Foundation Repair Blog

A solid foundation is of utmost importance for any structure, whether it’s a one-story ranch home or a 14-floor skyscraper. No house or building, regardless of how seemingly impregnable, will survive for very long if the foundation is in bad condition. And no matter how small the job might seem, it’s well worth it to call in a professional to handle the workload. In this post, we’ll look at three reasons why you should hire a contractor to take care of foundation repair.

1. Professional Contractors Know What They’re Doing: A contractor that is experienced in repairing foundations obviously knows what they are doing. If you decide to go this home improvement project alone, particularly if you have no experience with repairing foundations, you run the serious risk of putting both the residents of your house and the house itself in danger. With a professional doing the job, they’ll be able to go through the repair process seamlessly without jeopardizing the health and safety of the inhabitants of the home.
2. You Could Save a Lot of Money in The Long Run: If you take on a foundation repair project on your own and don’t know what you’re doing, there’s a good chance you’ll end up spending far more money than you need to. With a professional contractor, they’ll get the job done right the first time, thus preventing you from spending money on any other extra repairs or unforeseen costs. They’ll also know what supplies to use to save you money and help you stay within your budget.
3. They’ll Leave You With a Finished Product That Lasts For Years: A seasoned foundation repair contractor knows how to build something structurally sound. They will repair your foundation in a way that leaves it in sturdy condition for many years to come. If you try to do this repair yourself, you may not have the resources and knowledge needed create a foundation that will stay in excellent shape for the long-term.

Looking for a contractor? Contact us today!

If you have seen cracks in your home’s slab foundation, or you have begun to notice hills and valleys in your home’s floors, then you may be worried that your home might have foundation damage. Your first instinct after coming to this realization may be to ignore the problem due to the potentiality of needing costly repairs; however, this is a mistake. Here are just a few of the reasons why it is critical that you have your foundation repaired as soon as possible if you believe you have foundation damage.

The Damage Will Only Get Worse

While it may be tempting to ignore the problem, or put off the repairs for a while to save money, the fact is that the damage is only going to get worse the longer you wait. Once your foundation is damaged, the damage will quickly become bigger and more expensive the longer it goes unrepaired. While it is never fun to have to spend money on home repairs, by having your home’s foundation repaired as soon as you suspect damage, you will actually be saving yourself money in the long-run by preventing more extensive repairs, particularly if you are able to catch the problem early.

It Can Cause Additional Damage

Not only will damage to your foundation get worse over time, but foundation damage that is left unrepaired can also cause extensive structural damage throughout your home. From cracking and bowing walls, to misaligned doors and windows, a whole host of problems can be caused by not repairing a damaged foundation. In fact, if the damage goes unaddressed long enough, the very structural integrity of your home can become compromised.

As you can see, it is critical to have your foundation professionally inspected and repaired if you suspect foundation damage. Contact us to learn about the signs you can look out for indicating that your home may be in need of foundation repair.

Not all foundation contractors are created equal. When evaluating prospective foundation contractors, there are three qualities to seek to ensure the long-term stability of your building. They are accessibility, a comprehensive quotation, and timely project completion. Below is a look at each of these qualities and why they are vital to the success of your project.

1) Contractor Accessibility

Accessibility and responsiveness are vital to your project’s successful completion. You can assess a contractor’s accessibility by reading online reviews and contacting references to inquire about the contractor’s level of responsiveness. Here are some signs of an accessible foundation contractor:

• You receive your initial quotation promptly
• Your contractor arrives early or on time to meet with you
• You are able to easily reach the contractor by phone or email
• Your phone calls, texts, and email inquiries receive a swift response

2) A Comprehensive Quotation

The quotation you receive to repair or raise your foundation is a roadmap for your project’s completion. As you evaluate potential foundation contractors, make sure that you receive a comprehensive quotation that includes the following key pieces of information:

• The total cost of your project, including materials, labor, and any taxes
• A proposed timeframe for completion
• Any special tools or equipment required for the project’s completion
• A date and the signature of the contractor who provided the quote

3) Adherence to a Proposed Schedule

Foundation contractors should have a proven track record of completing projects on time or ahead of schedule. If unexpected delays should happen to arise, the contractor should contact you right away. As you compare foundation contractors, be sure to check the contractor’s references to confirm their adherence to project deadlines.

Finalizing Your Decision

In addition to exhibiting the qualities above, the foundation contractor you select should exhibit professionalism and industry experience. Whether your project is large or small, the foundation experts at Steady House Foundation Repair have the tools and resources to surpass your expectations. Please contact us to learn why we are the most trusted foundation contractor in Texas. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you are concerned about your home’s foundation, you may need a house foundation inspection. What are some common causes of foundation problems? According to the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, many parts of Texas have clay soils. This type of soil is affected by changes in moisture content and will shrink and swell, causing the foundation to move. Other factors that affect your foundation include design practices, the deterioration of building materials, slope instability, or landscaping practices.

The inspection process typically begins by meeting with a foundation company representative. This meeting is an opportunity for you to ask questions and express your concerns about the foundation. The contractor will then evaluate the exterior of your home. This includes checking your foundation elevations. The measurements of your foundation elevations will help the contractor determine whether the foundation is out of level. The contractor will also be looking for foundation cracks, damaged walls, doors or windows that are out of alignment, and any other signs of sinking or cracking.

If your home was built using piers and beams, the contractor will inspect the crawl space under your home. The contractor will examine your piers, beams and joists to see if they are wet or rotted. He will also be looking for signs that the crawl space is damp or musty. If so, you may have a foundation drainage problem, or a plumbing issue that needs attention.

The foundation inspection contractor will also check for damage inside of your home. He or she will be looking for cracks in ceilings, walls and floors. The contractor will also take measurements to determine if your foundation is out of level and to what degree. Once the inspection has been completed, the inspection contractor will discuss the findings with you and make recommendations about what, if any, foundation repairs are needed.

If you are concerned or have questions about your house’s foundation, contact us. We are here to help.

A pier and beam foundation is a type of foundation in which piers are placed deep within the soil, and beams are laid across the piers to carry the weight of a house. The piers for these foundations can be made out of either concrete or wood, and they have been a popular type of residential foundation for many years due to their strength, stability, and due to the fact that raised foundations make it easy to add additional plumbing and electrical underneath a home down the road. However, even though pier and beam foundations are a sturdy foundation option, over time foundation damage can occur. If you have discovered foundation damage in your home and you have a pier and beam foundation, you may be wondering what caused this damage; here are a few of the most common causes of pier and beam foundation damage.

Insufficient Drainage

One of the most common culprits of damage to pier and beam foundations is improper drainage. If you do not have sufficient drainage under your home, rainwater and other moisture can accumulate there. This can not only cause water damage to your piers, but it can also cause the soil underneath your home to shift which can further destabilize your foundation. If you have ever noticed standing water in the crawl space underneath your home, you should consider having drainage added to prevent future damage. Overall, moisture is deadly to foundations, and you should consider having your foundation inspected if your crawl space floods, or if you notice excessive moisture underneath your home.

Insect Damage

Another common cause of damage to pier and beam foundations is insects. Termites, carpenter ants, and other pests can take root in your crawl space and cause damage to your piers and beams, causing critical damage that can threaten the structural integrity of your home. This makes it imperative that you regularly inspect your crawl space for signs of pests, and that you call an exterminator and a foundation inspector if you notice carpenter ants or termites in and around your home.

It is important that when you have a damaged pier and beam foundation repaired that you know what the cause of the damage was, as this will allow you to address the cause of the problem. If you do not address the cause of the foundation damage, you will be likely to encounter foundation damage again in the near future. Contact us to learn more about pier and beam foundations including how you will know when your foundation is in need of repair.

While most home’s foundations will settle over time, additional factors such as soil erosion and tree roots can compound these problems and cause severe foundation damage. When this damage becomes significant enough it can cause cracking in your home’s walls and ceiling, and it can begin to negatively impact the structure of your home. When this happens, it is important to hire a qualified house leveling contractor to level your house. Yet, how will you know when your home’s foundation needs to be leveled? Here are a few of the signs you can look out for in your home indicating that your home may need to be leveled.

Sticking Windows and Doors

In addition to cracks in your walls, another common sign of foundation problems that you can look out for is sticking windows and doors. If you are suddenly having problems opening the windows and doors in your home, this could be a sign that your foundation is uneven and that your home is no longer level, which is making it difficult to use your windows and doors. Thusly, if you are having issues with sticking windows and doors in your home, you should consider contacting a foundation specialist.

Your Chimney is Unstable

Another common sign of foundation problems is chimney damage. If your chimney shares a foundation with the rest of your home, then damage to your home’s foundation could result in an unstable chimney. If your chimney is leaning or has severe cracking, this is likely a sign of foundation damage.

Uneven Flooring

If you suspect foundation damage in your home, you should also check to see if your floors are uneven. If your floors were once even but suddenly seem to slant, or there are hills in your flooring, you likely have foundation damage. If you are unsure whether or not your floors are level you can purchase a cheap level from your hardware store, or you could even place a marble on your floor and see if it rolls dramatically as if it is on a hill.

Contact us to learn more about how you can tell if you have foundation damage in your home as well as to schedule a foundation inspection.

If upon inspecting the exterior of your home you notice that there are noticeable cracks in your slab foundation, then you may be wondering whether or not you have foundation damage. While many homeowners may be quick to dismiss these cracks as signs of their home settling, it is important that you determine whether or not you may have foundation damage so that you can have the damage repaired before it gets worse. Fortunately, there are signs you can look for throughout your home which would indicate foundation damage. Here is a quick overview of the most common signs of foundation damage.

Cracked and Bowed Walls

A clear sign of foundation damage is if you notice cracking or bowing in any of your interior or exterior walls. This is usually indicative of your foundation shifting which is putting pressure on the structure of your house, resulting in this damage. Over time, foundation damage can affect the structure of your home, making it important that you have your foundation inspected if you discover this kind of wall damage in your home.

Crooked Doors and Windows

If foundation damage continues to affect the structure of your home, this can also cause your doors and windows to no longer hang properly. You may then notice that there are large gaps in your door frames, and you may even find that you suddenly have a hard time closing your windows and doors all of a sudden. This usually indicates severe foundation damage that will need immediate repair.

Uneven or Sagging Floors

Another clear sign of foundation damage is sagging or uneven flooring. Assuming your floors were once level, you should not suddenly notice slopes or hills in your flooring. However, if walking across a room is now like walking across uneven terrain outside, then this is a clear indicator that you have serious foundation problems that will need to be repaired as soon as possible.

Ultimately, if you have a suspicion that you may have foundation damage, it is best to have your foundation professionally inspected, and if necessary, repaired. Even if you are unsure if there is damage, having your foundation inspected will be in your best interest as catching the damage early can save you time and money in the long-run. Contact us to learn more about how you can tell if you have foundation damage as well as to schedule an inspection.

If you believe that your home may be suffering from foundation damage, then you may be understandably worried about what this could mean for your home, and how extensive the damage may be. The first thing you will want to do is to consult a foundation repair specialist who can inspect your home and help you to determine what the best course of action would be. However, if you have never worked with a foundation contractor before, how will you know what company to work with? Here are a few tips to help you find a reputable foundation repair specialist in your area.

Research Local Contractors

Your first step when looking for a foundation repair specialist in your area will be to research your options online. Look to see what companies are in your area, how long each one has been in business, and look at the quality of their reviews online to help you begin to compile a list of companies you may feel comfortable working with.

Ask for Referrals

Another great way to find foundation contractors in your area is to consider asking for referrals. If the houses in your neighborhood were all built during the same era, it is likely that you are not the only one who has experienced foundation problems. Consider asking neighbors if they have had foundation problems, and if so, who they worked with and whether they would recommend them. You should also consider asking for referrals from friends and relatives, as word-of-mouth is often the best way to find reliable contractors.

Talk to a Few Contractors

Once you have compiled a list of a few potential contractors you would consider working with, you should call them up to ask about their services. You can tell a lot about a company by the way their customer service staff treats you during this initial call. Representatives who are kind, attentive, and knowledgeable of the problems that plague foundations in your area are indicative of a company that will be easy to work with, and that will know how to address your home’s foundation problems.

Following these steps can help you to find a reputable contractor who can walk you through the process of repairing your home’s foundation. If you live in the Dallas/ Fort Worth, TX area, consider contacting us to find out how we can help you repair your home’s foundation.