Myths behind foundation repair
When it comes to maintenance, there is a lot of misinformation in the foundation repair marketplace.
That’s pretty understandable, however. Most homeowners facing a possible foundation repair have never dealt with serious foundation issues before. And, because every home is different, there are no absolute answers that fit every situation.
Here are five common myths of foundation repair and some information to help you, as a homeowner, make the best-possible decision for your home.
- Myth No. 1: If your foundation needs repair, it’s probably your builder’s fault. He either used cheap concrete or did not reinforce the foundation properly.
- The truth: Yes, it’s possible that poor-quality materials or improper construction techniques can cause a foundation to fail. But even a foundation that was built with ideal materials and to perfect specifications can develop cracks and other structural problems. Buildings can only withstand a very small amount of movement before foundation damage occurs. So if the soils around your home swell or recede because moisture conditions change dramatically, even a high-quality foundation will experience stress and could fail.
Myth No. 2: Cracks in an exterior foundation surface, or on concrete walls and floors, don’t require a full-on foundation repair. You can just patch them with a high-end, construction-grade epoxy.
The truth: Bad idea. Industrial-strength epoxies can be a component of a larger foundation repair. But simply filling the cracks does nothing to address your long-term problems. If a foundation crack is structural, the underlying instability must be corrected. This might mean the installation of piers and other engineering strategies. Then, and only then, might an epoxy be used to cover up the cosmetic damage.
Myth No. 3: A foundation that has been stabilized will cause no further issues.
The truth: Some foundation repair companies merely lift the foundation and place it on top of concrete piles. This is essentially propping up the foundation so that it will be level. A leveling job does not create a stable, healthy foundation. With this method, a period of drought or moisture can put the homeowner right back where he started – with serious foundation problems.
Myth No. 4: Your foundation repair includes a lifetime warranty.
The truth: If you work with a reputable foundation repair company like our, yet, this is absolutely true. Foundation Repair Solutions offers a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.
Myth No. 5: Repairing a damaged foundation is OK, but replacing it with a new foundation is better.
The truth: This is absolutely false. Replacing the foundation is incredibly expensive and not the best option for most homeowners. Concrete actually grows stronger as time passes, so the existing foundation is stronger than a new foundation would be. And in most cases, a high-quality foundation repair company will be able to use steel piers wall anchors and other structural elements to adequately repair the foundation permanently and affordably.