Choosing The Best Foundation Repair Services
Over the years, many homeowners have experienced the frustration of foundation problems and the costly repairs that correcting them entails. It has been said that 90% of all foundation issues and problems are attributed to three causes:
- Compacted soil loosens and settles during construction causing the foundation to move
- Erosion of soil above retaining walls and on hillsides results sliding or slumping
- Soil shrinkage and swelling
It is important to remember that over time, environmental and soil conditions surrounding a home’s foundation may create specific problems that need to be corrected by a professional foundation repair service.
Foundation Problem Indicators
Anytime you suspect you are having foundation problems, the safety and stability of your home is at risk. It may also affect the resale value of the property should you decide to put it up for sale. The following are 10 signs that indicate the presence of foundation problems:
- Cracked and/or displaced moldings.
- Cracks in bricks (both inside and out).
- Door, garage door, and window frame separation.
- Doors and windows do not close and open properly.
- Floor, floor tile, and foundation cracks.
- Gaps between ceilings or floors and walls.
- Sloping and uneven floors.
- Wall bowing and cracking.
- Wall rotation.
- Walls separating from the structure.
If you have noticed any of the above or a combination of these indicators, you should consider contacting some professional foundation repair services.
Repair Solutions
There are numerous foundation repair contractors who provide solutions for homeowners that are experiencing the issues listed above. The solutions that these contractors provide have been designed, developed, and tested by geotechnical and structural engineers in order to meet domestic and international standards. The most common solutions include:
- Crawl space repair
- Foundation settlement repair
- Foundation wall stabilization
- Foundation wall straightening
- Mud jacking
- Street creep repair
Undergoing foundation repair is an extremely costly and time-consuming affair. It requires a significant amount of excavation around the home, mounting the structure on supports, constructing the new foundation, and then placing the structure back on it.
Additional Considerations
Every foundation issue can be attributed to soil conditions surrounding the home. When that soil loosens, water is allowed to penetrate into basements and crawl spaces. Eventually, foundation repair will be needed to correct the situation. Both new and old foundations alike are subject to foundation problems. So it is important to have permanent solutions applied in order to prevent any future problems from developing. The first step to creating a strong structure is to ensure that the foundation of it is problem-free.
Choosing From Foundation Repair Services
Since there are so many companies and contractors that specialize in foundation repair, the task of choosing the right one can be extremely challenging and even be a bit frustrating for the homeowner. The key is to interview several certified contractors who have a lengthy track record of experience and satisfied clients. If you start searching 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 that you select will most likely start by conducting an inspection in order to pinpoint 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 for how to repair the issue and provide you with a FREE estimate or quote of what the repair work is going to cost. Once you have a list of several contractors, you can make a well-informed decision so that the job is done properly and your problems are solved.
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