How Street Creep Affects Your Home And What You Can Do About It

If you’ve never heard of “street creep,” you’re not alone. It’s not exactly a household term, but it’s something that can cause some serious issues with your home’s foundation. At Quality Waterproofing, we’ve seen our fair share of street creep problems in the St. Louis area, and we’re here to help homeowners understand what it is, what causes it, and how it can affect your home. Let’s break it down.

So, What Exactly is Street Creep?

Street creep, sometimes called “driveway creep,” happens when concrete streets expand and contract with temperature changes. As the street shifts, it pushes against your driveway, which then puts pressure on your home’s foundation. Over time, this can lead to some pretty major structural issues if not addressed.

What Causes Street Creep?

Street creep mainly happens because of:

• Temperature Fluctuations: Concrete expands when it’s hot and contracts when it’s cold, which causes movement over time.
  
  

• Inadequate Expansion Joints: Streets without enough expansion joints, or ones with worn-out joints, are more likely to experience street creep.
  
  

• Soil Movement: Changes in soil moisture—like when it’s really wet or really dry—can also play a role.
  
  

  
  

How Street Creep Impacts Your Home

Here’s where street creep can start to make trouble:

• Foundation Cracks: The pressure from moving concrete can cause cracks in your foundation.

  
  

• Misaligned Doors and Windows: As your foundation shifts, you might notice doors and windows that are hard to open or close properly.

  
  

• Basement Wall Damage: The walls in your basement can start to bow or tilt due to the extra pressure.

  
  

• Uneven Floors: Floors might become uneven, which isn’t just a tripping hazard—it can also make your home look a little off.

  
  

• Decreased Property Value: Visible street creep damage can lower your home’s market value.

How We Fix Street Creep at Quality Waterproofing

At Quality Waterproofing, we’ve got a tried-and-true method to tackle street creep and prevent further damage:

• Initial Assessment: We start with a thorough inspection to see how much damage has been done and figure out the best way to fix it.
  
  

• Expansion Joint Installation: We make sure there are enough expansion joints in your driveway to handle the movement and reduce pressure on your foundation.
  
  

• Foundation Repair: If your foundation has been affected, we use specialized techniques to repair cracks and reinforce the structure.
  
  

• Monitoring: After the repair, we suggest regular check-ups to keep an eye on things.
  
  
  

Preventing Street Creep

While we’re here to fix any damage, preventing street creep is always the best approach. Here are a few tips to help you out:

• Keep Water Away: Make sure your drainage system directs water away from your foundation.
  
  

• Maintain Your Driveway: Regular upkeep of your driveway can help prevent street creep.
  
  

• Watch for Early Signs: Stay alert for early signs of street creep, like small cracks or misaligned doors and windows.
  
  
  

Wrapping It Up

Street creep might not be as well-known as other foundation issues, but it can cause serious problems for your home’s structure. Knowing what causes it and how it affects your home is the first step in dealing with it. At Quality Waterproofing, we’re committed to helping St. Louis homeowners protect their homes from street creep and other foundation issues. If you think your home might be dealing with street creep, give us a call. We’ll come out, take a look, and come up with a plan to get things back on track.