Cleaning gutters during the summer time.
/ By adminrm / Seasonal Foundation Tips/ • • • / 0 Comments

Spring Home Improvement Checks That Will Benefit Your Foundation

Spring is the perfect season for home improvement projects. The days are longer, the temperatures are warming up, and it’s a great time to get outdoors and tackle those much-needed chores around the house. This checklist will help keep your property in tip-top shape while also benefitting your foundation.

Spring Home Improvement Projects to Preserve Your Foundation

If you notice exterior cracks, foundation settling, or doors that won’t open or close properly during your Spring overhaul, call Align Foundation Repair for all of your Richardson foundation repair needs. Our professional contractors can determine what measures are necessary – if any – and recommend foundation repair services that will work within your budget.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters and downspouts play a vital role in keeping water damage and leaks at bay. For this reason, a thorough gutter examination and cleaning should be performed every spring. Remove fallen leaves, branches, and debris to ensure that water is draining away from your home’s foundation. Pooling water near the foundation can lead to extensive damage over time, causing the home to sink and settle.

Test the Irrigation System

Sprinklers have a definite lifespan, so it’s worth checking each unit to ensure it’s working properly when spring rolls around. Look for cracked or broken heads, and also directional sprays. Run each irrigation zone separately, and walk the garden to look for problems. Adjust sprinklers that are spraying the side of the house or patio, as this can create moisture problems in the foundation, and also waste water.

Check Exterior Walls

Number three on your spring home improvement checklist is inspecting exterior walls. Look for mildew, pest damage, and cracks. Cracks found in walls over windows and doorways could indicate that the house is settling more dramatically than normal. While it’s not cause for panic, it’s best to address problems promptly before they get any worse, and more expensive to fix.

Look for Foundation Cracks

While it’s perfectly normal for foundations to settle and develop tiny fissures in the early years following construction, larger gaps and cracks can be cause for concern. Foundation damage can be caused by poor drainage, as well as weather and soil conditions. If you suspect warning signs of structural damage, always get a professional opinion.

Expert Foundation Repair Richardson TX

These tips can help prepare your home for the coming season, and potentially ward off problems that could undermine the integrity of your foundation. If you’re looking for foundation repair contractors Richardson TX property owners rely on, you’ve come to the right place.

Schedule a free estimate today anywhere in our Richardson foundation repair service area. Align Foundation Repair is dedicated to providing our customers the highest quality service, and our work is backed by an industry-leading warranty.

man with water hose watering the grass
/ By adminrm / Seasonal Foundation Tips/ • • / 0 Comments

Should I Water My Foundation in Texas During Winter?

Yes, you should water the soil around your Texas home year-round to avoid foundational issues that can lead to cracked walls, doors that stick, uneven floors, and structural hazards. During the cooler, dryer months of winter, the soil around your Texas home can dry out and shrink, causing the foundation to settle or tip and leading to costly damages to your home.

Richardson foundation repair work can be avoided by keeping the soil moist throughout the entire year and scheduling regular inspections.

How winter weather can affect your foundation

Foundation problems during colder months aren’t caused by a poor-quality foundation but relate to the soil that the foundation sits on. Texas soil is predominantly made up of clay, including black gumbo and caliche, which typically react to changes in water. Changes in the amount of moisture in the air can lead to soil cracking. If your soil cracks, it can lead to uneven settling of your foundation.

How to protect your foundation this winter

Keeping the moisture level of your soil consistent around the year can help prevent shifting and settling. Here are two steps to keeping your soil moist in the winter:

  1. Use a soaker hose or an in-ground sprinkler system and set it up approximately 18 inches from the foundation of your home.
  2. Use less water than you would during summer. The summer heat can cause more evaporation, so even though winter droughts in Texas can cause more drying, the cooler weather allows the soil to soak up and keep more of the water it receives.

Top tips for watering the soil around your foundation

  • Avoid over-watering. Using too much water can make the ground too soft. If the ground starts to become squishy, stop watering.
  • Don’t place the soaker hose in direct contact with the foundation as it can lead to water pooling, turning your firm soil into mud. This can affect the soil’s ability to support your home’s foundation.
  • Avoid connecting more than one soaker hose, which can lead to uneven watering.
  • Ensure watering won’t drain towards your house by filling any low-lying places that may collect water near your home.
  • If the amount of water your neighbor is using affects the soil on your property, ask them to stop.

How often should you water your soil?

How often you need to water can depend on how dry it is during winter. If we don’t get much rain during January or February, it’s essential to water the soil of your foundation at least two to three times throughout the month, for approximately 20 minutes at a time. Keep an eye on your sprinkler or soaker hose, and ensure you don’t overwater the soil. You’re aiming to keep a consistent moisture level in the soil around your foundation, so if it’s a really dry winter, you may need to water more frequently.

How do I check if my foundation is damaged?

We recommend that you check the exterior of your home during winter to look for cracks or issues that may affect your foundation—however, foundation damage isn’t always as apparent. Scheduling an inspection with Richardson foundation repair experts could help you identify potential issues early, before they turn into larger problems, saving you time, money, and headaches in the future.

Foundation repair Richardson TX contractors

If you need foundation repair services in Richardson, TX, contact Align Foundation Repair. Our family-run business prides itself on customer service and offers free repair estimates to help you plan your home maintenance needs. In addition to our Richardson foundation repair service area, we also service the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact our foundation repair contractors in Richardson, TX today to schedule a free inspection for your home.

Tree root and green grass
/ By adminrm / Foundation and Landscaping/ • • • / 0 Comments

Tips to Help Prevent Root-Related Foundation Damage

Tree and shrub roots can spread throughout your foundation, weakening its structure and causing it to fail. Roots can also drain the soil of needed moisture, causing the earth itself to move your foundation out of place. These problems can reveal themselves as unlevel floors, doors or windows that stick, or an unpleasant musty odor throughout your home.

There are several ways to help protect your foundation from root-related problems. But sometimes the harm has already occurred. If this sounds like your situation, then we urge you to get in touch with us here at Align Foundation Repair and schedule a free inspection from our knowledgeable and experienced professional contractors. Acting sooner rather than later is important, as foundation damage will worsen over time and if left unchecked can be more expensive to repair down the road.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Root Damage to Your Home

There are a number of time-tested ways to prevent tree and shrub roots from damaging your foundation. These include:

  • Choosing your trees and shrubs with care – in general, it’s better to choose slow-growing plants with minimal water needs. Your local landscaper can provide useful information.
  • Allowing adequate space between your foundation and your trees or shrubs – for example, hardwood trees should be planted at least 20 feet from your home. Again, your local landscaper or garden center provide advice on specific plants.
  • Installing a root barrier – this is a flexible shield constructed from polyethylene (HDPE) that encircles the perimeter of a tree or shrub. When buried or driven into the ground, it directs roots downward and away from your residence.

How Roots Can Make Foundation Repair in Richardson TX Necessary

Here are three ways that tree and shrub roots can pose a threat to your home’s foundation:

  1. By drying out the earth around your home – trees and shrubs use a lot of water. For example, a mature oak tree can require 50 gallons of water a day or more to stay healthy. By drawing this moisture from the soil around your house, they can cause the foundation to expand and eventually crack.
  2. By shifting the soil – tree and shrub roots can also change the distribution of dirt around your home, causing your foundation to either heave upward or sink deeper into the ground.
  3. By digging into the foundation itself – you can think of tree and shrub roots as subterranean spear points that are constantly probing your foundation for weaknesses. Eventually, they will find their way into existing cracks or create new ones altogether, spreading weakness throughout the entire structure.

Foundation Repair Contractors Richardson Texas

If your home is experiencing structural problems, here’s how our foundation repair contractors in Richardson, TX, can help:

  • By getting to the “root” of the problem – we’ll use our decades of training and experience to find out exactly what’s going on with your foundation.
  • By providing a no-obligation quote for your consideration – so you’ll have the facts you need to decide if you want to proceed with repair work.
  • By helping you to explore financing options – we’ll do everything possible to make your Richardson foundation repair affordable.
  • By backing our work with our ironclad guarantee – giving you the peace of mind you need to relax and focus on other priorities.

For foundation repair Richardson TX homeowners can depend on, choose the experienced professionals at Align Foundation Repair. Getting in touch with us now will help you to avoid expensive and stressful problems later. If you live in our Richardson foundation repair service area, give us a call or reach out to us online today.

Home foundation repair inspection contractor
/ By adminrm / Foundation Maintenance/ • • • / 0 Comments

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Foundation Inspection

Checking your foundation may not necessarily be the first thing you think about when maintaining your home, but it’s an essential item on the checklist if you want to maintain your home’s integrity and avoid severe, costly damage.

Scheduling regular foundation inspections or reaching out to a professional at the first sign of damage for foundation repair services can help you identify and correct issues early before they become much larger problems for your home.

If you haven’t scheduled an appointment with foundation repair contractors in Richardson, TX yet, here are three reasons why you should:

#1 – Keep your family safe

An unstable foundation can be harmful to anyone living in the home. If the soil underneath your foundation has shifted or settled, then your home is no longer sitting on a secure and firm base. This can compromise the structural integrity of your home, which can impact your family’s safety. A foundation inspection can identify the extent of the issues and determine the best approach for fixing any problems. We specialize in Richardson foundation repair. We can identify what needs to be fixed so you and your family can continue to feel safe and secure in your home.

#2 – Preventing further damage

Being proactive and looking for any cracks or damage that may result from foundation issues can help prevent further damage. Small cracks can signify a minor problem with your foundation, or they could be the beginning of a more significant issue. At Align Foundation Repair, we can help resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Being proactive and detecting problems early can help to save you money in the long run by preventing more extensive damage that can occur if left untreated.

#3 – To help you make a sound investment

When buying a home, it’s vital to organize a foundation inspection as part of your due diligence. This can help identify if the house has any foundation issues that could end up costing you thousands. An inspection will enable you to determine the extent of any problems and whether it’s worthwhile to proceed with the purchase. As part of the inspection, we can detail the costs associated with foundation repair in Richardson, TX, so you can determine if you want to move ahead with the sale or amend your offer

When to arrange an inspection

An inspection is a good idea if you notice any of the following signs of foundation damage to your property.

  • Large cracks on your wall (usually about ⅛ inch or more)
  • Unevenness, sloping, or other changes to your floor
  • Doors or windows getting stuck or not closing properly
  • Neighboring homes are experiencing foundation problems

You should also consider scheduling an inspection if:

  • You haven’t yet had your foundation checked by a professional
  • You’re buying or selling your home

Who to contact for foundation repair, Richardson, TX

Align Foundation Repair is a family-owned business that proudly provides Richardson foundation repair services. In addition to the Richardson foundation repair service area, we also service the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind and contact our team today to schedule your free inspection and quote.

Cleaning gutters during the summer time.
/ By adminrm / DFW Foundation Tips/ / 0 Comments

Will Gutters Protect My Foundation?

Yes, gutters are crucial factors when it comes to protecting your home’s foundation. That’s because gutters direct rainwater away from your home instead of letting it collect around the exterior, where it can lead to serious damage and instability.

Will Gutters Around Your House Protect Your Foundation?

Here in North Texas, most residential foundations are made of either wood framing or poured cement. Both materials are vulnerable to water damage, especially when rain stays in contact with them for prolonged periods of time.

The problem can start as a small leak that invades your crawlspace. But over time it will grow worse, leading to serious issues like these:

  • Mold spores – that spread through your HVAC system into the very air that you and your loved ones breathe.
  • Mosquitoes and other insects – stagnant water underneath your home is the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of disease-carrying pests.
  • House settling – rainwater can seep beneath the walls of your foundation, eroding the soil that supports them and making them sink into the ground.
  • Floors that are no longer level – a sinking foundation can affect your home’s entire structure, causing floors to slope and windows and doors to stick in their frames.
214-463-2974
If you’re seeing any of these issue arise with your home, contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

At Align Foundation Repair, we understand the connection between gutters and your foundation and can help you to take proactive steps to protect the underlying structure and stability of your home.

When It’s Time to Call a Foundation Repair Company

Unfortunately, foundation problems are not always obvious. It can take months or even years for a homeowner to notice that something is wrong. In the meantime, the situation with your house foundation will continue to worsen.

For this reason, we urge you to keep your gutters clean and in good shape. Give them a close visual inspection after every storm, and keep an eye out for water around your foundation.

If you suspect that damage has already occurred, then it’s important to get in touch with foundation experts serving North Texas today.

At Align Foundation Repair, our technicians have the equipment and the expertise to diagnose and fix all types of home foundation problems, from minor to severe.

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

Foundation Protection in Dallas-Fort Worth

Align Foundation Repair has been serving the people of Dallas-Fort Worth and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Our rates are fair, our work is guaranteed, and we’re happy to provide references from past customers.

The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner you can put our foundation repair services to work for you. Reach out to our Dallas-Fort Worth foundation experts today or use our online contact form to request a free inspection and estimate.

professional workman in protective workwear
/ By adminrm / Seasonal Foundation Tips/ / 0 Comments

Winterize Your Home Foundation Before Winter Arrives

Foundation protection is just as important in the winter as during other seasons. Your preparations for cold temperatures should include:

  • Checking your foundation for cracks, holes, and other weak spots.
  • Wrapping your pipes to prevent them from freezing.
  • Occasionally watering the soil around your home to within 10 inches of the foundation.
  • Maintaining a minimum level of heat in your home at all times.

Let’s take a closer look at these important steps.

Don’t Let Pests Destroy Your Winter Foundation

When the mercury starts to plummet, critters may seek a warm spot like your crawlspace to ride out the cold weather. Unfortunately, by doing so, they can inflict serious harm on your foundation.

To prevent this problem, you should inspect your home’s exterior during late fall or early winter. Keep on the lookout for cracks, gaps, and holes that could admit insects or other pests.

Most small defects can be repaired by the homeowner with a concrete patch solution, which you’ll find at your local home improvement center. Larger openings are best left to foundation experts serving North Texas. If you notice damage to your foundation, minor or severe, don’t take any chances – reach out to Align Foundation Repair for your FREE inspection and quote.

Wrap Your Pipes to Prevent Them from Freezing

Frozen pipes can inflict terrible damage on a home’s foundation. And this problem is more common here in Texas than we once thought, as the events of recent winters have shown.

For this reason, we recommend wrapping your pipes in foam insulation to keep them above 32°. You’ll find products designed for this purpose at hardware and home improvement stores.

Keep the Soil Around Your Foundation Moist Throughout the Winter

It may sound odd, but dry dirt can damage your home. That’s because soil contracts as it loses moisture, weakening the support your foundation receives from the surrounding earth.

That’s why experts recommend using your garden hose or sprinklers every now and then on mild, sunny winter days. Sprinkle, but do not saturate the ground to within 10 inches of the foundation.

Once you finish this task, remember to shut off the water supply to your hose or sprinklers until its next use. Otherwise, you risk freeze damage.

Maintain a Minimum Level of Heat in Your Home

Turning off your heating system when you’re away from your house can lead to frozen or damaged pipes. Instead, you should keep the heat on but lower the thermostat setting by 7-10 degrees.

DFW Foundation Repair

Sometimes you can take all the precautions in the world and still need the help of professional foundation repair services. We invite you to contact our office today if you find yourself in this situation.

Our Dallas-Fort Worth foundation experts have decades of combined experience. Our rates are fair and we’re glad to provide references from past customers.

Contact us today for foundation repair during winter. You’ll soon have the facts you need to make an informed decision about the next steps to take to protect the value and stability of your home.