Homeowners should do their homework to make an educated decision before choosing a contractor for foundation repair. There are many questions homeowners should ask a contractor to find out how much experience they have and their reputation in the community.
A reputable company will have a team of workers specializing in different aspects of the job, so tasks are divided and completed quickly. This allows for a fast turnaround without disrupting your daily routine.
Experience
A home foundation repair is a significant investment, so you want to make sure that you hire a contractor with experience and knowledge of local soil conditions. Getting a foundation inspection by a structural engineer before hiring someone is also a good idea. A structural engineer from Structured Foundation Repairs Houston for example, can inspect all unconcealed areas of your basement, crawl space, and foundation to determine the extent of damage and any unseen obstacles that may affect your repairs.
During a free evaluation, a qualified foundation repair contractor can determine whether your basement needs support and what repair would be necessary. Based on the review, they can suggest a repair plan, including helical piers, push piers, and wall anchors. These steel, helical-shaped piers fasten to the end of your home’s plates and provide lateral support for bowing walls.
They can also install timber pile support systems, carbon fiber products, and vapor barriers to control moisture and prevent water from entering the home. Additionally, they can install basement waterproofing solutions to protect the area from excessive moisture and humidity. They use advanced technologies that are faster, more efficient, and less costly than traditional methods for repairing basement issues.
Reputation
When hiring a foundation repair company, you want one with a good reputation. Whether it’s for basement waterproofing, crawl space moisture control, or concrete raising, you’ll want to find one that’s been around for at least a few years and has a proven track record of customer satisfaction. Look for testimonials on their website and ask about the warranty they offer for their work.
The right contractor should also be able to provide several solutions for your specific problem. For example, if your basement wall is bowing, they may recommend carbon fiber mesh straps embedded in the basement walls. These straps have both tensile and shear strength and help to stabilize the bowing wall. They’re an alternative to traditional methods such as steel I beam or wall anchors, which are more invasive and require drilling into the foundation.
A collapsed basement wall can be a disaster for your family and home. It can cause flooring to give way, doors, and windows to no longer open or close, and gaps to develop in trim work. Thankfully, basement foundation repair contractors specialize in the work that can correct these issues and keep your home safe. They can seal and repair cracks, stop water intrusion, keep soil gasses like radon from entering (although radon can enter through other means such as holes in the slab), and keep your home’s basement, crawlspace, and living area healthy with better air quality.
License
When repairing foundation cracks, you must find and hire a licensed contractor. This will ensure they follow all safety guidelines and have the expertise to perform this repair work safely. Additionally, a license will give you peace of mind that the state has vetted the contractor and has the proper insurance to cover any damages.
The underlying soil on which your home is built is constantly shifting and changing. In some cases, it can cause severe damage to your house’s foundation. Changes in soil moisture, weakened clay, and concrete issues can all lead to heaving and settlement. This is particularly true for homes built on expansive soils.
Bowing basement walls can be fixed using helical tieback or C-channel anchors drilled inside the basement wall. These anchors twist like a corkscrew to pull outward on the basement wall, which helps straighten it. The cost of this type of repair varies depending on the job’s scope and the wall’s condition.
Foundation cracks are often a sign of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. These problems may include plumbing leaks, a failing septic system, or a burst pipe. Foundation contractors can seal basement and crawl space cracks with hydraulic cement or specialized poly foam to keep groundwater and rainfall out of the area and prevent future issues.
Insurance
Homeowners’ insurance usually covers some damage to a foundation by sudden events like flooding or earthquakes. However, suppose the problem is due to homeowner negligence or natural wear and tear over time, such as a plumbing leak or water seepage from tree roots. In that case, it will probably not be covered by homeowners insurance.
The cost of a basement or crawl space foundation repair depends on the extent of the damage and the type of solution. The most expensive type is a full basement foundation, which involves more excavation and construction than other foundations. In addition, the concrete for a basement foundation needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the house and its contents.
If you have a sagging crawl space or foundation, a contractor will need to inspect the area and provide a quote for a permanent repair. Some repairs may require the assistance of a structural engineer, which can add to the project’s cost.
A reputable foundation repair company will offer a free estimate and explain the repair process. It will also provide financing options and a warranty for its work. The best companies offer customer support via email, text, and phone. For example, some offer a lifetime limited structural warranty for their piercing systems and have excellent customer support ratings.
