- Foundation Repair
- Basement Waterproofing
- Exterior Water Management
- Crawl Space Recovery
- Wall Repair
- Crack Repair & Concrete Levelling
- Commercial Services
- Builder Services
- Plumbing Services
- Home Elevation
- Air Quality
- Foundation Resources
Whether you live in St. Paul or Minneapolis, your Minnesota home’s foundation is prone to damage. Minnesota’s soil content may be perfect for growing soybeans or cotton, but the high clay and silt content found across the state also contributes to foundation problems.
Minnesota’s Soil and Your Foundation
When clay and silt soil gets wet — from rainfall, irrigation, or even from ground water — it absorbs the moisture and expands forcefully, putting pressure on foundations. In contrast, when the clay and silt soil dries out during the long, hot summer months, it hardens and shrinks, pulling away from foundations. The cycle of expansion and contraction is even more pronounced during periods of drought, such as those that have affected the U.S. during recent years.
Other common Minnesota foundation problems include cracks from nearby tree and shrub roots, as well as street creep, a phenomenon that takes place when concrete roads and sidewalks near your home expand and contract as the temperature changes. When the soil around foundations shifts, the foundations shift as well, settling, warping, and even cracking— causing damage to the support system that keeps your Minnesota home safe and secure.
Warning Signs
Unlike many other home repairs, foundation damage isn’t something you can put off or let slide. Over time, foundation problems can grow into severe structural damage, rendering your home unsafe or even in extreme cases – uninhabitable. That’s why it’s so important to nip foundation problems in the bud. Warning signs include:
- Cracks in walls, brickwork, ceilings and drywall
- Wet basements or crawl spaces
- Bulging basement or crawl space walls
- Floors that slope or are uneven
- Doors or windows that won’t shut properly
- Gaps above door or window frames
If you notice these warning signs, give Olshan Foundation Repair a call. We will happily provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate so you can keep your home safe and secure.
Minnesota Service Area
Olshan services the entire state of Tennessee from regional offices located in:
