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Touring the Common Causes of Foundation Damage
As important as foundation repair serving San Antonio may be, it may be even more important to determine why the problem occurred in the first place; the more you know about foundation damage, the less frequently you’ll need to call for concrete repair. You might experience damage to your foundation due to issues with your soil, poor drainage, or leaks in your plumbing system. Read on ahead if you are interested in touring the common causes of foundation damage and enjoying a drier, healthier, and more convenient household.
Soil Issues
Your house sits on a foundation, and this foundation needs to stay perfectly in place in order to keep your home as structurally sound as possible. If it shifts at all, you will need to call for foundation repair to protect your family and your investment. Unfortunately, the soil packed around your foundation might not be totally secure. If the consistency of the soil around your foundation allows it to move around from time to time, this could mean bad news for your foundation. If you already know that the soil around your foundation is giving you and your home issues, be sure to bring that up when you talk to your foundation repair specialist.
Faulty DrainageOne factor that might cause the foundation of your home to struggle more than usual is your drainage. Water can affect the composition of the soil around your foundation, which can become a serious problem if your drainage systems allow moisture to collect around the base of your home. If you have to jump over deep puddles to get to your driveway from your front door, you might be in need of drainage correction services. Drainage correction will ensure that rainwater does not settle near your foundation and instead moves out to the gutter or another safer place.
Plumbing Leaks
Just like rainwater, water that comes from plumbing appliances and pipes can also lead to foundation damage. Be sure to have these plumbing leaks repaired as soon as possible, especially if you haven’t already sought drainage correction services to bolster your foundation.
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The Basement Waterproofing Process
Of all the rooms in your home, the basement is easily the most vulnerable to flooding. If your gutters are in poor shape, or if you have inadequate drainage around your property, there’s a good chance you’ll see some moisture in your basement before too long. You’re best off preempting this problem by hiring waterproofing experts in San Antonio .
Waterproofing is a multifaceted process. First, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate drainage all-around your house. If water is pooling around your home, then you have a problem. After addressing the drainage issue, your waterproofing experts may determine that an interior or “negative side” waterproofing strategy is best. A special sealant can help keep the moisture outside and prevent mold from taking hold in your basement. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to excavate portions around your home in order to waterproof your basement from the exterior. If the moisture around your home is persistent, you may need to take several basement waterproofing measures, including installing a sump pump, which pumps water safely away from your basement.
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The Benefits of Installing a Concrete Patio
A patio is a delightful addition to any home. Whether you’re interested in installing an outdoor kitchen or a simple seating area for your guests, you’ll find that a well-constructed patio can boost your property value and your overall opinion of your home. When it comes to building materials, you have a lot of options to choose from; however, it’s hard to deny the benefits of concrete. Here are just a few of the benefits that a concrete contractor in San Antonio can provide for your patio project.
Impressive Durability
Wood decks were very popular for a long time; however, more and more decks are needing to be replaced after years of warping, rotting, and wear and tear. Concrete, on the other hand, is as durable as they come. If installed correctly, your concreate patio should stand up to decades of foot traffic, rain, hail, yard debris, and anything else that may come along. Your concrete patio won’t even crack as long as your contractor reinforces it with rebar.
Stylistic Versatility
Natural stone is often an elegant choice for patios, but what you see is what you get. Unlike natural stone, concrete can be molded into whatever shape, color, or texture you desire, allowing you to achieve precisely the aesthetic you’re looking for. Do you want a patio shaped like the State of Texas? Concrete can get it done. You’d be amazed to see what an experienced concrete contractor can put together.
Simple Maintenance
A patio should be enjoyed, not toiled over. Once your concrete patio is installed, you’ll find that it’s exceedingly easy to maintain. Since it’s a solid surface, you won’t have to worry about annoying pieces of debris falling between the cracks. There’s no need to seal or stain your concrete patio—all you have to do to keep it clean is give it a good sweep every once in a while. You might also power wash it once every few years to really make it shine.
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How to Choose a Foundation Repair Contractor
Like many homeowners, you likely enjoy doing work on your home whenever possible. However, there are times when it’s not practical or safe to perform jobs yourself. Foundation repair, for example, is a complex job that requires a professional touch. That said, you don’t want just anyone working on your foundation. Here are a few suggestions to help you find the right foundation contractor in San Antonio.
Look for ExperienceAs with virtually every other field, experience is key. If a foundation repair contractor has more than 30 years of experience in the business, then they’ll likely do a great job for you. Also, you might dig a little deeper to determine which foundation jobs a given contractor has done the most. If you need a pier and beam foundation repaired, for example, you should go with a contractor that’s very comfortable with that type of repair job.
Verify Credentials
Not just anyone can repair a foundation. Before you settle on a contractor, make sure they’re completely above board in terms of licensure and insurance. If you go with an uninsured contractor, you could be held liable for damage or injury incurred on the job. Also, trained and licensed employees will simply do better work than untrained and unlicensed workers.
Check Out Awards and Reviews
It’s a good idea to check out reviews online before getting too cozy with a foundation contractor. Past clients will give you the best insight into what a particular contractor is like to work with. You should also see what kind of recognition the contractor has garnered, such as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau or an Elite Service Professional designation from Home Advisor.
Ask for a Free Estimate
The free estimate is an essential part of the homeowner-contractor relationship. If a contractor offers you a free estimate, you know they’re serious about pursuing your business. A reasonable estimate is of course ideal, but you should be wary of an estimate that’s too low—it could just be dishonesty on the part of the contractor.
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Preventing Foundation Damage
The foundation is one of the most important parts of your home. Though it’s made of strong concrete, there’s still a possibility that it could incur some damage over time. One common culprit is an improper lawn grade. If you suspect that your foundation has been damaged in any way, contact a foundation repair company in San Antonio.
This video offers a few pieces of advice on how to protect your foundation. If your lawn happens to be above your foundation, then there’s a chance that moisture from the grass can seep into the house, causing rot and other problems. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to keep your lawn at least two inches below your home foundation. You might also consider installing an impermeable barrier around your foundation to make double sure that no moisture gets in.
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What Causes Foundation Damage?
Foundation repair serving San Antonio can return your home or commercial space to construction level, which comes with many benefits; however, what is it that causes the need for foundation repair in the first place? It could have to do with the weather in your area and the drainage systems you use for your house, the density of the soil surrounding your foundation, or the types of trees you have in the area. If you’re wondering if you should call your contractor, keep reading for a look at what causes the need for foundation repair.
It is best to repair foundation damage sooner rather than later, and the best way to keep yourself ahead of the issue is to understand the causes of the problems you might face. Foundations often shift, slope, or become damaged due to moisture, but this moisture can come from all kinds of different sources. This is why you need to make sure you redirect water away from your home and to a safer place, which you can do by bolstering your drainage system. Water that settles around your property may affect the composition of your soil, and it could make it easier for tree roots to cause problems with your foundation.
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Signs That Your Home Needs Foundation Repair
A strong foundation supports your house and keeps it in safe, efficient, and cosmetically appealing shape, but there are a few different types of problem signs that could warrant a call to your contractor for foundation repair serving San Antonio . You might notice visible cracks and slopes, floors and walls have become uneven, and doors and windows that don’t open and close like they normally would. Feel free to keep reading for a closer look at a few signs that your home needs foundation repair.
Cracks, Gaps, and Sloping
When your foundation starts to break down or sink, it is time to call your foundation repair specialist. If you think you might have a problem with your foundation, take a walk around and look for cracks in your drywall. You might also notice cracks on the outside of your home; you should pay special attention to cracks that resemble a staircase pattern. You might also notice spaces between your ceiling and the molding that should be flush against it. A small amount of sloping in your floors might be normal, but more significant sloping can indicate a foundation problem.
Sunken Floors and Bowed Walls
If a particular part of your flooring feels sunken in or you notice that the ground around your house feels like it is lower than normal, you might need foundation repair. You should also take a look at your basement walls and see if they appear to be buckling inwards; this could be due to soil expansion, and it might warrant a call to your foundation repair professional.
Difficulty Operating Doors and Windows
You might find it more difficult to open and close your doors and windows as the weather changes, but this is not the only factor that can make an impact on their operation. The condition of your foundation can actually play a substantial role when it comes to these features. Your house or building was level when the doors and windows were installed, so the sinking of your foundation can put them off balance. Once you seek foundation repair, your doors and windows should operate normally once again.
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The Importance of Basement Waterproofing
Whether your basement is finished and livable or used for storage, you might want to consider waterproofing near San Antonio. Your contractor can offer different types of waterproofing services in order to keep your foundation in place and prevent mold from growing in your space. This precautionary step will also help keep your belongings dry, secure, and safe from water damage. Continue on if you are interested in learning a little bit about the importance of basement waterproofing.
Protect Your Foundation
The purpose of basement waterproofing is to keep moisture out of your home, workplace, or commercial building. The foundation of your building is what keeps it stable and secure, so you should always do what you can to keep it in shape. An unstable foundation can result in sloping floors, bowing walls, and doors and windows that won’t close properly. All of these issues can continue to become worse and worse, which could severely compromise the efficiency, comfort, and even safety of your building. If you want to keep your basement as safe as possible, talk to a professional contractor to have it waterproofed.
Keep Your Property Safe
Storing belongings in your basement can be a great alternative to leaving them outside, but without basement waterproofing, the difference may be negligible. Certain pieces might be okay to withstand the elements, but much of what you might need to store is probably vulnerable to water damage; this is especially true when it comes to document storage. If you plan on storing anything important in your basement, it is a good idea to have the area waterproofed so that you can protect it from the effects of stray moisture.
Prevent Mold Problems
No matter what you keep in the basement, you don’t want to keep mold there. However, it only takes a little bit of moisture and the right environment for a mold problem to spring up. Once it does begin, it can spread all over your space and contribute to a variety of health problems. By waterproofing your basement, you can substantially cut down the chances of dealing with a mold problem.
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Repairing a Pier and Beam Foundation
Different types of foundations will benefit from their own forms of foundation repair serving San Antonio. Your contractor should be able to make the necessary repairs, but the actual process will vary depending on the type of foundation in question. Take a look at this video clip for a quick overview of repairing a pier and beam foundation.
Your pier and beam foundation keeps your home level and prevents walls, floors, doors, and windows from sustaining damage due to shifting soil. If your existing piers are still in decent shape, your contractor may use them to adjust the level of the home. While the foreman checks door openings and measures the level, jacks will be placed at certain lift points. If it turns out that the existing piers don’t provide the right amount of support, your contractor might dig a new footing and fill it with strong concrete.
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The Signs of a Slab Leak
A slab leak is a serious situation for any homeowner. Slab leaks are defined as any plumbing leaks that occur underneath the foundation slab of your property. When your plumbing develops a slab leak, you may need to set up foundation repair and waterproofing services for your home. To determine when it is time to call in the experts, it is important to be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of a slab leak. For example, when your home has a slab leak, you may notice the sound of running water in your home, even when all of your water is turned off. Additionally, you may also find unusual cracks or hot spots along your floors. Fortunately, a contractor in San Antonio can help you diagnose and repair a slab leak on your property. From drainage correction to waterproofing and more, a foundation repair technician will be able to offer you the services that you need to completely restore the foundation of your home.
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