Cantsink Foundation Repair pages and posts containing resources on foundation repair costs, concrete repair, free estimates, and more.

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Cantsink Helical Piers Keep Patios on the Level

Does your patio furniture wobble? Maybe the problem isn’t the tables and chairs and it’s time for a call to Cantsink’s experts with decades of experience on how to Keep Patios on the Level.

  The concrete and pavers that create patio surfaces are heavy. If the soil below the patio is soft or has been undermined by moisture and changing temperatures over the years, the surface structure can buckle and crack. As pockets of soil sink at varying rates or repeated freezing and thawing in the change of seasons causes expansion and contraction, the integrity of the patio is undermined.

  Without subsurface support, patios can become uneven, unsightly and in need of repair. Georgia’s long warm seasons make outdoor living a pervasive part of family life here, from dining al fresco to summer evenings with friends and neighbors under the stars. There’s no time to constantly think about how to keep patios on the level.

  Cansink’s patented helical piles, steel piers with a unique helix plate at the lower end of the 2 7/8” steel shaft, offer an easy, cost-effective way to stabilize a patio surface. With minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping, Cantsink helical piers, made from high-quality, U.S.-made steel in our net-zero energy manufacturing facility in Metro Atlanta, can be inserted at strategic pressure points to return a sinking patio to stability and keep patios on the level for the life of your home.

  One click or call to Cantsink is all that’s required to schedule a site visit from one of our friendly experts. They can assess the extent of damage and work with our staff engineers to create a customized solution for your patio.

  Cantsink helical piers can be installed quickly and are virtually undetectable once they’re in place. The special design of Cantsink helical piers not only makes them 50 percent stronger than any other steel piers on the market, it also makes Cantsink’s process more environmentally responsible.

  If you’re building your dream home, starting with the guaranteed support of Cantsink helical piers offers the assurance that everything will remain level and secure for decades. All the structures can benefit from Cantsink support, from your foundation to all your home’s outdoor amenities such as the patio, deck, swimming pool and driveway.

  Trusted and endorsed by building professionals who know its record for underground support, Cantsink products level and stabilize structures of every age and size with customized solutions. Cantsink foundation supports use no chemicals and add no significant weight.

  Stabilizing your home and its surroundings with Cantsink helical piers not only keeps them attractive and useful for you and your family, it also protects their value for resale when the time comes.

  Custom-engineered and adaptable to a wide range of weather and soil conditions, Cantsink helical piers are ideal for stabilizing grounds features that are sinking or cracking.

  Don’t put up with cracked surfaces or wobbly patio furnishings. Pay attention to the signs that your patio needs added stability. Call or click for a Cantsink expert inspection today.

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Soggy Summer Storms Trigger Foundation Instability

Metro Atlanta experienced its rainiest July in five years, according to records from the National Weather Service. The 2022 hurricane season is now officially under way, sure to bring more soaking storms. Such soggy weather often creates unanticipated foundation instability under a home’s foundation.

When ground is saturated, it becomes more mobile, shifting unpredictably below poured structural foundations. Runoff from water that cannot be absorbed by saturated soil can make this problem worse by eroding soil from the foundation’s exterior walls as well.

New construction in the area around a home also shifts historic water patterns, creating pooling and runoff that didn’t occur when the home was originally built

Without deep underground support in soil substrata that is more stable than the saturated topsoil, foundation shifting and sinking causes foundation cracks and structural disruption to the house.

In the wake of wet weather, homeowners would be wise to check for vertical cracks in their foundation walls and signs of water leaking into their basement or crawl space.

Other warning signs of instability include doors or windows that stick in the frames, sagging floors or vertical cracks in drywall. All can indicate foundation shifts that can produce costly damage if left unaddressed.

Cantsink is the foundation expert, offering its cost-effective, patented helical piers that halt sinking from wet weather, heaving caused by winter freezing and thawing, and foundation shifting in soft soil. Repair with cost-effective Cantsink helical piers restores guaranteed stability for the life of the house.

With minimal disruption to surrounding landscape, Cantsink helical piers work by boring like a corkscrew deep below the home’s foundation into immobile substrata. A Cantsink expert can evaluate the unique structural needs of any home and recommend a cost-effective solution. Cantsink products are designed for nearly any climate or soil type.

In most cases, installation can be completed in a day. Once installed, Cantsink helical piers are virtually undetectable even as they protect the home’s appearance and long-term value. They also work for other aspects of the home environment, including porches, steps, chimneys, decks, pools and retaining walls.

Cantsink’s patented helical piers are manufactured in the company’s Metro Atlanta net-zero energy facility using 100% U.S. steel. Now celebrating its 34th year in business, Cantsink has earned the trust of local home builders and homeowners for foundation stability and repair.

Homeowners who detect signs of foundation instability should act quickly to avoid more costly damage. Contact Cantsink today to consult with our expert customer service team.

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Supporting Your Driveway with Cantsink Helical Piles

A smooth, flawless driveway is essential to the appearance of your home, not to mention the long-term maintenance of your cars. Properly supporting your driveway will ensure the longevity and sustainability of the gateway to your home.

  Without proper support below the heavy concrete of the driveway surface, that unblemished consistency of your driveway surface can quickly crack, buckle and crumble. The weight of concrete on surface soil can cause it to sink over time, especially if there is a lot of moisture underground causing an immediate need for supporting your driveway.

  Before you know it, the silent glide between street and driveway can become an annoying, unsightly obstacle course.

  Cantsink patented helical piles, installed below the driveway surface, can prevent the ravages of time and shifting, sinking soil. With one click or call, Cantsink’s friendly experts will come to your home. They will assess your needs and the company’s experienced engineers will work with your driveway contractor to devise a customized support system for your project.

   These steel piers are specially fabricated with a unique helix plate at the lower end of the 2 7/8” steel shaft that is easy to install and virtually undetectable once placed. Cantsink’s patented design not only makes them 50 percent stronger than any other steel piers on the market, it also makes the Cantsink process more environmentally responsible while supporting your driveway.

  Cantsink fabricates its products from high-quality, U.S.-made steel in a net-zero energy manufacturing facility in Metro Atlanta. The International Code Council, which develops safe, reliable building standards for construction in communities worldwide, has certified Cantsink’s product line through a stringent, independent testing process.

   Custom engineering makes Cantsink support adaptable to a wide range of weather and soil conditions while sustainably supporting your driveway.

    With Cantsink’s patented helical piles, installation is fast and easy through a process that eliminates guesswork and causes only minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping. Once the piles are in place, your contractor can pour the concrete knowing the driveway surface will remain smooth, attractive and worry-free for the life of your home.

  Founded in 1988, Cantsink is trusted by designers, builders and engineers to provide lasting, cost-effective support systems for all the elements – including driveways – that make a home attractive and distinctive. Cantsink’s patented helical piles keep soil and weather conditions from affecting the structural integrity of your home and its other structural features.

  The special benefits of Cantsink underpinnings are uniquely resistant to weather and geographic conditions such as rain-saturated ground, freezing winter temperatures and shifting soil conditions. All of these can wreck the structural alignment and integrity of a built environment.

  Whatever the problem with sinking structures, Cantsink helical piers can be key to the solution. Whether you are building a new driveway or supporting your driveway that is crumbling, starting with customized placement of Cantsink piles is the best assurance of a durable driveway for the future.

  Click now or call today for a smooth pathway to lasting beauty for your home.

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What to Expect from a Foundation Inspection

From the first call or click at the Cantsink Atlanta website, our friendly experts will answer your questions about your home’s foundation and schedule a site visit for a thorough analysis during your foundation inspection to determine your foundation stability.

  Homeowners who detect cracks in foundation cement, water seeping into basement areas or sagging floors and uneven door frames need answers a foundation inspection can provide about whether reinforcement is needed to prevent further damage.

  Foundation cracks wide enough to allow water to seep through are a clear sign of pending distress. Water intrusion not only erodes existing cracks, but can make unseen weaknesses worse, further undermining a home’s foundation.

  Other signs that a concrete foundation is unstable include eroded ground under the foundation or visible gaps between the foundation and the ground. Depressions or sinkholes under the home and discernable differences in ground height between one side of the home and another also signal foundation weakness.

   If you are unsure whether your concrete foundation is showing signs that indicate a serious issue, some basic guidance about foundation integrity can be found in local building codes.

  When additional support is needed, following a foundation inspection, Cantsink can create a lasting, cost-effective solution. We fabricate our products from high-quality, U.S.-made steel in our net-zero-energy manufacturing facility in Metro Atlanta. Cantsink helical piers have been verified through the stringent, independent testing process of the International Code Council, which develops safe, reliable building standards for construction in communities worldwide.

  Cantsink’s ICC-certified, patented, steel helical piers are manufactured supports installed below the ground surface to provide lasting underground reinforcement beneath foundations and other structures.

   Our steel piers are specially fabricated with a unique helix plate at the lower end of the 2 7/8” steel shaft that is easy to install and virtually undetectable once placed. Cantsink’s special design not only makes our helical piers 50 percent stronger than any other steel piers on the market, it also makes our process more environmentally responsible.

  Cantsink experts are trained and experienced in diagnosing and evaluating the signs of a sinking foundation. They can pinpoint problem areas and recommend customized, cost-effective solutions.

  Our expert will make a scheduled visit to your home for a detailed foundation inspection. This foundation inspection will include documenting topography and water conduit patterns as well as foundation crack assessment.

  With this information, Cantsink professionals can pinpoint problem areas, assess the extent of damage and forecast potential damage from further sinking or shifting. Then, Cantsink engineers can devise a discreet, cost-effective solution using our patented helical piles that will stabilize your foundation and prevent any future problems.

  Our products are custom-engineered and adaptable to a wide range of weather and soil conditions. Cantsink helical piers are ideal for stabilizing sinking, cracking foundations. Our products can be installed with minimal disruption to landscaping, are virtually undetectable once installed and protect property value for decades.

  Don’t wonder if your foundation needs added stability. Call or click for a Cantsink expert foundation inspection today.

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What Kind of Foundation Repair You’ll Need

Foundation repair work is as individual as homes are, depending on many factors such as soil conditions, foundation materials and weight load distribution.

  Signs of foundation settling should be taken seriously. Foundation instability should be corrected as quickly as possible once detected. If a home’s foundation contains vertical cracks – especially those wider than ¼ “or showing signs of water seepage – a repair expert from Cantsink should be contacted to assess the damage and recommend a customized plan to stop the settlement. Other danger signs include sagging floors, doors and windows that tilt or won’t operate properly, and vertical cracks in drywall are signs you may be in need of foundation repair..

  Cantsink experts will come to the home and assess the conditions. With an inspection of the property, they can identify the trouble spots and recommend a permanent, cost-effective foundation repair solution.

  Once the foundation and its surrounding conditions have been evaluated, they work with staff engineers to devise a customized plan to stabilize the foundation. That plan will include a detailed scope of work and an estimate of the cost to return the home to long-lasting alignment using Cantsink’s patented helical piles for necessary foundation repair.

  Precisely engineered and easily installed, Cantsink helical piers offer homeowners lasting peace of mind. This durable support under a home’s foundation resists weather and geographic conditions such as rain-saturated ground, freezing winter temperatures and shifting soil conditions. All of these can wreck a home’s structural alignment and integrity if left unaddressed.

  Locally manufactured, cost-effective Cantsink helical piles are ICC-certified and provide proven, long-term protection. Installation is easy and virtually undetectable once completed. Because these piles are made of steel, they withstand any conditions that arise.

  Cantsink’s contract with a homeowner includes a detailed scope of work, liability provisions and a detailed description of our product warranty. Installation of Cantsink helical piers can be accomplished expeditiously once scheduled and cause minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping.

  Cantsink’s friendly experts stay in communication about the repairs from start to finish, consulting with the homeowner, explaining the process and answering any questions that arise during the course of the project.

  Once the lasting protection of Cantsink helical piers is in place to prevent further sinking, repairs to concrete, drywall and door and window frames should be addressed by the homeowner or the contractor of their choice. Cantsink does not provide these services.

  Cantsink has been in the business of stabilizing foundations since 1988. Because of its long history and strong portfolio of lasting product performance, the company has established relationships throughout Metro Atlanta’s builder and engineering communities, with a widely recognized reputation for excellence. Designers and builders throughout the region trust Cantsink for the kind of lasting quality a homeowner should expect for foundation repair.

  If your house is sinking, don’t wait until the damage is undeniable. One call or online click to connect with Cantsink can begin the process that will pinpoint problems, create a permanent, cost-effective solution and get the installation done. When answers are that easy, there’s no reason to wait. Trust Cantsink with your foundation repair.

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Foundation Problems Need a Foundation Specialist

   Nobody calls a plumber for an electrical problem or a carpenter for a leaking pipe. Homeowners with cracked foundations need Cantsink, the foundation specialist for 30 years, to restore their house to permanent stability.

   Now celebrating three decades’ experience in creating structural stability from the ground up, A Cantsink foundation specialist & experts can offer a solution specific to a range of causes. Whether the cause is soft soils under the house, water incursion, or tree roots, Cantsink offers a guaranteed, cost-effective solution that will prevent costly damage.

   Cantsink’s patented helical piles bore through unstable topsoil like a corkscrew, anchoring the home’s foundation deep below the surface in immobile substrata far below. These helical pile designs have been tested and endorsed by the International Code Council, an independent, member-focused association dedicated to developing model codes and product performance standards. Plus, they are made in Metro Atlanta from 100% U.S. steel.

   Offering the largest selection of certified pile products on the market, Cantsink can recommend and provide products tailored to the needs of every homesite. A Cantsink foundation specialist can quickly install the helical piles with minimal disruption to surrounding landscape. Once in place, Cantsink helical piles are virtually undetectable even as they provide lasting support under the foundation.

   No other stabilization method offers more peace of mind at a lower cost. Foundation stability is the most essential element of a home’s long-term value, and, for most homeowners, the value of their house is central to their financial security.

   Don’t let vertical foundation cracks, crooked door frames, or sagging floors go unaddressed. Ignoring these warning signs of foundation instability could erode home value and ultimately require costly repairs.

   Foundation stability isn’t a do-it-yourself repair or a handyman task. Only a foundation specialist can diagnose the problem and devise a permanent solution.

   See why Cantsink has become one of the most trusted names in structural stability for homeowners and contractors in Metro Atlanta and far beyond. Customer satisfaction has been central to Cantsink’s corporate mission for every one of its 30 years in business.

   Contact a Cantsink specialist today. One click or phone call can schedule a Cantsink foundation specialist to assess the conditions and begin the process to peace of mind. The result will be guaranteed stability for the life of the home.

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How to Tell When Your Concrete Foundation Needs Repair

When concrete foundations develop large cracks and other signs of misalignment appear in floors, drywall, windows and doors, homeowners should seek remedies to prevent further deterioration. It’s time to call Cantsink when your foundation needs repair.

  Foundation cracks wide enough to allow water to seep through are a clear sign of pending distress. Water intrusion not only erodes existing cracks, but can make unseen weaknesses worse, further undermining a home’s foundation.

  Other signs that a concrete foundation is unstable include eroded ground under the foundation or visible gaps between the foundation and the ground. Depressions or sinkholes under the home and discernible differences in ground height between one side of the home and another also signal foundation weakness and that your foundation needs repair.

 If you are unsure whether cracking in your concrete foundation indicates a serious issue, guidance about signs of instability can be found through local housing codes.

  Cantsink experts can examine such signs and determine if a home’s foundation needs the added support of its permanent, underground helical piers. Simply filling cracks with mortar or cement won’t restore stability. With support from Cantsink’s ICC-certified helical piers, however, foundation settling is halted for the life of the home.

  A homeowner doesn’t always know what might be occurring below the weight of foundation concrete until the signs of distress appear. The presence of improperly compacted backfill soils under the house, for example, can create conditions that ultimately undermine the foundation. Homes close to bodies of water such as lakes, streams or rivers also are at high risk because of higher soil moisture content.

  Finally, tree roots can create unseen problems under a concrete foundation, either by growth and extension of a healthy tree’s root system or the biodegradation of roots from a tree that died or was cut down.

  Once signs of distress become obvious, steps should be taken right away to stabilize your concrete foundation. Left unaddressed, these conditions can dangerously compromise your home’s stability.

  Fortunately, a lasting, cost-effective solution is available to restore your concrete foundation to solid footing and reestablish your home’s fundamental soundness. Cantsink’s patented helical piers provide renewed stability in any soil or weather conditions.

  With one call or click, Cantsink will schedule an on-site visit from one of our experts to assess the damage and begin the process of creating a customized solution. In the business of foundation stabilization since 1988, Cantsink provides engineered support that can be installed in a matter of days with minimal disruption to landscaping to determine whether or not your foundation needs repair.

     Trusted and endorsed by building professionals who know its record for foundation repair, Cantsink uses underground supports that level and stabilize homes of every age and size with customized solutions.  Cantsink helical piers are environmentally friendly and add no significant weight to the home’s footprint.

  Homeowners’ peace of mind comes with knowing their investment in their house is protected from shifting soil conditions that cause concrete foundations to sink. For many people, their home is the largest financial commitment they will ever make. Foundation repairs from Cantsink ensure that they will be able to enjoy that investment for decades.

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What are Retaining Wall Blocks?

Retaining wall blocks and retaining walls serve a dual purpose in landscape design, one decorative and the other functional.

  Although retaining walls can be built from concrete or timber, most are constructed with building blocks made to mirror or complement the character of the home and surrounding property accents. While block retaining walls provide attractive visual enhancement for landscape features, they also are important to preventing erosion and holding soil in place for plants. Especially on lots with steep slopes and areas around rivers, streams and lakes, retaining walls help create stable display areas for shrubs and flowers, protect water quality and provide staging for attractive landscape elements.

  Like any other structures, however, retaining walls can be susceptible to shifting soils and water infiltration. This undermines the stability of the wall and can ultimately cause the blocks to crack, separate, or become dislodged.

  That’s why firm foundation support is important to creating retaining walls that stay level and intact year after year. Soil pressure behind the retaining wall exerts pressure on the blocks and the wall must be properly designed to withstand this weight pressing against it. Cantsink’s expert staff can assess and design proper supports for retaining walls, accounting for soil type, building materials, pressure exerted and other key factors.

  Experienced engineers at Cantsink know exactly what will make the wall secure and durable using patented helical piles that install underneath retaining wall blocks for invisible reinforcement.

  Cantink’s helical piles also can restore crumbling walls to strength and alignment. Installation can be done with minimal disturbance to landscaping. Once in place, homeowners can be assured of strength and beauty that will protect their property values for many years in the future.

   All the rain generated in the recent El Niño weather pattern may have undermined some retaining walls with downpours they were not designed to withstand. Once breached, a cracked wall will not revert to its former strength without intervention and added support because water will continue to seep through cracks and pressure points will widen them.

  Cantsink’s friendly experts will come to the site with one call. They have the necessary expertise to assess the damage and begin the cost-effective process to restoring a block retaining wall to lasting stability.

  Other landscape features can suffer from sinking or shifting soil, as well as erosion from excessive rainfall. Decks, porches, pools, patios and gazebos all carry special weight pressures and rely on proper alignment to maintain their appeal and serve their purpose.

  Cantsink’s patented helical piles can support or restore any of these property features to lasting function and aesthetic appeal.  Experienced staff engineers have worked with all types of soil, weather conditions, structural requirements and special circumstances. And Cantsink solutions are very affordable.

  Call today or click here to set an appointment with Cantsink professionals to assess the signs of stress on your block retaining walls or other property structures. They can recommend a cost-effective, customized repair that will keep your features secure, properly aligned and attractive for the years ahead.

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My House is Settling

residential foundation settling - alpharetta - cantsink

At first the signs may have seemed innocuous: floors that felt oddly uneven, tiny cracks in foundation cement and interior drywall, or doors that stick and are racked unevenly in the frame. Then, the cracks got bigger and more cracks appeared, or windows wouldn’t open all the way. Finally, you noticed water seeping under the house from the widening foundation cracks and realized: My house is settling.

  Maybe the problems came on slowly, or appeared suddenly in the wake of a rainy season.   Any number of factors can cause a home’s foundation to settle and crack, and a homeowner can’t always know when those conditions are present.

  The presence of improperly compacted backfill soils under the house, for example, can create conditions that undermine the foundation. Homes close to bodies of water such as lakes, streams or rivers also are at high risk because of higher moisture content in the soil. Water patterns that builders may not have foreseen during construction could wash away protective layers of soil around or under the house allowing intrusion that

residential foundation new construction alpharetta cantsink

causes the foundation to sink and you may notice your house is settling.

  Finally, tree roots can silently create problems under a foundation, either by growth and extension of a healthy tree’s root system under the home or the biodegradation of a root system from a tree that died or was cut down.

  The important thing to know is you can stop the sinking and restore the house to structural alignment for good with just one call to Cantsink.

  Cantsink’s friendly experts will come to your house and assess the damage. With an inspection of the property and strategic soil samples, they can identify the trouble spots and recommend a permanent, cost-effective solution.

  Working with our engineers, Cantsink experts can devise a concrete lifting plan using our patented helical piles that will stabilize the foundation and keep it sound for decades. Cantsink’s ICC-certified helical piles are bored with minimal disruption to landscaping into the ground below your foundation’s weak spots to lift and secure it.

  Because these piles are made of steel, they are impervious to moisture and withstand any climate or soil conditions that arise. Please note that Cantsink does not perform anti-moisture sealing inside the foundation itself. Best of all, Cantsink’s solid underpinning is virtually impossible to detect once installed.

  Trusted and endorsed by building professionals who know its long record for lasting foundation repair, Cantsink can level and stabilize homes of every age and size. Its customized solutions use no chemicals and add no significant weight to the home’s footprint. Cantsink protects property value with easy, economical repairs guaranteed to last and prevent your house from settling.

  If you suspect your house is sinking, don’t wait until the damage is undeniable. One call to Cantsink can pinpoint problems, create a permanent, cost-effective solution and get the installation done within a week, once the analysis and engineering are complete. When answers are that easy, there’s no reason to wait.

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What is Underpinning?

 Homes that exhibit signs of sinking or shifting foundations need underpinning to stop the structural distress that results from the changing structural support altering weight loads in the foundation.

  Underpinning lifts the foundation back to its original alignment, restoring weight distributions in the walls and beams to their fundamental function.

  Any number of conditions can cause foundation sinking, including unsuitable soil, water damage from excessive rain or subsurface moisture that often occurs in areas near bodies of water such as lakes or streams. The signs are easy to identify including fissures in the foundation wall, cracked or crumbling cement, sagging or uneven floors and porch steps that tilt or split apart. Diagonal cracks in drywall and windows or doors that become misaligned in their frames also indicate a sinking foundation.

  2016’s El Niño rains may cause or accelerate foundation settling and undermine a previously unaffected foundation. Sudden downpours create unanticipated runoff that can saturate soil and cause it to shift in unexpected ways. Water patterns that builders may not have foreseen during construction could wash away protective layers of soil around or under the house allowing intrusion that causes the foundation to sink.

  Underpinning with Cantsink’s patented helical piles provides an easy, economical solution that is permanent, virtually undetectable and easy to install. Cantsink piers bore easily into the ground with standard construction equipment to depths where soil is firmly compact and water intrusion cannot undermine stability.

  Homeowners who see the signs of a sinking foundation can call Cantsink for a free assessment from a friendly company expert. Once the need for underpinning is established, Cantsink engineers come to the home for a more thorough examination of conditions under and around the foundation. Then, Cantsink engineers create a customized remediation plan designed especially for that site.

  They determine the extent of support needed, exactly which of Cantsink’s unique products is best suited to the need and where the piles should be inserted.  Some digging is required in the spots where the underpinning will be installed, but this process produces minimal disturbance to existing landscape and is virtually undetectable once installed.

  Not only does the underpinning restore a home to its proper alignment, it prevents any further disruption. The house will remain in alignment for decades and retain its resale value over time.

  Cantsink underpinning also works to restore and protect other property structures including porches, stoops, decks, patios, retaining walls, gazebos and swimming pools.   

  Cantsink’s customized solutions can fix these problems discreetly, accurately, and cost-effectively. Once Cantsink’s easily installed helical piers are in place well below ground and the installation crew is gone, only the homeowner will know the lasting protection is there. Cantsink guarantees its products and has been creating secure foundations with underpinning since 1988.

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