Protecting Boulder Homes Since 2001: Expert Solutions for Settling, Cracks & Concrete Leveling
Your foundations are the bedrock of any home, and any damage could cost you tens of thousands of dollars to put right. Early intervention ensures that you mitigate the damage and prevent major damage to your home.
For over two decades, Van Matre Construction, Boulder concrete contractors, has brought its expertise to the local community, providing foundation repair services. It’s our attention to detail and knowledge of the area’s unique soil conditions that enable us to make not just repairs but lasting ones.
We’re proud to serve local homeowners and are now ready to serve you. If you’re worried about your foundations, schedule your free consultation today and get an expert’s insights on foundation repair in Boulder, CO.
Boulder’s Unique Geological Challenges
Boulder is where the mountains meet the plains, and that location means a complex geological profile. Unfortunately, the soil presents unique challenges to your home’s foundations.
The expansive clay and bentonite layers easily absorb moisture and swell during wet and snowy conditions. Plus, during dry spells, it will contract, putting even more pressure on your home’s foundations, resulting in cracking, sinking, and instabilities forming.
Some parts of the area even have granite bedrock formations under your home. These Boulder soil conditions result in highly unpredictable soil behavior, with proper anchoring essential for preventing damage.
Add Boulder soil conditions to Colorado’s regularly scheduled freeze-thaw cycles and temperature swings, and you run the gamut of threats to your home’s foundations. Our decades of experience position us to understand the complicated geology of the area, allowing us to deploy lasting solutions to stop the attack on your foundations.
Common Foundation & Concrete Problems in Boulder
No two parts of the U.S. experience the exact same foundation and concrete problems. Extreme weather and the shifting soils of Boulder open the door to a variety of foundation and concrete problems that, if left unchecked, can cause catastrophic damage to your family’s home.
The most common foundation issues we encounter include:
- Settling – Settling and sinking are facets of living in Boulder because of the clay soil. This type of soil’s ability to absorb moisture means excessive shifting beneath homes.
- Cracks – Another issue with clay soil is that the shifts attack the structural integrity of your foundations, which eventually leads to cracks. In extreme scenarios, this can put structural stress on the whole building.
- Bowing Walls – Hydrostatic pressure and expanding soil can cause your walls to bow, especially in the basement. If left unchecked, it can lead to structural collapse.
- Water Damage – Water damage and general seepage are common because of the Centennial State’s freeze-thaw cycles. Extreme winter weather and subsequent snowmelt gradually erode foundations, with water entering your home. It can also cause dangerous mold growth.
Foundation cracks in Boulder are often the first phase of what could mean permanent structural damage to your home, necessitating tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Additionally, it’s not just your foundations you have to worry about, but other parts of your home.
Uneven settling, sinking, flaking, and general deterioration can hit your walkways, patios, garage slabs, and driveways, leading to further drainage issues and trip hazards. Everyone wants the peace of mind of living in a safe, stable home.
That’s why identifying the root cause of concrete damage in Boulder as early as possible is vital for protecting your home, and that’s why professional intervention matters.
Recognizing Warning Signs in Boulder Homes
What are the signs of foundation problems in Boulder? It’s not when you start noticing serious issues like your home leaning to one side. Many problems are evident if you know which early warning signs to look for.
That’s why we strongly recommend knowing how to identify foundation damage and performing cursory checks at least a couple of times a year.
If you notice any of the following, it’s time to contact a professional:
- Cracks in your drywall. (Pay close attention to areas above doors and windows!)
- Exterior brick/concrete block cracks.
- Sticking and jamming doors and windows.
- Doors and windows that won’t close properly.
- Sloping/uneven floors.
- Gaps between walls, ceilings, and baseboards.
- Surface water in your basement.
- Water pooling around your foundations.
- Cracks/sinking in walkways, patios, and driveways.
- Leaning/bowing walls.
None of these signs is a regular part of living in Boulder. Problems can multiply quickly, with one season being all it takes to cause catastrophic damage. Don’t delay, call Van Matre Construction if you notice any of these signs.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Boulder Foundation Repair
We’ve developed a structured repair process for home foundations that has been tried and tested across a quarter of a century. We know that every home’s geology is unique, which is why we don’t believe in cookie-cutter foundation repair services.
Van Matre Construction orients our process to suit the specific root causes of your foundation problems. Here’s how we deliver our expertise to ensure your home’s foundations are protected for years to come.
1. Free On-Site Inspection
Call us and tell us about the problems you’re having with your home. We’ll send out one of our friendly experts to inspect your home inside and outside. We’ll measure settlement, identify moisture issues, and evaluate visible damage. Additionally, we use state-of-the-art technology to measure structural movement.
2. Custom Repair Plan
With this information, we can devise a tailored solution to guarantee that any repairs we make won’t require us to come back next year and do it all again.
You’ll receive a transparent report detailing all the issues we’ve detected and different options, alongside their pros and cons. Our experts take the time to explain exactly what the problem is and the best repair strategy to address that specific issue.
3. Deploy Industry-Best Solutions
At Van Matre Construction, our goal isn’t to deliver the cheapest solution. We want the best, long-lasting solution because we know it’s ultimately cheaper for you in the long run. Our suppliers provide us with industry-leading, state-of-the-art materials, including wall anchors, carbon fiber reinforcement, and helical piers.
Once we have provided you with a transparent quote with no hidden fees, we’ll gather everything we need to begin making the necessary repairs to your foundations.
4. Fast, Effective Execution
Based on your schedule, we’ll set a date to come and make the repairs. Our precision foundation repair professionals will visit your home and lay the groundwork for foundation repair.
That includes protecting your landscaping, minimizing noise, and keeping up clear lines of communication every step of the way. We pride ourselves on delivering solutions on time and with zero unpleasant surprises.
We’ll get to work using our clear project timeline, giving you regular updates and notifying you immediately if we encounter anything unexpected.
5. Project Sign-Off and Ongoing Support
Our foundation repair process in Boulder emphasizes keeping the homeowner in the loop. After we’re done, we’ll give you a full walkthrough, showing you precisely what we have done and providing you with the chance to ask any questions.
We also provide ironclad warranties and continuing support if your foundation repair problems return. Unlike other companies, we stand by the quality of our work and continue to support our customers long after we’ve left.
Types of Foundation Repair and Concrete Services
We’re a full-service foundation repair and concrete services company, meaning we offer a plethora of services to address all of the problems Boulder homeowners commonly experience.
Our core services include:
- Foundation Repair – Whether your home is experiencing minor settling or enormous structural shifts, we correct foundation movement with strategies to address the unique geology of Boulder’s soils and Colorado’s extreme weather cycles.
- Concrete Leveling – Bumps in your driveway or walkway? Uneven patio? We can lift and stabilize concrete slabs using state-of-the-art concrete leveling in Boulder.
- Basement Waterproofing – Prevent moisture and mold from entering your home with basement waterproofing. Our services include interior and exterior sealing and drainage system installation.
- Foundation Reinforcement – Compromised foundations don’t have to necessitate major building work. Our foundation reinforcement services use tools like steel braces and carbon fiber straps to reinforce your foundations and stop further damage in its tracks.
- Crack Repair & Sealing – Cracks are an entryway into your home for water intrusion and permanent structural damage. Let us use our precision techniques and specialized resins to seal cracks in walls and foundations to restore your home’s integrity.
Our core services tackle anything Boulder’s climate can throw at your home. The different solutions we can deploy for various situations are what separates us from other companies. Here’s a breakdown of some of the foundation repair approaches we take, alongside their pros and cons.
Helical Piers
Using helical piers in Boulder means screwing specialized steel piers deep into stable soil layers. This lifts and stabilizes your foundations for years to come.
- Pros – Extreme durability, targets active clay soil, and offers immediate load-bearing.
- Cons – More costly and requires expert installation.
Polyurethane Injection
Applying a polyurethane injection involves using a polyurethane foam to lift and level slabs via an injection system. We’ll inject the foam beneath your contract for a quick, minimally invasive solution that’s designed to last.
- Pros – Quick, minimally invasive, and no heavy equipment needed.
- Cons – Unsuitable for heavy structures and doesn’t effectively solve serious structural problems.
Concrete Slab Leveling
Slabs that have sunk around your home present a serious safety problem. Through concrete slab leveling, we use polyurethane foam or mudjacking (slabjacking) to raise and stabilize sunken slabs.
- Pros – Affordable and negates the need to replace slabs.
- Cons – Mudjacking is messy, whereas foam tends to be the more expensive option.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Deploying carbon fiber reinforcement for foundation repair is designed to tackle cracks in foundation walls and stabilize walls that might be in the process of bowing.
- Pros – Non-invasive and low profile, while offering high tensile strength.
- Cons – Unsuitable for advanced-stage wall bowing.
Wall Anchors and Braces
The purpose of anchors is to embed them in the soil and connect them to your interior walls. Essentially, the point is to reorient interior walls by pulling them back into their original place.
- Pros – Addresses extreme lateral pressure and advanced-stage wall bowing.
- Cons – Highly invasive solution requiring yard excavation.
Why Choose Van Matre Construction?
Foundation repair is not something that just anyone should handle. The nature of this work means poor-quality jobs could cause serious damage to your home, and even collapse it. That’s why so many people turn to Van Matre Construction.
Since 2001, we’ve been serving homeowners not just with foundation repair but an array of other construction work, offering an authentic end-to-end service provider for all your construction and repair needs. We focus on providing custom solutions with high-grade materials, while embracing state-of-the-art innovations from the moment they hit the market.
It’s what enables us to deliver the highest-quality service possible. When you work with us, we guarantee:
- Unparalleled mastery of our craft.
- Foundation repair with results that are guaranteed to last for years to come.
- Commitment to securing your home for the long haul through quality craftsmanship.
- Five-star customer service from start to finish (just check our Google reviews!)
- Bespoke solutions that acknowledge every home is different.
- No hidden fees and transparent pricing.
- Ironclad warranties, illustrating how confident we are in our work.
We’re not a national chain, and we’re not a franchise. Van Matre Construction is Colorado-born and bred, and we’re proud to serve the local community exclusively. Moreover, our contractors aren’t brought in from outside. Our experts understand what makes Colorado tick, and our knowledge of everything from building codes to soil composition enables us to protect your home.
Add everything up, and Van Matre Construction is the foundation repair and concrete services company that defends your home like nobody else can. After all, your home is your castle!
Client Testimonials and Case Studies
Our Commitment to Quality
At Van Matre Construction, we allow our work to speak for itself. After a quarter of a century, we have made our mark in Boulder through consistent, impeccable standards on every project. We’re fully licensed to operate in Colorado and provide comprehensive insurance coverage for every job.
Van Matre Construction has held an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau since 2004, showing our commitment to high-quality construction and ethical dealings with our customers. Additionally, we hold a Lead-Safe Certification and have been recognized in the Boulder Business Report “40 Under 40” section in the past.
Worried about letting strangers work on your house?
Every customer we work with receives a 100% satisfaction guarantee. That means we’ll never leave you with a poor-quality finish and then skip away. We also use a Guaranteed Maximum Price model, meaning you’ll know what you’ll pay before we begin work.
As a family-owned and operated company, we’re proud to serve the citizens of Boulder in protecting their homes. To learn more about our commitments to you, get in touch with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Foundation Repair
How much does foundation repair cost in Boulder?
Foundation repair cost depends on how severe the damage is. Minor damage might cost as little as a few hundred dollars, whereas major structural problems could cost thousands. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation site visits to assess the damage and prepare a quote. And, unlike other companies, the price we quote is the price you actually pay.
Do you offer financing for foundation or concrete work?
Yes, Van Matre Construction offers financing for when you can’t pay for urgent construction repair work out of your own pocket in a single lump sum. Our flexible financing options ensure homeowners don’t have to put off essential repair work because of the cost. If you need financing for foundation repair in Boulder, talk to us about it during your consultation.
How long does a typical foundation repair take?
Many foundation repair jobs might be completed on the same day. For example, minor cracks can be sealed quickly. Concrete leveling and polyurethane injections are also solutions that can be completed on the same day. More complex, invasive works may take up to a week to complete. We’ll give you a timeline as part of our on-site consultation.
Do I need permits for foundation repair and concrete work?
In many cases, Boulder does require you to get a valid permit before starting work. However, our knowledge of local building codes and the permit application system means we can do this on your behalf. We’ll coordinate with the city, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
What does the foundation repair process in Boulder look like?
Our foundation repair process begins with a free on-site inspection to assess the damage and the causes of it. With that information, we can provide a bespoke plan and quote for you to review. From there, it’s a matter of carrying out the repairs efficiently and walking you through the results. It sounds simple because it’s how we like to keep things for our customers.
Preventative Foundation & Concrete Maintenance
Foundation repair doesn’t have to be inevitable. Preventative foundation maintenance in Boulder goes a long way to stopping problems before they happen. As a homeowner, there are ways for you to protect your property and prevent these issues from arising in the first place.
We always advise our customers on what they can do to extend the lifespan of their foundations and concrete surfaces. So, where should you get started?
Home Foundation Maintenance Checklist
- Maintain consistent soil moisture during the drier parts of the year through regular watering using a soaker hose.
- Ensure proper drainage by extending downspouts, so they’re at least six feet away from your home. Aid drainage by sloping soil away from your foundations.
- Don’t plant trees or shrubs too close to your home to avoid disturbing the stability of the soil.
- Conduct regular inspections of your foundations. Note any developing cracks or signs of settling.
- Watch for interior signs of foundation problems, like sloping floors, wall/ceiling gaps, and doors/windows that stick or don’t close properly.
Concrete Maintenance Checklist
- Apply sealant to all exterior concrete surfaces every two to three years to keep moisture out and tackle wear and tear.
- Sweep away dirt and debris to stop surface breakdown.
- Seal minor cracks to prevent them from expanding further.
- Refrain from using de-icing salts on concrete, as they’re notorious for eroding surfaces and widening cracks.
- Avoid placing heavy loads on thinner concrete slabs and edges, as it could undermine soil support.
Maintenance is Proactive But Not Permanent
Foundation and concrete maintenance tips in Boulder will only take you so far. While implementing these tips will protect your home, they’re not a permanent solution to natural wear and tear. Sooner or later, cracks and other issues will develop as your foundations and surfaces grow older.
If your home is already showing signs of structural issues or your concrete surfaces look worse for wear, it’s time to call a professional. Experts can recognize whether remedial work is required or advise on what to keep an eye on if repairs aren’t necessary.
Don’t bury your head in the sand because the costs of ignoring these issues could be substantial.
Get Started Today!
Allowing foundation and concrete problems to go unresolved puts your home at risk. Early intervention is the solution to restoring your home and giving yourself the peace of mind you deserve.
Van Matre Construction are the experts in fast, efficient, and lasting foundation and concrete repair In Boulder and beyond. We offer a free, on-site consultation for every homeowner. Get in touch, and one of our local contractors will visit your home and assess the situation in depth.
All our consultations are no-obligation, meaning you’re not obliged to accept our quote or proceed. When you work with us, we provide bespoke solutions because we know it’s the only way to guarantee results designed to last for years to come.
If you’re ready to bring your home back to its former glory, schedule your free consultation with us today.
