What is soil settling? What are the signs of foundation damage? What does a “bad” foundation look like? What causes foundation problems in the first place? What’s hydrostatic testing? What does a foundation examination entail? These are just a few of the common questions homeowners have regarding foundation repair. Luckily, MitchCo owner Edward Mitchell answers these and other questions in this clip from a segment on Fox Daytime @ 9.

Still have questions about foundation repair? Call the foundation experts at MitchCo today and get answers to all the questions you have. You can get in touch with a foundation repair contractor in San Antonio by calling (210) 787-2965 . You can also contact MitchCo online if you have questions or would like to request a free estimate on foundation repair for your home or business.

If you recognize any of the warning signs of foundation damage, including staircase cracks on the walls and doors or windows that constantly get stuck, you may be wondering what’s caused your home’s sturdy concrete foundation to break. Ironically enough, it might be something as seemingly inconsequential as the soil beneath your home. Although the soil itself doesn’t harm the foundation, the shifting and settling of the earth beneath your home can cause the foundation to rise and fall in response. Poor drainage can increase the moisture content in the soil directly beneath your home, which can lead to more soil movement and subsequent foundation damage.

The good news is that foundation instability and damage can be corrected with the help of a licensed foundation repair contractor in San Antonio . Soil stabilization and drainage correction are two of the steps foundation repair contractors can take to prevent future foundation problems, at least those resulting from soil expansion and deterioration.

Whether you’re planning a new sidewalk, driveway, patio, pool deck, or even a new home addition that required a slab foundation, you can save a lot of time and money in the long run by hiring a concrete contractor to complete the job for you. In some cases, depending on the size and scope of the project, a licensed concrete contractor might be required to make sure your home is up to the state, local, and/or federal building codes. But with so many concrete contractors in San Antonio, how do you know which one to hire? Here are some good questions to ask that can help you narrow down your list.

What types of concrete services do you provide?

First and foremost, make sure that any concrete contractor you are considering for the job has experience with the particular concrete work you need to be done. For example, if you need to have a driveway slab laid down, make sure the contractor you hire has done concrete driveway installations in the past.

Are you licensed and insured?

Perhaps the most important question of them all is whether or not a contractor is licensed and insured. Licensure is your signal that the contractor is legitimate and answers to the state. You can search the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to find out whether a contractor has an active license or not. Insurance should give you peace of mind that should any damage or personal injuries occur during the job the contractor’s insurance company will shoulder the financial burden, not you.

Do you offer free estimates?

Although the final cost can change, it’s nice to get an estimate up front so you can start budgeting for the project and see which contractors are overcharging for a particular service. Be wary of any residential concrete contractors in San Antonio who refuse to offer estimates, as this is typically a practice associated with contractors who like to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners after the job is done.

If you have a water intrusion issue in your basement, an unusually waterlogged front yard or backyard, or a yard that slopes toward your home, you should consider installing a French drain. Contact your local foundation repair contractor to learn more about French drain installation in San Antonio . Also, be sure to discuss with your professional about other waterproofing methods for your basement.

What a French Drain Is

Water can damage or weaken your home’s foundation. A French drain can be used to protect it from water intrusion and damage. Basically, a trench has been dug that slopes away from your home. Then it’s filled with a base layer of crushed rock or gravel. A perforated pipe, which is meant to direct and channel ground and surface water away from your home’s foundation, is laid on top of the base and is then filled around with more gravel.

Installing a Shallow Drain

If you have surface water issues, install a shallow French drain, which can effectively channel surface water around areas that have become overly wet. These shallow drains are positioned directly above wet areas that need to dry out. If trees or shrubs come into contact with a French drain’s path, solid pipes are used rather than perforated ones. Tree roots can grow into perforated pipes and clog them.

Installing a Deep Drain

If water is infiltrating your basement, install a deep French drain, which should run around the perimeter of your home near its foundation’s footings. This drain effectively stops water from entering your basement. It’s easiest to have this drain installed at the same time a home is being constructed. If you need to have this drain installed around an existing home, it can be quite costly due to the amount of work involved, and potentially needing to have decks, walkways, or landscapes that get in the way demolished.

Installing an Interior Drain

Like a deep French drain, an interior drain stops water from entering your basement. It’s a much better waterproofing method than a deep drain. If your basement is unfinished, the installation can be a breeze. If your basement is finished, your foundation repair specialist has to cut and remove drywall in order to install the interior drain. This method utilizes a collection tank and a sump pump to redirect water from your basement.

The best way to prevent foundation problems is to figure out and address what is causing the problems in the first place. Be vigilant and routinely monitor your foundation over time to see if any identified issues continue to get worse. If it does, you should contact a professional contractor who specializes in foundation repair serving San Antonio .

Older homes are often in need of foundation repair, but newer homes are not immune. Soil erosion and water damage tend to cause foundation issues, and clogged gutters and ineffective downspouts are usually to blame. In addition to waterproofing your basement, keep your gutters clean and attach extenders to your downspouts that can direct rainwater from your roof at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation. Watch this informative video to learn how to alleviate foundation problems.

Your home’s foundation literally carries the weight of your home on itself—that’s why you want to make sure that your foundation is strong and stable enough to support your home for years to come. There are many things that can negatively affect your foundation. Here’s an overview of common foundation problems and repair techniques.

If you notice an issue with your home’s foundation, no matter how small it may be, schedule an appointment with a foundation repair specialist to have your concrete slab and pier and beam foundation in San Antonio inspected.

Overcoming Poor Drainage

Water is a foundation’s arch nemesis. When drainage is poor—i.e., your property slopes toward your home, or you have downspout issues—water can pool around your home, seeping into the concrete of your foundation, which can result in basement flooding and accelerated foundation erosion. In the case of gutters, your home’s gutter and downspout systems work well to direct rainwater away from your roof’s surfaces, but sometimes they can direct that water straight to your home’s foundation. To mitigate water intrusion, proper waterproofing of your basement’s interior and exterior is crucial. Have a foundation repair specialist perform a complete diagnostic inspection. He or she can offer the appropriate drainage correction solution—for example, having a contractor perform a French drain installation to channel water away from your home.

Dealing With Shifting Soil

Your house sits on its foundation that rests on soil. If your home was built on soil that was not adequately compacted, or if you live in an area where soils naturally shift due to excessive rains or extreme droughts, your foundation can be in trouble. Shifting soil can cause your foundation to resettle and crack, which can weaken its structural integrity. Additionally, poor drainage can worsen, or be the cause of, this problem. To combat and prevent this, your contractor can correct drainage issues and stabilize the soil. Your foundation may also need to be leveled—a process that involves lifting your home and repositioning it, and stabilizing its foundation with supportive piers.

Invasive Tree Roots

Invasive roots from large trees can do a number on your home’s foundation. These roots can lift up concrete structures or break through them, causing much damage and giving rise to other problems. If feasible, consider having large trees relocated or removed from your property.

Your home, office building, or other property is likely one that you worked hard to earn. Although there are many elements that might stand in your way, MitchCo foundation repair serving San Antonio can help you keep your building in top shape for as long as possible. Always choose a qualified contractor when dealing with your foundation, and look for one who offers a range of repair methods and techniques. Fortunately MitchCo Foundation Repair satisfies both of these criteria. Feel free to continue on if you are interested in taking a look at your concrete slab service options.

When you work with MitchCo Foundation Repair, you can rest assured that your home or building will have the foundation integrity needed in areas of influence where piers are installed for years to come. Our limited lifetime warranty is designed to offer our customers the confidence and assurance that they need in order to focus on the pressing aspects of daily life. At MitchCo Foundation Repair, our team specializes in a multitude of methods and techniques; this means that we are able to find the perfect solution for your needs. From hydraulic driven steel piers to hybrid concrete-steel piers to concrete pressed piling systems, we know exactly what it takes to ensure that your building or home sustains the test of time

If you are planning on doing any work on your home, foundation repair serving San Antonio may come first. Alternatively, you might have already noticed a problem with your foundation that led you to research general contractors who can put your mind at ease. Understanding how pier and beam foundation repair works can help you achieve a clearer idea of the structural integrity of your home as well as make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a contractor. Keep reading if you are interested in taking a closer look at how pier and beam foundation repair works.

Pier and Beam Background

Pier and beam is a specific type of foundation, and there is are specific ways to go about repairing it; fortunately repairing a pier and beam foundation is typically less invasive than repairing a concrete slab. If you are a homeowner with this type of foundation, you might encounter a problem regarding the soil under the foundation or the construction of the foundation itself. The soil under the foundation might be affected by poor drainage, which can cause the soils to crack, or the foundation might have been built on cedar piers that have deteriorated. In either case, the repair is geared towards making the foundation stronger.

Shoring Technique

If the walls of your foundation have begun to crack, then they are likely dealing with the maximum amount of stress that they can withstand. When this is the case, your foundation repair team can use shoring techniques to bolster the strength of your foundation. Adding new treated beams and/or floor joists can allow your foundation to support the additional weight without cracking or sustaining further damage. The extra support will also grant more surface area to your footing, further addressing the issue.

Installation and Strengthening

Although it is helpful, shoring is not always a sufficient solution to a damaged pier and beam foundation. Your foundation repair specialists can also use new monolithic piers to level out your foundation and bring your home or office back to a pre-damaged state. The foundation repair team will use new monolithic piers to correct the elevation differentials.

Have you noticed that your lawn is filled with puddles or even deep pools of water after it rains? If so, there’s a good chance that you have poor drainage on your property. This can lead to a series of problems, including the need for foundation repair. You should think about having waterproofing near San Antonio done so that water isn’t able to harm your home. You should also fix your drainage so that water doesn’t ruin your yard. Here is what you need to know about drainage issues.

Drainage issues might be the result of compacted soil in your yard.

When water pools on top of your yard as opposed to penetrating down through your soil, it’s often because the soil is very compacted. This will prevent the water from getting into it and, instead of being absorbed into the soil, rainwater will simply sit on top of it. Aerating your lawn is one way to try and stop drainage from becoming a problem. However, if you aerate your lawn and still have an issue, you may need to consider installing a drainage system that allows for your yard to drain water more effectively.

Drainage issues can affect your home’s foundation.

If water is pooling in your yard, you might think it’s not a big deal. After all, as long as it evaporates eventually, there’s no harm in having water in your yard, right? Wrong. If the water sits too close to your home and comes into contact with your foundation, it can actually seep into it and cause everything from cracks to mold. You will almost certainly need to hire a contractor to come and do foundation repair if you don’t fix your drainage.

Drainage issues can be fixed in many different ways.

There are a handful of things you can do to try and fix your drainage issues. From checking your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are moving water away from your home to having a French drain installed near your home where water gathers, you can improve your drainage and protect your home’s foundatio