Why Is My Home's Foundation and Garage Sinking?
Like many homeowners in Michigan, one Rochester Hills resident began noticing signs that their garage wasn’t as stable as it once was.
Have you noticed your attached garage pulling away from your home, sinking, or just not looking as stable as it once did? You’re not alone. This is a common issue for homeowners in Michigan and Northern Indiana due to soil conditions and seasonal weather changes. In fact, one Rochester Hills homeowner has been dealing with this issue since she was just eight years old.
The good news is you don’t have to live with it. These problems won’t fix themselves, but there are proven solutions that can permanently repair and stabilize your garage’s foundation.
Here are some common signs you may notice that your garage foundation is settling or shifting:
- Uneven or sloping garage floor
- Garage pulling away from the house
- Doors or service doors are sticking or not closing properly
- Gaps between the garage and the home
- Water pooling near or around the garage foundation
How a Rochester Hills Lifelong Resident Solved a Decades-Long Foundation Issue
Marilyn and Sue live near Spencer Park, Spencer Beach, and Sanctuary Lake Golf Course in Rochester Hills. Sue has lived in the home since childhood and recalls foundation issues beginning not long after it was originally built by her parents.
In fact, the garage floor had to be removed and replaced just one year after construction. Over the years, it was lifted multiple times, but the problems continued and gradually worsened.
The attached garage showed clear signs of movement, including an uneven floor, visible cracking, a sticking side door, and a stair-step crack forming along the brick on the east wall. While water intrusion was not present, the likely cause was long-term soil movement, potentially linked to a sump pump discharge line that had failed several times over the years.
After decades of patching drywall and repairing mortar within their garage, Marilyn and Sue were ready for a permanent solution. They wanted to address the root cause, not just the symptoms, so they could stop the cycle of ongoing repairs for good.
Foundation Solutions for Cracked and Bowed Walls
Marilyn and Sue contacted Ayers for a free inspection. After a thorough evaluation, our system design specialist identified the best path forward to stabilize the garage for the long term.
To permanently address the issue, our team installed helical piers to stabilize and restore the foundation.
Helical Piers are strong supports that are screwed deep into the ground until they reach stable soil. They hold up your home by shifting its weight away from weak, shifting ground to solid soil below. This helps stop movement and can even lift your home back toward its original position.
From the pictures below, you can see excavation around the foundation and our crews installing the piers.
Start with a Free Foundation Repair Inspection
At Ayers, we see foundation problems like these every day, cracked walls, sloping floors, garages pulling away from the home, and doors or windows that suddenly won’t open properly.
If your home is showing any of these signs, don’t wait. Start with a free inspection. Our system design specialists will thoroughly evaluate your home, clearly explain what’s happening, and recommend a solution tailored to your needs and budget.
Request your free estimate today and get back to living with peace of mind.