Do's and Don'ts of Foundation Repair
As you look around you will find many different choices when it comes to foundation repair methods and foundation repair products. Buyers beware! You will see television ads with high priced spokesmen telling you that their method of foundation repair is the best. You will find articles and websites on the internet telling you why their methods are the best. You will hear radio advertising tell you that XYZ Foundation Repair is the best because they have been around the longest or they are the cheapest. You will hear and read a lot of advertising, but with some basic information you can determine if what you are being told is correct.
First, not all foundation repair products are made equally. Not all installers are trained equally. There is not one single choice of foundation repair product for all situations. Make sure that what is supporting your largest investment is made by a nationally respected manufacturer that stands behind their products. There are a lot of local foundation repair contractors that work out of their garages, building inferior products without quality control standards. What they build today may be quite different from tomorrow's production. There are also installers that have little to no training in the art of foundation repair. When dealing with structural components, especially under your home, the foundation repair contractor that you choose needs to have undergone extensive training. This training generally comes from the manufacturer that they represent or a national association.
The hiring of a foundation engineer is the single most important piece of advice. This engineer will evaluate your structure and give you a written analysis of the structure. Most foundation engineers can recommend a foundation expert that is well versed in multiple types of foundation repair products. Parts of your house may need helical piles while other parts may need resistance piers while yet other places may need wall anchors or tie-backs. |
