To make repairs last, the property owner must change the conditions that caused the problem. Soil swelling can usually be stopped by cutting off the moisture supply. Plumbing leaks are major causes of soil swelling. If water leaks do occur, they must be repaired immediately to prevent damage to the foundation.
Poor drainage near the foundation is another cause of soil heaving. The owner may have to regrade his lot to make sure rainwater drains away from the foundation. Downspouts for gutters should carry water well away from the foundation and there should be no places where water ponds near the house during rains.
Brick cracks may close, and they may not close. It is our goal to close any brick cracks that exist, but there may be limitations during the lift that can prevent the cracks from closing. Sometimes there is a horizontal shift, and that will rarely come back. Sometimes the grade beam is too weak to lift the amount we would like, and it would cause more damage than good to lift further, and the cracks cannot close.
If you are planning any post foundation repair cosmetic repairs, please consider waiting 10-14 days for the foundation to settle before beginning any masonry , sheet rock, roofing repairs, or painting.
Post foundation repair tips are similar to the items mentioned in for prevention: http://www.mbrgfr.com/maintenance/
Follow these suggestions to minimize the chance of a re-occurrence of your foundation problem or for new problems developing.
Call MBRGFR Today for a Free No Hassle Evaluation 817-469-1090
Crawl Space Ventilation is very important to making sure that your pier and beam foundation stays dry. If all of the soil beneath the foundation swells uniformly or shrinks uniformly, it is unlikely to cause a problem. But when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, differential movement causes cracks, wood rot and other damage to an understructure. The right amount of hydration is very important.
One of the best ways to ensure that the moisture content under your pier and beam foundation stays consistent is by checking the efficiency of your vents. These vents allow outside air to circulate through the understructure to prevent the moisture buildup. Another alternative to promote adequate crawl space ventilation is by installing a humidistat fan. It will monitor the moisture and temperature levels under your house and keep the levels consistent to be in order to prevent foundation movement.
If you think that your foundation is moving or has ventilation issues, locusdemo.com/mbrgfr/ inspects both slab and pier and beam foundations. Don't hesitate to give us a call at our office (817) 469-1090
