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The foundation of your home is one of the essential parts of the structure. It is responsible for supporting the weight of the house and everything in it! Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the foundation is in good condition and not susceptible to problems. There are ways to prevent foundation problems, and this article will discuss five of the most effective methods.

1. Improve Drainage around the Foundation
One of the best ways to prevent foundation problems in expansive clay soil environments is to improve the drainage around the foundation. Installing gutters and downspouts to direct water away from the foundation and grading the ground around the foundation to slope away from the house can help. Additionally, you can install a French drain around the foundation to help keep the area dry.

2. Install Foundation Vents to Allow Air Circulation and Prevent Moisture Buildup
Another way to prevent foundation problems is to install foundation vents. These vents allow air circulation and help prevent moisture buildup in the foundation. Additionally, they can help to keep the foundation cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which can help to prevent the foundation from shifting.

3. Use a Foundation Sealer to Help Waterproof the Foundation
One way to help waterproof the foundation is to use a foundation sealer. This sealer will help to prevent water from seeping into the foundation and causing damage. It can also help prevent mold and mildew from growing in the foundation.

4. Install Expansion Joints to Allow for Movement of the Foundation
Another way to prevent foundation problems is to install expansion joints. These joints allow for movement of the foundation and help to prevent cracking. Additionally, they can help absorb some of the stress placed on the foundation.

5. Regularly Monitor the Foundation for Any Signs of Movement or Cracking
Finally, it is essential to regularly monitor the foundation for any signs of movement or cracking. This can be done by hiring a foundation contractor to perform an annual inspection. Additionally, you can check the foundation monthly for any cracks or movement.

Final Word
In conclusion, there are several ways to prevent foundation problems in expansive clay soil environments. Some of these include improving drainage around the foundation, installing foundation vents, using a foundation sealer, and installing expansion joints. Additionally, it is important to regularly monitor the foundation for any signs of movement or cracking. Please, do not hesitate to contact us! Our teams are also more than happy to answer any of your questions along the way.

If you have recently repaired your old or damaged foundation, you are probably thinking of how avoid additional damages and unnecessary future routine repairs. Well, you can now stop worrying as these smart tips are meant to help you keep it is as safe as possible after you are through with carrying out the repairs.

1. Install Your Gutters and Downspouts Correctly

Properly installed gutters play a huge role in preventing water damage by diverting rainwater or runoff away from the foundation. Ensure that your gutter is cleared of leaves, twigs, mud and other types of debris at all times in order to prevent clogs, especially during the rainy days.

2. Keep Your Plumbing in Check

Broken pipes, toilets or sinks that leak around or underneath your newly repaired foundation can cause more serious problems. To be on the safe side, it’s important that you have the issue fixed at the earliest possible time.

3. Invest in Good Drainage

Once you have seen to it that your gutters and downspouts are perfectly in place, you need to build a surface drainage system and/or French drain. These drains are meant to help you prevent pooling by transporting or leading water away from your home. Make sure that the drains slope away from your home for effective functionality.

4. Get Rid of Nearby Trees

Big trees and shrubs that grow near your house can cause extensive damage your foundation and water pipes with their large extending roots. Apart from causing cracks and breakages, these roots can also absorb lots of water that surround your foundation as they continue to expand, which can lead to soil instability.

The best way to ensure that your foundation is repaired and maintained the right way is by seeking the help of a professional repair company with highly qualified experts. Contact Steady House Foundation Repair today to schedule a free consultation or estimate.

When rainwater flows through your downspout, it’s essential to divert it away from your house. The water will saturate the ground near your home if you don’t divert the water. When the ground is saturated, the foundation is at risk. How do you resolve this?

Downspout Extender

One of the low-cost and easiest ways to divert the water away from your house is to install downspout extenders. Here we will discuss two types of extenders. The rigid type extender and the accordion type extender.

The Rigid Type Downspout Extender

This type of extender is made of either aluminum or plastic. The plastic versions are usually made of vinyl.

Rigid extenders are mounted on the end of the downspout elbow and secured with screws.

Optionally, remove the elbow, mount the extender on the end of the downspout, and screw it in place. This type might come with a clip. Screw the clip to the downspout in the proper position. The extender can then fold up, and the clip holds it. This allows for easy mowing and raking. Just don’t forget to lower the extender when you have finished.

Accordion Type Downspout extender

Accordion extenders are made of plastic. This type usually comes with two different size connections, one on each end. After selecting the correct size connector, screw it to the downspout elbow. If you wish, cut off the unused connector.

One advantage of the accordion extender is that it is flexible. That way, you can route it around your plants or other items.

Protect Your Foundation

As mentioned above, by not diverting rainwater away from your house, the water can saturate and erode the soil. Over time the ground saturation can cause settling and cracking of your foundation. Repairing your foundation can be expensive.

Installing downspout extenders on all your house downspouts can save you from costly foundation repairs.

More Information

Drainage correction is essential. Contact Steady House Foundation Repair the foundation repair experts and provider of a wide variety of foundation repair services and drainage systems to protect your home.

Your home is one of your most significant investments, so you want to do everything you can to protect it. That includes making sure the foundation is in good shape. If you’re considering getting a foundation repair service, you probably want to know the methods we will use to repair your foundation and whether they will be effective.

Types of Foundation Repair Methods

There are several types of foundation repair methods available to homeowners, depending on the severity and cause of the damage. Some common methods include pier and beam, slab jacking, sills and jacking systems, and injection systems.

1. Pier and Beam:

If your home’s foundation is leaning or sagging in any direction, a pier and beam might be a good option for you. Piers (or columns) will be placed along each side of the house where it needs support, and beams that span between them will hold up your house’s frame.

1. Slabjacking:

For serious foundation issues that need more support than just steel or wood beams can provide, there’s slab jacking! Rather than jacking up the whole house, this technique injects grout under the entire concrete floor so that all four sides are supported.

1. Sills and Jacking Systems:

The first step in repairing your foundation using sill and jack systems is lifting the home off its crawlspace. Then, adjustable hydraulic jacks are set beneath the house’s perimeter to gradually raise it off the ground.

After being raised far enough off the ground, new joists and a sill plate will be added beneath it before slowly lowering the building back onto its new footing until it is flush with its original height.

1. Injection Systems:

A typical injection system involves drilling holes through your foundation’s floor at strategic locations, filling those holes with high-pressure grout, and plugging them with steel sleeves.

As with most other forms of foundation repair, this method is best performed by professionals who know what they’re doing.

Signs Your Foundation Needs Repair

One common sign of foundation problems is cracked walls or floors. These cracks can be caused by various factors, including settling, soil expansion and contraction, and poor drainage. If you notice any cracks, it’s important to have them evaluated by a foundation repair specialist to determine the best course of action.

It’s also worth noting that while they may not always seem like an emergency, there are some circumstances when they do require immediate attention. For example, if water is pooling on your property because of a crack in your foundation, then this is an emergency situation that needs to be handled right away.

Professional Foundation Repair in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Area

At Steady House Foundation Repair, we provide a variety of foundation repair services to homeowners and businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We have years of experience in the field and offer competitive pricing for our residential and commercial customers.

Contact us today to schedule a repair evaluation or get your free estimate.

Homeowners who experience saturated yards or even flooded basement after a rainfall may be wondering how to achieve better drainage on their property. One of the best landscaping drainage options is a French drain. Named after Henry Flagg French, the French drain was originally created for use on farm lands. However, this type of drainage system is just as effective and easy to install on residential properties.

 

How Does it Work?

French drains are essentially trenches that collect rainwater and direct it away from the home. Typically, a perforated pipe will be laid in the trench and covered with gravel. Water seeps through the gravel, into the pipe, and is channeled to a better location such as a nearby street or low spot in the yard. As a result, the building foundation is kept dry and protected from water damage.

When is a French Drain Necessary?

If rainwater seems to collect around the house, or there is no other landscaping drainage system present, then a French drain can be a vital tool for protecting the home’s foundation. When water is not drained away from a building, it can seep into the ground around the foundation and cause long-term damage or even leak into a basement and cause flooding. French drains are an economical way to avoid expensive long-term damage and repairs, by protecting the foundation from water damage. Additionally, they can be helpful in maintaining a healthy yard or garden by preventing plant roots from becoming waterlogged.

Is a French Drain Right for Me?

If you have experienced water pooling up around your home or even flooding after a heavy rain, then installing a French drain would be a fantastic investment to protect your foundation. Or, if you would simply like to create some proactive drainage in your landscaping to prevent future issues, then a French drain can also be an effective and attractive option. To learn more about installing a French drain on your property, contact us today at Steady House Foundation Repair.

The foundation is inarguably the most important part of any building or structure. It is basically what a building or structure stands on and the better and stronger the foundation is, then the longer a particular building or structure can last. Problems with the foundation are, however, bound to arise for any reasons, which is one of any home or building owner’s worst nightmares. While this is so, they don’t need to worry and should feel free to contact us whenever such a scenario arises since we have got them covered. Our professional team is well equipped and ready to solve such problems for home and building owners and managers. Below is a list of foundation repair methods for you to choose from with the help of our team!

Piering

This method of foundation repairs constitutes the use of concrete or metal posts to salvage a foundation that may be having problems. There are different types of piers:

Helical Piers

This foundation repair method is mostly suitable for repairs in the exterior of your foundation as well as the repair of interior slabs as well as the same use in new constructions. This is one of the best methods owing to its versatility as compared to other pier types.

Concrete Piers

As suggested by the name, concrete piers repair method utilizes concrete. It is one of the most permanent ways of repairing a problematic foundation and is also very useful during the preconstruction stage of a building or structure.

Steel Piers

Steel piers basically utilize metal posts or structures in repairing foundations. They are better than the concrete piers in the sense that they consume less space when doing repairs as well as less time when installing them.

Slabjacking

This foundation repair method is commonly used when repairing buildings and structures that are constructed on a concrete slab as opposed to soil or land. Also known as concrete-lifting, the method entails drilling a pattern of holes in the area being repaired, followed by pouring a synthetic lifting solution into the holes with special tools which then lifts the area making it easy to patch the area with concrete. The method is relatively cheap and quick and has an advantage as it can also be used to repair patios and driveways, as well as other areas that utilize concrete slabs in their construction.

Call us today at Steady House Foundation Repair today!

When summer comes, the weather is usually scorching and sunny. As a result, the foundations of your house can become subject to significant changes in temperature and humidity. This can affect the structural integrity of your home and lead to expensive repairs down the line. Summertime heat can cause severe damage to your home’s foundation, including:

Cracks in Your Foundation

Concrete is a porous material that allows moisture to seep through it. It becomes brittle when exposed to the sun for extended periods, and cracks can develop. It can cause significant issues with the structure of your house if left untreated.

Shrinking Soil

In excessive heat, water evaporates from the soil and concrete, which causes shrinkage. When the soil around your foundation shrinks, it creates voids and spaces underneath your home, allowing airflow into the foundation. With increased airflow, more soil dries up, causing cracks on your foundation.

Sinking Foundation

The foundation of a house will always settle until it finds new support. It means that the longer the dryness, the more your foundation settles. The dry soil beneath your house will move, and your home’s foundation will also start moving until a new soil can support it once more. Consequently, your home’s foundation may lean toward a sinking foundation. Your foundation’s corner may therefore settle more than other areas.

Tips to Protect Your Foundation from Summer Damage

Keep it Wet

Watering the foundation is one method homeowners can use to prevent soil contractions and cracks during the summer months. You can water the soil surrounding your foundation for 15 to 20 minutes daily. Keep the hoses 6 to 18 inches far from your foundation. Your water bill may rise, but it’s a better solution than a costly foundation repair.

Repair Cracks in Your Foundation Walls

If you have cracks in your foundation, repair them as soon as possible to prevent further damage or water from entering when it rains.

Call Professionals

The foundation issue is not just a summertime problem. Your home’s foundation may also experience cracks and lose its integrity in colder weather. No matter the season or weather, foundational cracks should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. Steady House Foundation Repair in the DFW area offers you all your foundation needs, including inspections, repairs, and education throughout the process.

Contact us today to enjoy our exceptional services.

A solid and stable foundation is key to the longevity and structural integrity of your building. However, the soil type on which you build your foundation can significantly affect its strength and stability. Different soil types have varying load-bearing capacities and moisture content that impact how a foundation settles and shifts over time.

The soil type available in your area results from the local climate, topography, terrain, and plant life. The three primary soil types in Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX are clay, rocky, and sandy loam. Each type of soil has different engineering properties that can impact the performance of your foundation.

Below is an overview of how each type of soil can impact your foundation:

Clay soil

In northern Texas, there are various kinds of clay soil. These clay types have low permeability, meaning they do not drain well. They also tend to expand with water and shrink in its absence. This tendency, coupled with the extreme heat during summer in Texas, can put intense stress on foundations in the area.

At times during hot, dry summers, the clay soil in the region can shrink to the extent of shifting the position of your home’s foundation. In some neighborhoods, wet clay can push the foundation up or down, causing it to strain and incur damages.

Rock

Rocky soil occurs in various forms such as limestone, bedrock, sandstone, hard chalk, and shale. In the North Texas region, limestone is the most common type of rock. It is an ideal foundation material, characterized by high load-bearing capacity, low compressibility, and good drainage properties.

However, rock soils have their downsides. Trees may not always have enough soil depth to flourish. Houses built on slopes might require bracing for safety and extra support, especially if the soil has high shale content, which may cause sliding.

Sandy Loam

Sandy loam is often a combination of clay, sand, and silt. It is dark and feels dry, crumbly, and soft in your fingers. Unlike rock or clay, loam soils maintain and drain water at a proportional rate. It is the ideal soil for supporting building foundations and flourishing tree gardens.

The only concern of foundations erected on loamy soils is the occasional erosion. However, you can prevent this by planting vegetation to hold it in place.

Address Your Foundation Concerns

Early detection of foundation repairs can save you money and aggravation. If your foundation has an issue, do not wait until it goes out of hand, our expert team is ready to help you.

At Steady House Foundation Repair, we specialize in the slab, pier, and beam foundation repair in the Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX area. We can help you with your simple foundation repairs up to the most complex. Contact us today to set up an appointment for a consultation.

Summer in Texas can be described in one word: brutal.

Summertime in Texas, even in the Northern parts, can range in the triple-digits (100+ degrees) for at least three to four months out of the year, and sometimes longer. The hot, dry weather can wreak havoc on your foundation, and it can be a long term cause of more problems when it comes to the structure of your home.

The following are some effects of this hot, dry Texas summer weather on your home’s foundation:

Causes Cracks in Foundations:

The constant heat can cause the moisture that’s in your foundation to evaporate through the course of the hottest and driest months of the year. Your foundation and the beams supporting your home may respond by developing cracks. Your house can slowly start to sink over time if the issue is not addressed appropriately. Each time your house resettles, it can sink lower and lower unit you have a noticeable problem.

Causes Soil to Shrink:

The constant dry weather and lack of moisture can cause the soil around your foundation to shrink, which leaves more of your foundation exposed to airflow. The more airflow that can get to your foundation, the more chances there are that your foundation will crack throughout the year’s hottest months. Some types of soil are more likely to shrink faster than others, but all soils can shrink in some manner.

How Do I Protect My Home From Summer Weather?

If you are looking to protect your foundation during the hottest summer months in Texas, you will have to take some steps to ensure that your foundation remains in good shape throughout the entire dry season. The following are some tips to help ensure that you are protecting the foundation of your home against cracks, sinking, and other disrepair:

• purchase a sprinkler system to help ensure that there is proper moisture in the soil surrounding your home
• be sure to water your lawn for short durations of time – 10 – 15 minutes is recommended for a start
• separate waterings by many hours to adequately ensure that the ground has proper time to soak up the water that’s provided to it
• doing this helps you avoid overwatering your lawn as it can cause leaks in your foundation

Following these tips can help keep your home’s foundation protected throughout Texas’s driest and hottest summer months. A small increase in your water bill can save you a lot of costs in repairs of the foundation of your home in the future.

Call Steady House Foundation Repair to Check Your Foundation:

If you have you feel that your home’s foundation may need additional care, please feel free to call us at Steady House Foundation Repair. We are here to help you organize the maintenance on your foundation and help you schedule your first appointment. Contact Us today at Steady House Foundation Repair in order to get your first appointment scheduled. We will provide you with a full continuum of services that will meet the needs of your home and your specific type of foundation.

In the late 40s and 50s, pier and beam foundations were the standard choice for home construction in central Texas. However, with the growth of the suburbs in the 60s and 70s, slab foundations became the norm. Although not as common today, pier and beam foundations remain in use in some parts of Texas.

Read on to learn what pier and beam foundations are and how they work.

What is a pier and beam foundation?

A pier and beam foundation is a type of foundation that consists of concrete piers that support beams. The beams, in turn, support the weight of the house.

How does a pier and beam foundation work

The piers that make up a pier and beam foundation are made of concrete and placed at intervals around the house perimeter and the interior if needed. The masons then place the beams, which support the weight of the house, on top of the piers. The space between the ground and the bottom of the beams, called crawl space, is typically left open.

Benefits of pier and beam foundations

• Stability on soil: Pier and beam foundations are not as susceptible to soil movement as slab foundations. This stability occurs because the weight of the house is supported by the piers, not by the soil itself.
• Drainage: Pier and beam foundations also allow better drainage than slab foundations. The space left under the house allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Easier to repair: If there is a problem with a pier or beam, it is usually easier to mend than a slab foundation. The crawl space left behind allows access to the faulty piers and beams underneath the house.

Vulnerabilities of pier and beam foundations

• Foundation Settlement: If a pier settles, it can cause the beam it is supporting to shift and crack. However, the good news is that the settling rate of pier and beam foundations is slower than slab foundations.
• Moisture: Because of the open crawl space, moisture can enter the home through the foundation, leading to mold and mildew problems.
• Critters and insects: Open crawl spaces also provide easy access for pests and insects.

 

At Steady House Foundation Repair, we provide foundation repair services for pier and beam and slab foundations in  Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas area. We help out from straightforward foundation level up to the most complex. Our teams are also more than happy to answer any of your questions along the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.