Foundation, Concrete and Earthquake Engineering

Foundation Repair Misconceptions

Are you scared that you need foundation repair because you've noticed cracks in your foundation slab? Or maybe in your basement you've seen cracks spreading through the walls? Don't panic. It's not the end of the world. Now don't misunderstand, cracks in your foundation are potentially serious. But there are also quite a few misconceptions about foundation repair. Once you sort through and better understand them, you should be able to breathe a bit easier and ease your worries.


Misconception #1 

If you have cracking, it automatically requires and extensive foundation repair solution

Not necessarily. Sometimes cracking is merely cosmetic. How can you tell? Well, since you aren't a professional, you probably can't. Your best bet is to find a foundation repair professional and invite them out to take a look. And don't worry, if you pick the right guy your initial analysis will be free. Just do yourself a favor and get a few different estimates. That way you can make sure you don't get ripped off.

Misconception #2


Water Leaks Through the Cracks in Foundation Wall

Getting your foundation fixed is going to cost you a fortune

Home repairs are rarely cheap and often if they are, it means you've hired someone unreliable. Cheap labor often means subpar quality of work. However, foundation repair can come at a reasonable price. First of all, depending on what solution you choose, you may spend less than you expected. If you're lucky, your situation will only require a quick fix. Secondly, finding the right foundation repair contractors means you can enjoy special financing agreements. So you can break the payments up over a few months without paying interest. 


Misconception #3
A foundation repair company must destroy your beautiful lawn in order to fix your problem

In some cases this is true. However, as foundation repair techniques have improved over time, new methods have been developed which are less invasive. For example, if you're able to utilize the stabilization strap method of repair, there is no damage to your lawn. The same goes for using reinforcement beams. Will these methods work for you? You won't know until you ask. 

Misconception #4 

Finding an honest foundation repair specialist is next to impossible

All it takes is a bit of research to find a reliable contractor. Your best tool? The Internet. Visit company websites and look around for customer testimonials. Also see if they're members of the Better Business Bureau. If they are, check their status on the BBB site. Finally, look to see how long they've been in business. If they meet all three of these criteria, you should feel confident in using them to work on your foundation.

Misconception #5

Your foundation walls are going to have to be completely rebuilt

The fact is, there are multiple methods of foundation repair. A complete rebuild is only necessary in the most extreme cases. Usually you'll already know because at this point your foundation walls will be on the verge of collapsing. Otherwise, you'll likely be able to take advantage of another technique, such as stabilization straps or steel I beam reinforcement. 

Don't worry

When facing possible foundation repair, the key is not to worry. Don't fall victim to these common misconceptions because all they will do is make you feel worse about your situation. Instead, look for a foundation repair specialist in Indiana or Michigan right away who can help you understand what needs to be done.

19 comments:

  1. Due to the complexity of foundation repairs the best advice is to hire an engineer followed by a trained foundation repair contractor. These professionals will make sure that your home is fixed correctly and permanently. Do not ignore your foundation problems have them fixed by the pros.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I realized that misconceptions just result a big worry and an expensive service of foundation repair.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think every new home owner should be made aware of these common misconceptions David. Especially knowing when you will need to perform extensive and expensive repairs. I remember the first house my wife and I bought started cracking in our foundation. At first we thought we would have to have expensive repairs but it turns out we were wrong. Always have a couple opinions of the situation.

    George Puzo | http://www.edmontonfoundationrepairs.com/en/

    ReplyDelete
  4. This post was perfect for me because I have noticed that my foundation is cracking. I had many of these misconceptions and thought I would have to completely rebuild my foundation. It's good to know that I can just get it repaired and that it won't cost me as much as I thought it would.
    Gary Puntman | http://www.paramountwaterproofing.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been helping a friend out with doing some foundation repair to his home, and it's hard work. I don't know to much about it, so I thought I would get online and try to learn a bit more about it. This helped a ton, and I'm excited to start working on it tomorrow.

    http://www.edmontonfoundationrepairs.com/en/

    ReplyDelete
  6. This was so straight forward and helpful. People need to consider everything when they get foundation repair. When you need to get your foundation fixed, especially when you're on a hill, you need to take everything into account. This was a perfect article, thank you!
    Celine | http://www.foundationrepairfortwayne.com/Foundation-Installation.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's nice to hear that there are new foundation repair techniques that can spare your lawn from being torn up. I can see it being a lot more money and hassle if you had to repair your lawn after repairing your foundation. If I hit the point where I need to get my foundation repaired, I would prefer to have it cause as little damage to my yard as possible.
    Andre Franklin | http://www.foundationrepairfortwayne.com/Foundation-Installation.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's really good to hear that there are new foundation repair techniques that are less damaging and invasive to a lawn. I've been needing to find a company nearby that will do foundation repairs for my home. Hopefully they will be able to do the repairs that are needed and not have to tear up my lawn in the process.
    Keara Littner | http://mybetterbasement.com/our-services/basement-foundation-repair/

    ReplyDelete
  9. If you have cracks in your foundation, it really is something that you should get fixed as soon as possible. You don't want to be stuck with a worse problem if you can prevent it!

    Jim Tracy | http://www.foundationrepairfortwayne.com/Foundation-Installation.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is great news that foundation repair isn't that expensive. I know for sure that I have a major problem though. There is a giant crack that I can see in both the basement foundation and outside the house on the corresponding area. Does this problem necessarily mean that I have a big problem?
    http://norrisfoundationrepair.com/Foundation-Repair/

    ReplyDelete
  11. KALMATRON® KF-F is the strongest coating on the old, aged, or deteriorated concrete, and masonry structures. Applicable in a dry, hot, and damp environments.

    KALMATRON® KF-F is a protective and crack curing composition with penetrating effect into the cementitious structure. Provide superficial densifying with increasing of solidity and highest resistance to chemical and environmental corrosions. The best to improve compressive strength, abrasion resistance, vapor transmission, liquid impermeability, and freeze-thaw resistance.
    http://www.kalmatron.com/7-KF-F.html

    KALMATRON® KF-F is the only known sprayable product that works in a severe sewage, acidic, and petroleum environments as a continuous coating.
    • Recommended for forklift-traffic floors.
    • Very effective for renovation of cracked concrete structures without preliminary patching.
    • Provides passivation of exposed rebar from rusting.
    • The best for enhancing of vapor emission resistance.
    • Preparation on a job site is as simple as mixing of KF-F with tap water in a volume ratio as 4 to 1.
    • Applicable as sprayed dry powder on/in leaking voids.
    • KF-F is only protection for cellular concrete.

    KALMATRON® KF-F is the most economical protective coating with minimum preparation and simplicity of application. KF-F is the only sprayable product that works in the sewer, acidic, alkali, and petroleum environments as a continuous coating. Recommended for
    building new and renovating of old heavy traffic floors. Very effective for renovation of cracked concrete structures.

    Use as a cementitious paint for coloration of industrial structures. Provides renovation of concrete structures for chemical and petroleum industries that are known as irreparable. The best for preservation of abandoned structures. "Cement matrix with KALMATRON® KF-A has been stronger than coarse aggregate."
    CURING: It is a necessity for very dry conditions only: hose down with water after 12 hours.

    For instance, by shotcrete manually: http://youtu.be/hGitIN6zDI4 or by robotic arm: http://youtu.be/5HnDm2R7xlY

    Due to great adhesion applicable on any material including on metal pipe: http://www.shieldcrete.com/plastcrete.html

    It is so simple and relaible that holds even crude oil:
    www.shieldcrete.com
    http://kalmatron.homestead.com/Shrinkage-cracks_W.html?_=1392781232513
    http://shieldcrete.homestead.com/STUCCO-REPAIR-BY-KF-F.html?_=1375210383226
    http://www.kalmatron.com/files/files1/articles/kalmatronkf-aforhpc.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. If you are looking for foundation repair in San Antonio or House Leveling Slab in San Antonio then just call @ 210-336-9153 to Find the Solutions.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was on rummage around for the sites related to provide good information, so I came up to your site.
    more info

    ReplyDelete
  14. definitely, what an outstanding website full of informative posts, I will surely bookmark this site. http://www.stratumfoundationrepair.com/our-locations/foundation-repair-plano-texas/

    ReplyDelete
  15. This blog is so helpful and interesting about the Plano Foundation Repair and i must appreciate it.
    Plano Foundation Repair

    ReplyDelete
  16. This blog is help for us..But as per these misconceptions.I ll recommend that any one who planning for foundation repair .Should hire foundation repair professionals

    ReplyDelete

Followers