EM Construction provides professional foundation repair services for residential and commercial properties throughout New York and New Jersey. Foundation problems are among the most serious structural issues a building can face — and also among the most important to address promptly and correctly.
Your building’s foundation is its most critical structural element. It transfers all loads from the structure above to the soil below and keeps ground moisture out of occupied spaces. When foundations crack, settle, bow, or leak, the consequences extend throughout the entire structure. EM Construction diagnoses foundation problems accurately and implements proven repair solutions that restore structural integrity and stop water infiltration.
Common Foundation Problems We Address
Foundation Cracks
Cracks are the most common foundation problem. They range from hairline shrinkage cracks — a natural consequence of concrete curing — to structural cracks caused by settlement, hydrostatic pressure, or thermal movement. Not all cracks are equal: horizontal cracks in block foundations indicate lateral pressure and require prompt structural intervention; vertical and diagonal cracks in poured concrete may be stable or active, and require evaluation before repair.
Foundation Settlement
When the soil beneath a foundation consolidates, erodes, or shifts, differential settlement occurs — causing portions of the foundation to drop relative to others. Settlement manifests as sloped floors, sticking doors and windows, and diagonal cracks at corners of openings throughout the building.
Foundation Wall Bowing & Inward Movement
Hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil, expansive clay soils, or frost pressure can bow or deflect foundation walls inward. Block walls are particularly susceptible to this failure mode. Bowing walls that are not stabilized will eventually fail entirely.
Water Infiltration & Wet Basements
Cracked, porous, or improperly waterproofed foundations allow groundwater and surface water to enter basement spaces. Chronic moisture in basements creates mold, damages finishes, corrodes metals, and contributes to structural deterioration.
Deteriorated Mortar & Block
Older block foundation walls often have deteriorated mortar joints that allow water infiltration and reduce the wall’s structural capacity. Repointing block foundation walls seals water entry points and restores joint integrity.
Our Foundation Repair Services
Epoxy & Polyurethane Crack Injection
Structural cracks in poured concrete foundations are repaired by injection with epoxy (for structural restoration and permanent sealing) or polyurethane foam (for active water leaks). Injection ports are placed at intervals along the crack, and material is injected under pressure to fill the crack from the inside out.
Carbon Fiber Strap Installation
Bowing or cracking block and poured concrete foundation walls can be stabilized with high-strength carbon fiber straps anchored at the floor system above and the footing below. Carbon fiber straps prevent further movement without excavation and are an excellent repair for walls in the early to moderate stages of inward movement.
Wall Plate Anchor Systems
Steel wall plate anchors — installed through the foundation wall and anchored in undisturbed soil — resist hydrostatic pressure and can be progressively tightened over time to gradually restore the wall to plumb.
Foundation Wall Rebuilding
Severely deteriorated or failed foundation wall sections must be rebuilt. We shore the structure above, remove the failed wall section, install new concrete or block foundation wall to current code, and waterproof the new construction.
Underpinning
When a foundation is settling due to inadequate bearing capacity or poor soil conditions, underpinning extends the foundation to a deeper, more stable bearing layer. We install helical pier and push pier underpinning systems that can be installed with minimal excavation and can be load-tested to confirm performance.
Drainage & Waterproofing
Most foundation problems have a moisture component. We install exterior waterproofing membranes, drainage board, and perimeter drain systems to relieve hydrostatic pressure and direct water away from foundation walls. Interior perimeter drain systems with sump pumps manage groundwater that cannot be fully excluded.
Foundation Crack Sealing & Waterproofing
Surface-applied hydraulic cement, crystalline waterproofing compounds, and elastomeric coatings provide the first line of defense against moisture at foundation walls. We apply these treatments to interior and exterior surfaces as part of a comprehensive waterproofing strategy.
When to Act
Foundation problems rarely improve on their own. A crack that is stable today may become active with the next significant rain or freeze event. Early intervention with appropriate repairs is almost always less expensive and disruptive than allowing problems to progress to the point where major structural intervention is required.
Warning Signs
– Visible cracks in foundation walls or floors (especially horizontal or stair-step cracks)
– Floors that slope, bounce, or feel uneven
– Doors or windows that stick or no longer close properly
– Gaps between walls and ceiling or floor
– Water, efflorescence, or mold in basement spaces
– Inward bowing visible in foundation walls
Our Process
1. Inspection & Engineering Assessment — We inspect visible conditions and, where required, coordinate with a licensed structural engineer to evaluate the extent and cause of foundation distress.
2. Repair Design — A repair plan is developed specifying the appropriate method for each condition.
3. Permitting — DOB permits are obtained for structural repair work as required.
4. Repair Execution — Foundation repairs are executed by experienced crews using proven products and methods.
5. Waterproofing — Moisture management measures are integrated with structural repairs.
6. Documentation — Completed work is documented for permit filing and your property records.
Service Areas
EM Construction provides foundation repair services throughout all five New York City boroughs, Long Island, Westchester County, and northern New Jersey.
Get a Free Estimate
Don’t wait for a manageable foundation problem to become a structural emergency. Contact EM Construction today for a professional foundation assessment and a free repair estimate.