The Reason Why Your Home’s Foundation is Very Important 

by | Jun 18, 2022 | Foundation Repair

Your home’s foundation may seem like a very simple part of your entire construction process however, getting your home’s foundation right is very essential. The main purpose for this is that every mistake you do in your foundation will just get even worse as you proceed. As a matter of fact, it is known as the compounding defects and this means that any mistakes grow.  

Another reason that your home’s foundation needs the primary attention and focus is that your overall home depends on it. If something fails and you skimp here, then it is not an easy repair at all. Is it worth an extra few cash to add a little more rebar to your slab? The answer is yes. Making sure that your foundation is built to its highest quality possible is considerably worth your extra cash. The following are some very simple things to consider when building your slab and/or your home’s foundation and it is best done with the help of a professional foundation repair New Braunfels TX. 

Ensure that your rebar is the appropriate size and is built in a correct spacing for your geological/soil conditions. The layout for your foundation rebar will depend on the local codes and the size of your foundation wall. 

In addition to that, do not let the rebar to come close or even to daylight. No rebar must end or be placed within 4 inches of the concrete’s edge. Rebar nearer than this may draw moisture from the exterior creating rust. The rust will spread through the rebar and as time passes, your rebar system will already be damaged and finally become useless. 

Pay additional attention to your layout of the slab and foundation. You should make sure that every corner is level and square. The more flawless you are, the better however, you should not be over ¼ inch or level for an approximately 2000 SF house. Utilize the laser level when you have one or use the almost perfect standby of all: the water level. It is due to the fact that it is the cheapest level you will ever purchase. It is actually some clear plastic tubing, little red food coloring in order to help you recognize the level lines much better, and the water. In fact, you may even use that set all by yourself. 

You just have to wait for the water to evaporate from the top of your slab before you begin accomplish troweling. When you press the water back into the concrete’s surface, it will lessen its strength. Just allow it to discard the excess water then get on it and finish the task. 

If you are planning to acid stain the concrete, do not over polish the surface. If you over finish the surface, you will totally seal it. You can have the surface smooth, but do not get me wrong, the main purpose isn’t to power trowel the slab. 

Finally, use an adequate bracing for the pours. There’s nothing worse than having the form board blow out as you pour. It only means that more concrete will be utilized as well as your good straight lines will be shot. Also, use a lot of diagonal braces in order to support your forms during the pour. 

Four Ways Cracked Foundation Affects Your House 

by | Jun 16, 2022 | Foundation Repair

It is very important that your house is standing on a reliable foundation. A foundation with so many cracks may result to a lot of problems outside and inside your home, and it will also cost you a lot of money from your own pocket just for the repairs. As a matter of fact, before you try to sell your house, you may first consider doing renovations for a greater selling value. On the other hand, prior to buying a new house, it is also very essential to inspect first the quality of the home’s foundation. The following are some of the signs that indicates your house has some cracks on its foundation. 

Sagging or Uneven Flooring 

If you happen to recognize that your flooring is already sagged in some particular areas and already lower in others, you could be expecting some problems on your home’s foundation. This is due to the fact that in some areas of your floor can be considerably higher than that of the others that can lead in gaps where the wall and the floor meet. In order to recognize if your house has uneven flooring, you may use a tennis ball or a leveler. If a tennis ball rolls around, this could be one of the signs that your home’s foundation has cracks on it. 

Cracks on the Walls 

A home owner whose foundation has problems or damages may notice some cracks on the bricks outside the house or cracks on the walls inside your home. In addition to that, these cracks may be zig zagging, vertical or horizontal. These cracks can also be visible in size, even with just some small visible cracks such as hairline fractures.  

Displaced Molding 

Damaged or cracked foundation may cause your home to settle or shift significantly that can basically displace the molding. You just have to make sure that you examine every corner of the walls and the ceiling where they meet. This portion must be flushed and vertically aligned together. 

 Windows and Doors Do Not Close or Open Properly 

The windows and doors in all corners of your home should close and open properly. If you seem to notice that your doors and windows do not stay closed, jammed or get stuck for whatever reasons, it is probably because of some cracks on your foundation. Thus, this can result to other expensive issues such as an increase in your electricity bills because of the fact that the cold and hot air can escape. 

Since the houses will settle over time, it’s very essential to be wary of this kind of signs which reflect problems on your foundation. As a matter of fact, the damages on your home’s foundation need to be fixed and addressed as early as possible to avoid further home damages as well as repair costs. If you notice a small problem or a crack on your foundation, do not hesitate to contact a professional foundation repair Grapevine TX to lessen a potential costly repair.