Foundation Repairs
Cracked floors, cracked walls and and separation of the chimney from the house are sure signs of house foundation problems. Other signs include uneven floors , a leaky basement and sudden problems with closing doors and windows shut.
Trying to fix the cracks, putting in new bricks or patching the concrete will not solve the problem. This is because the issues you see are just surface problems and the actual trouble spot has not been addressed. Poor drainage, leaks and dry soil can all contribute to foundation damage. Once the foundation of your home has been affected, merely fixing these symptoms will not repair your home’s foundation.
With a full foundation repair, your home is actually lifted up from its sloping position and put upright using helical piers, concrete piers or other methods. These are long-term solutions that keep your house’s property value up. Otherwise, doors and windows may get stuck and become unable to open. If this begins to happen you need to call a professional company who can do foundation repairs right away.
Even the Home Maintenance for Dummies book warns the average do-it-yourself home owner to not ignore signs of foundation problems. “Major cracks, on the other hand, indicate substantial movement and can undermine the home’s structural integrity. Therefore, you can’t just ignore cracks in a foundation or concrete slab.” The book states that if you notice many smaller cracks or cracks that are larger than 1/4th of an inch wide, you should have your house examined.
Because your house’s foundation is the rock-bottom part of your home, it is one of the most important to keep in good condition. When you get piers installed in your home, you are supporting it for decades into the future. The piers give your home the stability of a skyscraper because generally home foundations are shallow compared to skyscraper foundations, but with helical piers, you actually are bringing the support of the house way down into the ground which gives your home much increased support.
The good news is that if you have waited to repair your home, all is not lost. After structural work to your home is done, windows and doors that were jammed become normal again, floors become level and with a non-intrusive installation of piers, you will have everything back in working condition. A typical full foundation repair takes about 5 to 20 days.
Structural engineers that inspect your home will dictate that you need helical piers over concrete piers or vice-versa. Depending on the soil conditions of the home location.
If you’re in Northern California you can contact Montclair Construction (based in Oakland, California) for a free consultation on your house to determine the best method repairs for your property. Call (510) 547-2457 or or just schedule an inspection for a free quote.