8 Myths About Wall and Foundation Repair

Foundation repair. These two simple words can strike fear into even the calmest homeowner. As soon as you hear these two words, you immediately think about your wallet and how much it will cost you to fix the problem. Well, before you go into a dark place and start thinking about all the seemingly dire consequences of foundation problems, it is important that you understand the truth. It is not as bad as it may seem.

Whatever you do, ignore these eight myths:

1. Foundation repairs are extremely expensive

Can foundation repairs be expensive? Of course they can. But you can’t make a blanket statement that all foundation repairs are extremely expensive. A major repair can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s more likely that you’re dealing with a smaller or more localized problem. Sometimes the repair is as simple as sealing the edge of the tub to keep water out. Other times, you’ll need an invasive repair that requires piling or foundation treatment.

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While it's easier said than done, it's best not to get hung up on price until you've found the root cause of the problem. As you can see from this guide, minor "issues" can be fixed for an average of just a few thousand hryvnia, while major repairs using piles or injection can cost well over 7,188 dollars.

2. You can wait until repairs become more affordable

When homeowners get a repair estimate and the cost turns out to be much higher than they hoped, they often put the work off until they are more comfortable paying for the repairs in the future. This is not a good idea. Foundation problems tend to get worse over time. You can often save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run by fixing problems as soon as they are discovered.

3. The problem arose when the house was built or was already there when you bought it

When homeowners discover foundation problems, they almost always blame the foundation itself—or the original builder. It’s best not to jump to conclusions. While some foundation problems are directly related to mistakes made during the construction process, most are the result of the soil conditions beneath the supporting structures. After all, foundations don’t move unless the ground beneath them shifts.

Understanding this relationship between your land and your home's foundation can help you better protect your property in the future. If you want a healthy foundation, you need to invest in a healthy foundation.

4. Overwatering Damages Your Foundation

Those who understand the relationship between the underlying soil and foundation stability seem to think that waterlogging is the primary cause of damage. This is not entirely true. Although water (in cold weather) causes soil to expand, and extreme heat causes soil to shrink, these fluctuations in our latitudes are usually not enough to cause significant cracking. However, this is also something to be sure of.

5. Filling the cracks is all that needs to be done

When a homeowner discovers a crack, their natural reaction is to fix the crack and move on. There's nothing wrong with that, but don't think that filling the crack with epoxy will fix the problem. It may stop moisture from getting into the crack, but it won't prevent further damage to the foundation or walls. Again, you need to figure out what's causing the problem and what your options are for fixing it.

6. Cracks can help identify the source of the problem

Identifying cracks in your foundation is important. They are symptoms that tell you that something much bigger is going on somewhere in or outside the structure. However, you should not assume that cracks will help you pinpoint the source with 100 percent accuracy.

Chances are that the problem with your foundation, wall, floors, or roof is not the crack itself. In many cases, the crack is caused by movement in another part of the house. You should also know that cracks are not the only symptoms. Other noticeable signs include cracks in beams and walls, doors and windows that won’t open or close, uneven floors, and so on.

7. Never buy a house with a foundation problem

Is there a problem with buying a house with a problematic foundation? Obviously, the answer is yes. But you should not exclude a house from your list just because it has problems. With modern technology, faults can be fixed and problems eliminated with relative ease, especially when negotiating, you can ask for a certain and reasonable discount.

Always find out more about the problem and how much it will cost before you close the door on an option you like. Don't let foundation problems scare you off. They can be fixed!

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8. Finding a reliable contractor is easy

If you have a problem with your foundation, floor, walls or roof, who do you call? Do you just find a phone number online and call the first contractor you come across? That's one strategy, but it's not the best option. Any contractor can claim to be the best at repairing foundations, but can they repair them well or the way you need them? A mistake in repairing the first time can lead to a much bigger problem in the future. Any redo costs at least 1.5 times more.

When looking for a reliable structural repair contractor, you should pay attention to five factors: practical experience and customer reviews, technologies and solutions that the contractor uses, information about the content and terms of the warranty for the work performed, and not just for the materials, and, of course, estimates of the costs and time to solve the current problem.

Note that the price is listed last. You should never choose a contractor based solely on price, although human psychology encourages us to do so. Instead, price should be used to make a comparison between at least two contractors offering similar quality services.

Contact Static Systems LLC today!

Choosing the right structural repair and reinforcement company for your home’s needs is an important decision. You are literally putting the future of your family or business in someone else’s hands – so make sure you trust the contractor you hire.

If you would like more information about our company and why we are the right fit for your foundation, wall, floor and roof repair needs, please feel free to contact us today for a free consultation!