/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation and Landscaping/ 0 Comments

Will Foundation Repair Destroy My Landscaping?

Many North Texas homeowners recognize the signs of a settling foundation. However, some hesitate to take action, fearing the process will destroy their landscape. This will hurt the curb appeal they have invested so much in to make their property an eye-turner. The truth is that foundation repair will have some impact on your landscape. There is simply no way around this especially if the work requires excavation. The question is the degree of impact.

Foundation Repairs Don’t Always Disturb the Landscape

There are some instances where your landscape will be mostly unaffected. If you detect damage early on, the foundation may simply have settled or sloped by an inch or two. If you need only minor work, affect is minimal.

214-463-2974
Contact Align Foundation Repair for repairs that won’t disturb your landscape.

What Factors Will Affect Changes to the Landscape?

If damage is severe enough, it may require concrete or steel piers and beams. These need to be installed below the foundation. Naturally, this requires digging. The extent to which this will affect the landscape depends on multiple factors, such as:

  • The degree of concrete damage
  • The size of your property
  • Physical obstructions like tree roots

As a general rule, the excavation work will require a minimum working space of 4-feet beyond the foundation’s perimeter. Anything inside the boundary can get disturbed. Beyond the digging, an area will need to be allotted for displacing the soil from the excavation. Existing foliage may have to be removed to create room for the work to be done.

214-463-2974
Lower the chance of landscape disruption by contacting us early. Contact Align Foundation Repair today for a free estimate.

How to Restore the Landscape

After determining the appropriate remediation steps, the technician will assess ways to keep landscape disruption to a minimum.
Keep in mind that if you have trees or shrubs that fall within the working space, they may have to be uprooted and moved. We must stress though, that this is actually beneficial. A tree that close to your home poses a risk to your foundation. The roots can extend and shift the soil below the foundation, causing shifting that can crack or split the concrete.

We Keep Landscape Damage to a Minimum

We will do our very best to minimize any damage to your landscape. If portions of your landscaping are affected, we will provide you with foundation landscaping options to restore the curb appeal. Call Align Foundation Repair for an evaluation and free estimate.

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation Repair Process/ / 0 Comments

How Long Does It Take to Repair a Foundation?

Repairing a foundation doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process, but it generally will take more than a single day to finish. For a quick answer, foundation repair usually takes about two to three days. However, due to a number of factors and variables, it may be shorter or longer in duration. After an initial evaluation, an inspector can give you an accurate timeline.

Degree of Damage

How badly is the foundation damaged, sinking, or sloping? If the damage is limited to a small crack or settlement of a few inches, then the foundation repair process can be completed in as little as a day.

We recommend that homeowners be pro-active and schedule an inspection if you notice signs of movement. An evaluation can spot early signs of troubles before they evolve and require costlier and more time-consuming repairs.

214-463-2974
Seeing signs of trouble in your foundation? Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

When Do Projects Take Longer?

Multiple factors can prolong a project. The scope (amount of piers needed) is the main determining factor to length of repair.

Another scenario is a home with heavy foliage. The dense landscape may present obstacles and require a special workaround to ensure disturbance to the area is minimal.

Additional Factors

Other unexpected complications can arise. If it suddenly rains, for instance, that can delay repairs until the weather clears. There have also been instances where we detect signs of a plumbing leak, which was a major contributor to the damage. In this scenario, the plumbing may have to be addressed before we can proceed further.

214-463-2974
Contact Align Foundation Repair to deal with water damage to your foundation.

The same goes if a tree is present. The roots can grow beneath the foundation and may even be a cause of the damage. The roots may force technicians to work around it. If that’s not possible, then root removal may be required, which is a separate process and can add to the timeframe.

These factors can come into play and prolong the foundation repair timeline. However, more often than not, repairs go according to schedule and within the evaluator’s initial estimated duration. We do advise homeowners, though, to prepare for an additional day or two just in case an unexpected scenario comes up.

We Repair Foundations in North Texas

We will make every effort to complete the job in as short a time possible and keep home disruption to a minimum. However, we will absolutely be sure we do the job right. If you reside in the Dallas Fort Worth area, call Align Foundation Repair to schedule an evaluation. Remember, the sooner a problem is detected the better the chance of restoring your foundation quickly and with few if any complications. We can advise you as to the expected foundation repair length when we provide a free evaluation of your home. Call today to schedule an appoint with one of our qualified foundation experts.

Condo rooftops and chimneys
/ By Chase Gohl / Signs of Foundation Issues/ / 0 Comments

How Can You Tell if You Have a Healthy Home Foundation?

The foundation is the base your home rests upon. It goes without saying that it’s hugely important, yet, it’s often overlooked because the structure itself is out of sight. There are signs that will let you know that you have a healthy home foundation and that the structure remains capable of supporting your house. If the concrete is in good condition, there should NOT be any:

  • Puddling water adjacent to the home perimeter
  • Doors and windows that do not open and close properly
  • New cracks or existing cracks getting larger on the wall, floor, or ceiling

Even if there are no obvious signs of foundation problems, there may still be lurking damage. You will have to explore deeper to detect the early warning signs.

Check for Pooling Water

We suggest an evaluation of the home exterior for pooling water around the border of the home. Water presence is not a sign of a healthy foundation; ponding water is absorbed by the soil, causing a continuous cycle of expansion and contraction. The soil essentially “heaves”. In turn, this causes the foundation to shift in its place; over time, this leads to the concrete fracturing and even completely splitting apart. This is especially an issue in the North Texas area because the soil in the region is heavily clay and loam-based. These elements are highly porous.

214-463-2974
If water is pooling at the base of your foundation, contact Align Foundation Repair today.

A healthy home foundation should have a functioning drainage system that prevents water from puddling too close to the home. If you see puddles lingering for extended periods following rain, then there may be a backup or other issue with your drain.

Evaluate the Landscape

A landscape rich in foliage substantially adds to the curb appeal. However, think twice before planting trees or shrubs too close to the home. The roots can expand meters in length and steal vital moisture which causes foundation settling. It can also burst an underground pipe, causing a leak that causes the aforementioned soil heaving.

If you want to add trees to your property, then consider this guide:

  • Trees 30-feet tall or less, keep at least 10-feet from home
  • Trees 70-feet tall or more: at least 30-feet from home
  • Trees between 30 and 70-feet, at least 20-feet from home
214-463-2974
Be careful with the roots of your trees. If they’ve come too close to your foundation, contact Align Foundation Repair today.

Cracks in the Home

We mentioned cracks earlier. Seeing a hairline fracture is no immediate cause for alarm, as this may simply be due to the home settling. However, if you see new fissures or existing ones expanding, then that may be signs of the foundation shifting.

We Inspect and Repair Home Foundations

We cannot overemphasize the importance of a healthy home foundation. If it begins shifting or breaking apart, the home itself will incur serious consequences. If you spot any of the signs of a compromised foundation, please give Align Foundation Repair a call and schedule your free evaluation and estimate.

Benefits of Steel Piling
/ By Chase Gohl / Structural Support/ / 0 Comments

Why Use Steel Piers for Your Foundation?

It goes without saying that a foundation needs to be exceptionally sturdy. After all, it needs to bear the entire weight of a building and do so for decades and amidst everchanging outdoor elements. Over time, the concrete will slowly but surely show signs of damage. Steel foundation piers are one form of repair recommended by Align Foundation Repair and for good reason. Steel piers have become a mainstay for both residences and commercial structures due to their proven reliability and ease of installation.

Why Steel Piers?

Steel piers provide a stable base for a foundation and re-elevate the concrete that has settled or sloped at an uneven angle. Steel piers also support extremely heavy structures, such as public bridges and multi-floor apartment complexes.

Steel piers mainly fall into one of two categories: push steel piers and helical steel piers.

  • Push Steel Piers – Consists of a set of hollow steel pipes driven into the soil using a hydraulic ram. The piers are driven way below to the depth of the load-bearing soil. Commonly used for supporting heavier loads.
  • Helical Steel Piers – This variant involves steel pipes with plates attached at the end. You can think of them as giant screws; unlike push piers, they are screwed in as opposed to being hydraulically driven into the soil.

The Steel Pier Advantage

Align Foundation Repair often recommends steel piers as a long-term solution for existing foundations. The reason becomes clear when you learn of its many advantages.

For one, steel piers are able to remain stable over time. The stability and sturdiness also make the piers suitable for most soil types. The soil conditions in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth region are heavily clay-based. Clay soil is often a problem for foundations because of their susceptibility to contraction and expansion from moisture absorption.

Long-Term Solution That Doesn’t Cost an Arm and a Leg

Despite the insertion of heavy steel piers, modern technology allows the process to be done without heavy digging or exhumation around your property. Costs are also affordable. Steel piers are the most recommended solution in the construction industry. The long-term results also minimize the odds of future foundation repair costs.

Entrust Foundation Repairs to Align Foundation Repair

Foundation damage is often gradual. You can and should take action before the damage gets worse. Action on your end should include a call to Align Foundation Repair. We will send a technician to assess the degree of damage and outline a solution. Contact us today to learn more about the many uses of steel piers and to reverse the impacts of a settling or sloping foundation.

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation Maintenance/ / 0 Comments

Should I Remodel My Home or Do Foundation Repairs First?

Whether you just bought a fixer-upper or have lived in your existing home for years and want to refresh the space, we recommend a foundation inspection before beginning any remodeling work. If foundation repair is required, it should always take precedence over home renovations. Find out why.

Can Renovations Come Before Foundation Repairs?

As a general rule, you should always address structural issues before partaking in any remodeling work.

Foundation problems usually include concrete settling or sloping. As the problem gets worse over time, it can cause serious damage to parts of the home, such as the exterior’s brick masonry or the interior’s tile flooring.

There is also the chance that the faulty foundation can cause plumbing damage, such as pipe ruptures. With a remodeling first approach, you risk serious damage to a newly refurbished home.

Can you imagine watching in horror as that new marble countertop or maple hardwood floor is cracked just weeks within installation? Some homeowners have indeed experienced this and it’s disheartening. On top of that, they also incur additional costs from having to repair those recent remodeling components.

How to Prevent Damage to a Newly Renovated Home

A foundation inspection should be a part of your renovation plan. A North Texas foundation repair may be necessary if you detect any of the following:

  • Cracks in the walls or floors either in the exterior or interior
  • Cracks in glass, such as the windows and sliding doors
  • Windows and doors won’t fully open or shut, or require extra force to do so
  • A noticeable tilt in the floor
  • A split in the area where the wall and ceiling meet

Some of these symptoms can simply be due to an aging home and are actually what prompts homeowners to begin renovation in the first place. However, a foundation inspection is an assurance and prevents needless hassle, heartache, and additional repairs when everything should be complete.

We Evaluate and Inspect Foundations

Remember foundation repair for remodeling is not a strict requirement. However, it’s highly recommended because the consequences are far more disheartening and financially costly if repairs are done post-renovation. If you have a remodeling planned, call Align Foundation Repair for an evaluation. We provide a free estimate should repairs be needed.

/ By Chase Gohl / Pier and Beam Repair/ 0 Comments

Pier and Beam Foundation Pros and Cons

In most of the South, including the Dallas metro area, there are two popular styles of foundations. Slab foundations are simply a solid concrete surface on which the house sits. Pier and beam foundations are a bit more complex. They feature piers of rebar and concrete that are anchored deep in the ground. Beams then connect the various piers and distribute the weight of the house. Whether you’re planning on building a house, in the market for a home, or make a living selling homes, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of pier and beam foundation design. Here’s a breakdown from the experts at Align Foundation Repair:

Pier and Beam Foundation Advantages

  • Stability Over Time: One of the main pier and beam foundation benefits is stability over time on loose soil. If you’re building on soft ground, or on soil that expands and contracts due to moisture, a slab foundation may shift. Since pier and beam designs are similar to building on stilts, they allow for a crawl space between the ground and your home. This means there will be little shift in your foundation as the years go by.
  • Easy Access to Utilities: Another perk of the crawl space between your home and the earth is easier access to utilities. If you want to add a bathroom, or rewire cable or electricity it will be a breeze with a pier and beam foundation.
  • Less Likely to Flood: Since pier and beam foundations are usually elevated approximately 2’ off the ground, they are less prone to minor or moderate flooding. If you live in a flood prone area, you may want to choose to build your home with a pier and beam foundation for this reason alone.

Pier and Beam Foundation Disadvantages

  • Vermin: Unwanted guests may try to make their home in the crawl space created by a pier and beam foundation. A lattice around your foundation can be an attractive way to keep larger animals out. Should you have an insect infestation, it’s best to call a professional exterminator.
  • Mold and Mildew: Moisture underneath a pier and beam foundation house can lead to mold and mildew buildups. This can cause an unpleasant odor in your home.
  • Creaky Floors: Floors built on pier and beam foundations are more likely to creak as you move around your home. While some noise is normal, it can be a sign of a larger problem.

If something seems off with your pier and beam foundation, don’t hesitate to call a pro. Contact the pier and beam specialists at Align Foundation Repair today, and make sure your foundation stays strong for many years to come.

Drilled Pier for Home Foundation
/ By Chase Gohl / Pier and Beam Repair/ 0 Comments

Pier and Beam Foundation Problems

Pier and beam foundations are commonplace in the North Texas, area due to the construction generally working well for the soil conditions in the region. Nevertheless, the foundation isn’t without its problems, especially when exposed to weather and temperature extremes. We’ll highlight some of the common pier and beam foundation issues and what homeowners can do about it.

The Common Issues at a Glance

Water can cause movement of both interior and exterior areas. Too much water in the soil can cause the piers to sink. This can also cause piers to tilt, resulting in beam destabilization if one pier sags deeper than another. In turn, this causes components like the door and window to get out of kilter and not open or shut properly.

With a moist environment also comes a flooded crawlspace. The moisture can also make its way into the joists and beams, setting the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. In turn, this leads to wood rot. Moldy wood is also a festering ground for termites.

Another issue is shim failure, which is often due to poor construction and use of inferior materials, such as plywood or sheet-rock. Steel shims are far sturdier.

Signs of a Damaged Pier and Beam Foundation

The signs are similar to that of other foundational issues. This includes cracks where the wall and ceiling meet. You may also notice cracks in areas with concrete, such as garage and basement floors. If the concrete is chipping or flaking, then that may be another symptom. This is especially the case of older homes, which often contain inferior concrete made from salty sand.

How to Prevent Pier and Beam Foundation Problems

It’s apparent that water is a prime attributor of pier and beam issues. Prevention, therefore, revolves mainly around water buildup prevention and watering during dry times.

• Clean the gutters and clear it of leaves, dirt, and other debris.
• Redirect the downspout. As a general rule, the spout should be at least 5-feet away from the base of the house.
• Consider a French drain system. We especially recommend this if your home is located on the downward portion of a slope that makes it susceptible to pooling water.

We Correct Pier and Beam Issues

Contact Align Foundation Repair if you notice any of the symptoms above. Pier and Beam foundation problems require immediate remediation. Letting the problem exacerbate can result in greater damage to the home. Get a free estimate on pier and beam foundation repair from the experts at Align Foundation Repair before it gets worse.

Crack in a cinder block building foundation
/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation Maintenance/ / 0 Comments

Why Waiting on Fixing Your Foundation Can Cause More Problems

Who isn’t guilty of procrastination? People by nature have an out of sight out of mind mentality. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental when it comes to the health of your home and especially the foundation. Holding off seemingly minor repairs can lead to much more severe issues down the line.

  • Some foundation problems progress slowly and others progress rapidly.
  • There is no way to know simply by eyeballing the damage whether it is progressing slowly or rapidly
  • Foundation changes can mean added damage when lifting is required, or a need to work on the interior of the house
  • Waiting until the damage progresses can add to the cost of the repair
  • Sometimes waiting until the problem is bad leads to reduction in repairability

Do Foundation Problems Always Get Worse?

Foundations tend to sink over time due to the contraction of the soil, caused by back-and-forth moisture retention and dry spells. Early indicators of a compromised foundation include visible cracks in the walls or jammed windows and doors. If you ignore these signs, the symptoms can exacerbate to larger cracks or even complete separation in the walls. Does it always get worse? Not always, but it does more often than not due to the soil conditions in the North Texas area.

214-463-2974
Seeing signs of trouble in your foundation? Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

The Consequences of Neglecting Repairs

Ignoring repairs can cause spreading structural damage. A weakened foundation has a domino effect where the damage can spread to areas like the floors, walls, ceiling, and window frames. Other damages include:

  • Plumbing – As the cracks begin to form, the damage can spread to the pipes. Leaky water leeches into the soil, creating the aforementioned contraction.
  • Lost Property Value – Continued foundation damage leads to a decline in the home’s value. A real estate agent will not agree to put the property up for sale until costly repairs are made.
  • Further Brick and Sheetrock Issues – Sinking foundations can cause horizontal or “stair-step” cracks in brick exteriors that in extreme cases can grow to 1″ wide. These cracks may allow water to seep into the basement, exacerbating damage to the foundation. Similarly, foundation damage can cause serious cracking in sheetrock, which may have to be replaced at a steep cost adding on to the expense of repairing the foundation issues that caused the cracking in the first place.
  • Framing Issues – Sinking foundations can cause serious framing damage that can be very costly to repair. Cracked foundations can sink into the ground (especially at the corners of the building) causing damage to wall studs, roof rafters, door frames, ceiling joists, and more. If pressure from deformed framing is strong enough, doors and windows may not open. Framing lumber may need to be entirely replaced after the foundation is repaired.
  • Roof Damage – Shifts in the foundation can also cause roof damage, telltale signs of which include sagging or bowing in the roofline, or sections with bulges or dips. If the damage is severe enough, sections of the roof may need to be replaced.
214-463-2974
Head off foundation damage before it can get this extreme. Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

Don’t Let Foundation Damage Linger

The faster you act the more foundation repair options you have at your disposal, and the more affordable they are likely to be. Contact Align Foundation Repair at the first signs of a damaged foundation. Swift remediation from our Garland foundation repair service ensures you don’t end up with more serious and costly issues months or years down the road.

 

Commercial Foundation Repair Digging
/ By Chase Gohl / DFW Foundation Tips/ 0 Comments

Foundation Repair Industries Served

Whether residential or commercial, all buildings require periodic inspection to determine the condition of the foundation. We serve multiple industries across the Dallas, TX, area regardless of foundation type.

Industries we service:

Single Family Rental and Rehab 

  • We work with investors who own anywhere from one house to 1000
  • Special pricing available
  • We understand how investment properties work and have ongoing relationships with well over 200 investors in the DFW area

Multifamily Investing 

  • We have experience working with owners of one complex, as well as owners that have large portfolios
  • We provide a very in-depth inspection, so the ownership can feel comfortable they are covering their concerns properly
  • Concrete raising at apartments – save thousands as opposed to concrete grinding and replacement
214-463-2974 .
We repair apartment foundations. Contact Align Foundation Repair today for a free estimate.

Realtors 

  • We have built strong, long-lasting relationships with many realtors in DFW
  • Fast inspections times
  • Members of North Texas Association of Realtors (have Supra Access)

Homeowners 

  • Very in-depth inspection
  • Professional on time inspectors
  • Clean crews in company trucks

Homeowners

Our primary clients make up of residential homeowners in the Dallas and greater area. This includes owners of single to multi-floor homes, condos, town houses, properties part of a homeowner’s association, etc. We conduct a comprehensive inspection and report our findings to the homeowner without using complex industry jargon. Inspections are noninvasive with minimal disruption to the homeowner and adjacent neighbors. Proactive home repair ensures dwellings are on par with local ordinance.

214-463-2974
Homes are the Align Foundation Repair specialty. Get in touch with us today.

Government-Owned Property

This includes state-level buildings, such as schools, hospitals, city halls, etc. Foundation inspections are vital to ensure these facilities are safe to occupy for the public and employees. We regularly inspect facilities owned and operated by state government. As they are the entity that establishes building code protocol, they have to ensure their own facilities are up to standards.

Realtors

We regularly work with real estate agents. Some are regular clients of ours, and they have come to trust us for our timely and trustworthy inspections. Several of the agents we serve include members of the North Texas Association of Realtors. Inspections ensure homes are in sellable condition and that homeowners sell their property at the maximum possible value. We perform DFW foundation repairs at the behest of realtors, brokers, and valuators to ensure the property is ready for the market.

214-463-2974
Contact Align Foundation Repair and sell your home for the best value.

Investors

We serve numerous investors, house flippers, etc. We cover multiple foundation repair service areas. We have established relationships with Dallas-based investors that invest in upwards of 1,000+ homes. This category also includes landlords who operate multiple apartment complexes and multi-housing communities. We perform concrete raising on apartments and provide a safe living environment for the hundreds of tenants that reside in renting accommodations. At present, we have established working relationships with over 200 property investors and their staff.

Our Client Profile Is Diverse

As you can see, the DFW foundation repair industries we serve are far-reaching and go well beyond homeowners and business owners. Regardless of which industry or category you fall under, call Align Foundation Repair if you require a foundation inspection. Periodic surveying ensures the foundation is up to building code.

/ By Chase Gohl / Concrete Sinking Issues/ / 0 Comments

Concrete Grinding vs Leveling: Which Is Superior?

Concrete leveling is a commonplace method for repairing a driveway or sidewalk. The procedure may entail one of two techniques: concrete grinding or leveling. What are the differences between concrete grinding and leveling? Each of these methods have their respective advantages, and an evaluation from a professional at Align Foundation Repair will determine which method is appropriate for a residential or commercial job.

Concrete Grinding

Concrete grinding is exactly what its name suggests. A tool is used to grind the concrete surface. This removes the rough outer portion, revealing a smooth surface. Concrete grinding is mainly a cosmetic procedure and is commonly used in areas like home driveways, public sidewalks, and warehouse floors. Concrete grinding is also used when home or business owners wish to install hardwood or tile over the concrete. Concrete grinding in this instance is often a pre-installation requirement to ensure a flat surface.

214-463-2974
Contact Align Foundation Repair for experienced concrete grinding services.

Other applications for concrete grinding include:

  • Restoration of spalled areas
  • Restoring surfaces too rough for bare feet
  • Removal of old paint, adhesives, and mastics

So, how do you grind material as hard as concrete? Modern grinding equipment include synthetic diamond tools. Depending on the type of concrete, the diamond is sorted according to grit and mesh for producing the desired results.

Leveling

Leveling is also known as mudjacking. The method is employed to raise a concrete that is uneven or settling to the bottom. In the procedure, polyurethane is pumped into the area below the concrete to fill any voids and gaps. In lieu of polyurethane, the process may also include using a slurry mixture of soil, water, and cement.

214-463-2974.
Take advantage of our leveling expertise. Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

Regardless of filler type, once the mixture cures and hardens, it raises the concrete so it’s even and flush with the surrounding surface. The process is non-invasive; contrary to popular belief, it does not involve digging up the concrete. The polyurethane or cement mixture filler is injected below the concrete via a drilled hole about one-inch in diameter.

The entire process can be completed in a matter of hours. The hole for pumping the polyurethane is also patched upon completion and completely unnoticeable. Leveling is a common procedure in the Dallas Fort-Worth area due to the porous soil conditions.

We Restore Sinking Concrete

So, concrete grindings vs leveling: which is right for your foundation repair? Call Align Foundation Repair for an inspection. After an initial evaluation, a technician will recommend the best method for your residential or commercial needs. Leveled concrete is integral from both a functional and cosmetic standpoint. No need to debate over which method to use — let a qualified professional from Align Foundation Repair make the determination as part of your free estimate.