Over the years, many homeowners have experienced the frustration of foundation problems and the costly repairs that go into correcting them. It has been said that 90% of all foundation problems and problems are attributed to three causes:
• compacted soil loosens and settles during construction, causing foundations to shift
• soil erosion above retaining walls and on slopes resulting in slide or fall
• shrinkage and swelling of the soil
It’s important to remember that, over time, the soil and environmental conditions surrounding a home’s foundation can create specific problems that must be corrected by a professional foundation repair service.
Indicators of foundation problems
Any time you suspect you have a foundation problem, the safety and stability of your home is at risk. It can also affect the resale value of the property if you decide to put it up for sale. The following are 10 signs that indicate the presence of foundation problems:
• Broken and/or displaced moldings
• Cracks in bricks (both inside and outside)
• Separation of doors, garage doors and window frames
• Doors and windows do not close or open properly
• Cracks in floors, tiles and foundations
• Spaces between ceilings or floors and walls
• Inclined and uniform floors
• Arched and cracked walls
• Wall rotation
• Structure separation walls
If you have noticed any of the above or a combination of these indicators, you should consider contacting a professional foundation repair service.
repair solutions
There are numerous foundation repair contractors that provide solutions to homeowners experiencing the problems listed above. The solutions provided by these contractors have been designed, developed and tested by geotechnical and structural engineers to meet national and international standards. The most common solutions include:
• Crawl space repair
• Repair of foundation settlements
• Stabilization of foundation walls
• Straightening of foundation walls
• Mud removal
• Street skidding repair
Undergoing foundation repair is an extremely expensive and time-consuming affair. It requires a significant amount of excavation around the house, mounting the structure on supports, building the new foundations, and then putting the structure back on it.
Additional considerations
Every foundation problem can be attributed to the soil conditions surrounding the house. When that soil loosens, water is allowed to seep into basements and crawl spaces. Eventually, foundation repairs will be needed to correct the situation. Both new and old foundations are subject to foundation problems. Therefore, it is important to apply permanent solutions to prevent future problems from developing. The first step in creating a strong structure is to make sure the foundation is free of problems.
Choosing a Foundation Repair Contractor
Since there are so many companies and contractors that specialize in foundation repair, choosing the right one can be extremely challenging and even a little frustrating for a homeowner. The key is to interview several certified contractors who have a long history of experience and satisfied customers. If you start looking online, you will be able to compare:
• certifications and credentials
• customer reviews and/or testimonials
• services provided
• what they charge for their services
The contractor you select will most likely start with an inspection to identify what type of foundation repair is needed and where there are problems that need to be corrected. Once they have completed this step, they will make recommendations on how to fix the problem and provide you with a FREE estimate of what the repair job will cost. Once you have a list of multiple contractors, you can make an informed decision to get the job done right and your issues resolved.
