Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Maintenance Tips for Foundation Repairs

Foundation Maintenance  in Dallas
Foundation repair can be both costly and time-consuming. In order to avoid further problems, and their resulting costs, it is important to properly maintain any repairs made to foundations. In most cases, maintaining foundation repairs is easy to do and requires little more than addressing the basic factors that most often threaten a foundation's integrity. Through implementing the following simple preventative measures, any homeowner can easily maintain repairs so that future foundation problems can be avoided.

The most important factor in maintaining foundation repairs is regulating the moisture content in the surrounding soil. Soil acts like a sponge, swelling when moisture is available and shrinking when it is dry. This swelling and shrinking pattern can have many negative impacts on foundations. These impacts can result in problems ranging from an uneven shifting in foundations levels during wet periods to the cracking of foundation repairs during dry periods. When the ground is dry, it is important to provide adequate moisture to the soil. This can be accomplished through either an in-ground watering system or the placement of a drip hose around the perimeter spaced anywhere from 12 to 24 inches from the foundation.

While adequate soil moisture is important for maintaining foundations repairs, too much water can cause several long-term problems. For this reason, extensive surface water should not be allowed to collect around a foundation and should be drained away a quickly as possible. This can be accomplished by installing proper gutters and downspouts that discharge water at least 5 feet from the structure's edge, sloping all surrounding soils away from a foundation or redirecting water to a nearby pond, drainage ditch or swale.

Controlling vegetation near a foundation is also vital for maintaining repairs. Large vegetation like trees can both draw moisture away from the soils around a foundation and cause damage to pipes and foundation walls through the invasion of their roots. Even smaller plants like shrubs can cause root problems if not spaced far enough from a structure's edge. The best way to avoid damage from vegetation is through installing a root barrier around the foundation's edge.

Additionally, regularly checking for leaks in plumbing lines coming through foundation walls and not allowing a structure to sit unheated for long periods of time can both help to maintain repairs. In most cases, just implementing the above simple tips can mean saving thousands of dollars in future foundation repairs.



Power Jack Foundation Repair in Dallas,Texas are the experts in advanced foundation repair throughout the DFW areas offering soil injections, mud jacking,foundation repair
as well as drainage correction for Dallas and Fort Worth residents.

Stock Photos from 123RF

Foundation Settlement Repair

Wall Shifting
A home’s foundation problems can consist of numerous issues including settling walls and footings and cracked slabs. Issues such as these can result in confused homeowners being unsure as to how to correct the issue. If the foundation is leaning, cracked, or bowing, it may be necessary to repair the foundation in order to make the building structurally sound. There are several possible ways to stabilize the foundation in order to repair any problems.

Repairs, when it comes to the foundation, are a serious undertaking and require certified and professional individuals to complete the required task. Our company guarantees that your contractor will be experienced and thoroughly knowledgeable in the realm of foundation repair and maintenance. A free inspection will be conducted before any work is done so as to ensure that the solution that is chosen is the best decision for your foundation and home.

The majority of repairs to the foundation of a home take one week or less to complete and, in some cases, a day may be all that is required. All of the foundation repair systems that we offer are accompanied by a homeowner warranty that guarantees the correct and complete repair of the problem. Problems such as buckling walls, sagging floors, and cracks in the foundation can drastically deteriorate the value of the home and make your pride in your home dwindle.

Another problem that can cause significant foundation damage is expansive soil which can be difficult to correct if you do not know the proper steps to take. It is common for certain soils to expand when combined with moisture, which can lead to hydrostatic pressure applied to the walls of the foundation. This can cause the walls to bow inwards and crack. Expansion can also lead to the upwards heaving of the walls and interior floors which can cause cracking of the drywall. Dry weather can also affect the soil, making it shrink during dry periods, leading to the sinking of the foundation. The sinking and settling of the foundation can cause the cracking of stucco, brick, or other exterior home finishings. This may also lead to windows and doors sticking, making opening and closing a challenge.

Regardless of the type of foundation problem that is being undergone by the home, our contractors will be able to inspect the home’s foundation so that you will be aware of the problem and better able to fix it.


Power Jack
has been in business for over 15 years and is trusted throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in customer service and doing the job right. Call today for a no obligation quote and see if foundation repair is even a choice you need to consider. 1-866-638-PJFR

What to look for if you are having foundation issues

If you suspect that there may be problems or weaknesses with your foundation, some of the symptoms to watch for are noticeable creaks in the walls from settling, visible cracks in the foundation, or leaning foundation walls. These are all signs that serious repair work may need to be done in order to restore property values and save the home. Some of these tell-tale signs can be found in the basement of your home, or in attic and bedroom walls.

Foundation Warning Signs
Wall failure can definitely be a sign of trouble beneath your home, and reinforcement may be one method to save your walls. Soil erosion and moisture can cause the walls to swell, and can be a sign that the same thing is happening underneath your home. Always have your home looked at by a certified inspector before taking action to repair it, if you've seen these warning signs. Leveling your foundation is something that can be done by professional contractors with experience doing these kinds of home repairs.

Keeping good records of the damage signs you see is important for insurance purposes, allowing you the chance to get reimbursed for some or most of the work. This is especially important if you have renters who depend on you to keep the home in good working order. Foundation issues are not limited to older homes only, but homes less than fifty years old can also develop foundation issues due to excess moisture and defects in the construction of the home or foundation.

In most places, you can have your home inspected by a certified inspector for a nominal fee. Ignoring the problem is likely one of the worst things a homeowner can do, as these defects in the foundation can only get worse over time. In addition, making repairs later can cost much more, sometimes thousands of dollars. If you're in the market for a house, the inspections needed to clarify for you whatever issues the house may have before you buy can be invaluable, keeping you from making a costly mistake. While on the surface, a home can appear to be completely stable, closer inspection will demonstrate the real condition of the home.

After the necessary repairs have been made, a solid foundation that has been properly restored should last for years to come before any further repairs of a serious nature need to be made again.



Power Jack has been in business for over 15 years and is trusted throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in customer service and doing the job right. Call today for a no obligation quote and see if foundation repair is even a choice you need to consider. 1-866-638-PJFR


Stock Photos from 123RF