Posts Tagged: texas

Do not remodel your home until you have done this

Do not remodel your home until you have done this!

 

 

Have you been eyeing a new look for your home, or starting to talk about home improvements? There is something you should do before you even start to think about remodeling.

You should always have your home’s foundation checked before you do any home improvements. The number one problem we get called out on is cosmetic damage as a result of foundation movement. The homeowner either just remodeled or patched the cracks and they came back. 

While some of the stress seen in homes could be just seasonal movement, it most likely is due to the foundation moving and in need of repair. If you fix cracks or remodel you are just putting a bandaid over the wound, and not fixing the main problem. This will result in the same signs you thought you had repaired coming back, but this time in the newly remodeled area. 

 

So before you go and spend all of your money making repairs and doing home improvements, let’s talk about a few things you should know, and watch for. 

The type of cracks matter. There are two major differences between seasonal movement cracks and foundation movement cracks. Seasonal movement cracks typically occur in the seams where two sheets of drywall meet. They are straight line cracks, and are usually very small. 

Cracks caused by foundation movement are typically jagged cracks that come off doors or windows in angles. These cracks look as if the drywall is ripping. A simple trick to think of is the direction the crack is pointing, is the area of the house that is settling or in need of foundation repair. 

 

Another common item frequently updated in a home is the flooring. Flooring is either attached to the foundation or free floating. Free floating floors like laminate or vinyl planks typically have less problems when the foundation is moving. 

However flooring such as tile or hardwood floors that are attached to the concrete foundation can see significant damage when the foundation is moving or when the foundation is repaired. 

When we inspect homes for foundation problems, we see tile cracks or in some cases where the floor is buckling due to it  being compressed. When asked if the flooring is new, the most common answer is yes. 

We cannot stress it enough that if you plan on doing any home improvements or remodeling, that you call a foundation company you can trust like Stratum Foundation repair first. We come out and inspect the foundation for movement. If we think there are no repairs needed and the foundation is within normal tolerances, then you have a green light to renovate. 

 

If the foundation inspection shows signs of foundation movement you want to take care of that before you even start to do any improvements to the home. The foundation of the home affects everything in your house. 

Once the foundation is repaired with piers and lifted back to normal height, we recommend waiting 90 days. After the 90 days you can move forward with the improvements and feel comfortable that your investment is going to be safe. 

Even if your foundation is in good shape, you should still water the foundation, maintain proper drainage and install root barriers to help with any seasonal movement you may still see. Take a look at our other blog on home maintenance to ensure you do everything you can to protect your home.

 

Below average rainfall for January, and what it means for your Home’s Foundation

Do not remodel your home until you have done this!

 

 

Have you been eyeing a new look for your home, or starting to talk about home improvements? There is something you should do before you even start to think about remodeling.

You should always have your home’s foundation checked before you do any home improvements. The number one problem we get called out on is cosmetic damage as a result of foundation movement. The homeowner either just remodeled or patched the cracks and they came back. 

While some of the stress seen in homes could be just seasonal movement, it most likely is due to the foundation moving and in need of repair. If you fix cracks or remodel you are just putting a bandaid over the wound, and not fixing the main problem. This will result in the same signs you thought you had repaired coming back, but this time in the newly remodeled area. 

 

So before you go and spend all of your money making repairs and doing home improvements, let’s talk about a few things you should know, and watch for. 

The type of cracks matter. There are two major differences between seasonal movement cracks and foundation movement cracks. Seasonal movement cracks typically occur in the seams where two sheets of drywall meet. They are straight line cracks, and are usually very small. 

Cracks caused by foundation movement are typically jagged cracks that come off doors or windows in angles. These cracks look as if the drywall is ripping. A simple trick to think of is the direction the crack is pointing, is the area of the house that is settling or in need of foundation repair. 

 

Another common item frequently updated in a home is the flooring. Flooring is either attached to the foundation or free floating. Free floating floors like laminate or vinyl planks typically have less problems when the foundation is moving. 

However flooring such as tile or hardwood floors that are attached to the concrete foundation can see significant damage when the foundation is moving or when the foundation is repaired. 

When we inspect homes for foundation problems, we see tile cracks or in some cases where the floor is buckling due to it  being compressed. When asked if the flooring is new, the most common answer is yes. 

We cannot stress it enough that if you plan on doing any home improvements or remodeling, that you call a foundation company you can trust like Stratum Foundation repair first. We come out and inspect the foundation for movement. If we think there are no repairs needed and the foundation is within normal tolerances, then you have a green light to renovate. 

 

If the foundation inspection shows signs of foundation movement you want to take care of that before you even start to do any improvements to the home. The foundation of the home affects everything in your house. 

Once the foundation is repaired with piers and lifted back to normal height, we recommend waiting 90 days. After the 90 days you can move forward with the improvements and feel comfortable that your investment is going to be safe. 

Even if your foundation is in good shape, you should still water the foundation, maintain proper drainage and install root barriers to help with any seasonal movement you may still see. Take a look at our other blog on home maintenance to ensure you do everything you can to protect your home.

 

What Can You Expect During a Foundation Repair Estimate?

Do not remodel your home until you have done this!

 

 

Have you been eyeing a new look for your home, or starting to talk about home improvements? There is something you should do before you even start to think about remodeling.

You should always have your home’s foundation checked before you do any home improvements. The number one problem we get called out on is cosmetic damage as a result of foundation movement. The homeowner either just remodeled or patched the cracks and they came back. 

While some of the stress seen in homes could be just seasonal movement, it most likely is due to the foundation moving and in need of repair. If you fix cracks or remodel you are just putting a bandaid over the wound, and not fixing the main problem. This will result in the same signs you thought you had repaired coming back, but this time in the newly remodeled area. 

 

So before you go and spend all of your money making repairs and doing home improvements, let’s talk about a few things you should know, and watch for. 

The type of cracks matter. There are two major differences between seasonal movement cracks and foundation movement cracks. Seasonal movement cracks typically occur in the seams where two sheets of drywall meet. They are straight line cracks, and are usually very small. 

Cracks caused by foundation movement are typically jagged cracks that come off doors or windows in angles. These cracks look as if the drywall is ripping. A simple trick to think of is the direction the crack is pointing, is the area of the house that is settling or in need of foundation repair. 

 

Another common item frequently updated in a home is the flooring. Flooring is either attached to the foundation or free floating. Free floating floors like laminate or vinyl planks typically have less problems when the foundation is moving. 

However flooring such as tile or hardwood floors that are attached to the concrete foundation can see significant damage when the foundation is moving or when the foundation is repaired. 

When we inspect homes for foundation problems, we see tile cracks or in some cases where the floor is buckling due to it  being compressed. When asked if the flooring is new, the most common answer is yes. 

We cannot stress it enough that if you plan on doing any home improvements or remodeling, that you call a foundation company you can trust like Stratum Foundation repair first. We come out and inspect the foundation for movement. If we think there are no repairs needed and the foundation is within normal tolerances, then you have a green light to renovate. 

 

If the foundation inspection shows signs of foundation movement you want to take care of that before you even start to do any improvements to the home. The foundation of the home affects everything in your house. 

Once the foundation is repaired with piers and lifted back to normal height, we recommend waiting 90 days. After the 90 days you can move forward with the improvements and feel comfortable that your investment is going to be safe. 

Even if your foundation is in good shape, you should still water the foundation, maintain proper drainage and install root barriers to help with any seasonal movement you may still see. Take a look at our other blog on home maintenance to ensure you do everything you can to protect your home.

 

Reading the Signs of Foundation Issues (2/4)

Now that you have a basic knowledge of foundations in Part 1 of this series, and the basic causes of foundation issues, it’s time to learn more about the signs indicating that you may have a problem with your home’s foundation.

When it comes to your foundation, do you know what’s worth noticing? This series discusses foundation issues you should watch out for, explains how to evaluate them and, ultimately, can help you determine if it’s time to take action and begin the foundation repair process. Once you decide it’s time to take action, discover how to find and consult with a foundation repair expert near you

Most people think “foundation issues” when they see a crack in drywall. However, experts explain that there’s more than one type, as cracks may simply be a cosmetic issue, rather than a foundation issue.

Assessing Cosmetic vs. Structural Foundation Damage

Visible drywall cracks, most commonly referred to as hairline cracks, don’t necessarily indicate a serious problem. These may also occur seasonally and are commonly referred to by experts as “seasonal settlement cracks,” which is a cosmetic issue.

However, foundation problems are a structural issue – which means they can really mess up the structure of your home if not taken care of properly. So, one’s a bigger concern over than the other, even though you may think both look bad. Cosmetic issues are a much easier fix and one hairline crack won’t necessarily indicate you have a foundation problem with your home.

Help, I See a Crack! What Kind is it – Cosmetic or Structural?

One helpful tip recommended by a foundation consultant with Stratum Foundation Repair, a Texas-based foundation repair company, is to determine whether a crack is cosmetic or structural. This expert recommends performing a “quarter test” on cracks to help determine whether or not a foundation may need repair.

How to perform the “quarter test” on a crack in your home: when you see a crack, if you can take an edge of a quarter and stick it inside the crack, it’s probably something that needs to be investigated further by an expert. If that crack is opening up, it means things (aka the bones of your home) are pulling apart.

While any noticeable crack is a cosmetic issue in itself, a structural issue stems from things pulling apart. If it comes out too far, parts are no longer connected, which is obviously a bad thing.

If you see a crack that’s smaller or what’s commonly referred to as a hairline crack, then they’re most likely seasonal movement cracks. As long as the crack isn’t widening or separating, there’s not as much cause for concern.

The signs associated with foundation damage usually occur in tandem, with more than one at a time. It’s usually unlikely that a bunch of different signs or cracks don’t have separate causes.

That means it’s not enough to have just one crack to correctly assume it’s a foundation issue. When the foundation moves, it’s causing many pieces of the foundation to move. Experts look to find a concentration of cracks and breaks, along with evaluating other areas of the home for common signs indicating foundation problems.

Basically, foundation consultants typically look anywhere where there’s a joining of two materials because those are weak spots: brick meets window, trim meets window, ceiling meets wall, etc.

6 most common signs of foundation issues include:

  1. Water bill inconsistencies:  If your water bill shoots up suddenly, it may indicate a foundation issue related to a plumbing leak.
  2. Odors: A foul order coming from soil near house is another warning sign of foundation problems.
  3. Cracks: This is the most common issue homeowners notice. Signs of foundation issues in relation to cracks include several cracks popping up on walls, near ceilings above doors and in corners.
  4. Doors and door frames: If you begin to notice that doors are not opening or shutting properly or are not matching to the frame properly as it once did, this is another foundation issue indication.
  5. Separation of freeze boards (the jointed trim near the roofline and on the corners of the home): When you are able to see a separation in this area, it often signifies that the foundation is moving. Experts look for separation higher up, which is easier to spot.
  6. Expansion joints (the lines in between bricks that look like caulking): Expansion joints exist to help combat the issue of moving bricks, since bricks typically don’t allow any sort of movement. But, when there’s an issue, you can see displacement, usually near the top of the wall.

Remember, if at any point there’s a concern that your home may have foundation issues, it’s important to act immediately. While you can live in a house with foundation problems, it’s not recommended you ignore them. If you believe you may have a foundation issue after evaluating your home for these common signs, it’s time to consult a foundation expert.

Companies, like our DFW-based Stratum Foundation Repair, offer free foundation inspections to get to the bottom of the issue. Our foundation repair company will help you resolve whether or not there’s an issue and, if so, what you can do to resolve it.  We’ll also help you assess both the current problem and also create a plan that helps combat any future foundation issues from occurring.

Now that you’re able to better determine whether or not you may have a foundation issue, we’ll next dive into the foundation repair process so you’ll get a better understand of what to expect. Go here to read Part 3 in the series.

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