspout extensions


email Steve West                              Schedule an appointment                                  Contact an Engineer

                                                    OUR MISSION STATEMENT

                Stop the water before it enters your basement and damages your foundation

                                                                        or

                                   Prevent any further damage to your foundation

                                             Correct your problem at the source

   We do the expensive repairs, and are second to none, but our focus is on the source of the problem to your foundation. What caused your foundation to fail? 95+% of foundation problems are a result of inadequate drainage and grading. Our focus is on the source of the problem. We can stop the bleeding and prevent it from getting worse by addressing the source of the problem at much less expense. Then you can do the big repairs on your schedule when you can better afford to have the work done, either as a result of a sale, out of the proceeds of a sale, or when you’ve saved up to have it done. Until then, you’ll be able to enjoy your home once more, not worried it will fall in, or loose sleep every time it rains. So instead of screaming the sky is falling, and your house is in danger of falling in on you, insisting on expensive repairs as other companies do. We look at the whole problem and always prefer to address the source of the problem first. This is why 90+% of our work is grade and drainage. This is the most important factor most companies don’t address. They would rather you spend thousands pumping water out of your basement, rather than preventing the water from getting in your basement to begin with. Regardless of what work is done, not addressing the source of the problem. is an invitation for future problems. This is why frequently, we’re working on homes that have already had thousands of dollars spent on previous failed repairs.


THIS IS SOME OF WHAT WE DO TO PROTECT AND/OR REPAIR YOUR FOUNDATION & KEEP YOUR BASEMEMT DRY:


Quality Gutter Screens are the best and cheapest way to protect your foundation from excess moisture. Steep pitched roofs require a different solution since on a steep roof water can run over the gutter covers. Roof valleys need to be addressed differently since the volume of water running down a valley will run over the gutter covers.


We often see decks built over an old patio. 9 times out of 10 that patio has settled sloping toward the house. Putting a deck over it doesn’t stop the water from running toward your home. When adding a deck over an old patio, always remove the patio, then backfill and compact the soil to prevent future basement water problems.


Buried or surface black flexible downspout drains fail because roof debris (shingle sand, twigs and leaves) collect in the ridges and plug up the drains. Underground drains will always fail eventually also due to low spots or traps where debris collects. Connections are all loose and water runs out around them, and some people and contractors install perforated drains which will further exacerbate your roof water run off problems.

Grade settlement occurs around your foundation throughout the life of your home, and it is critical the grade be maintained to insure proper drainage, even for portions where there is no basement or crawl space such as an attached garage.


Trees near your foundation can disrupt the flow of water, and roots can undermine your foundation. During a drought, tree roots will draw water from under your foundation causing settlement. These often need to be removed to protect your foundation.


Periods of drought can cause the soil to shrink (as when the ground cracks) which may lead to settlement. Cracks in the ground can be deluged by heavy rain. During periods of drought it may be necessary to add water around your foundation to prevent shrinkage. This can be done with a soaker hose, or even filling your sump pump pit with water to prevent subsidence.  In Kansas City foundation damage occurs more frequently as a result of excess water rather than drought, but here we are prone to both extremes.