Welcome to my blog
Most people delay dealing with foundation issues because they are afraid of getting it wrong. And they often do!
Unless your home has experienced a major earthquake, mud slide, sinkhole or other catastrophic trauma, such as the image on the left, it is unlikely that the structure needs piers.
In most cases foundation movement with symptoms similar to the image on the right are the result of expansive soils shrinking and or swelling unevenly under and around the foundation, and usually do not need piers.
Most often what is referred to as foundation damage is, in reality, cosmetic damage to sheet-rock, brick, hard floor covering or door frames.
This is usually caused by expanding soils causing areas of the foundation to be lifted, independently, from the rest of the foundation.
When this is caught and stopped early the reversal of most of the movement is usually possible without costly piers.
In fact the installation of piers, where expanding soil is involved is at best non productive and will usually result in additional problems down the line.
Each instance of foundation movement is specific to its own situation. From the soil composition of the lot, to the slope of the lot, to what is or has been in, on, or under that specific lot.
Is there a spring or was there a pond or creek or outhouse or even a well, now, or at some time in the past on the area of the lot.
What was the land used for, farming? Was their an old settlement? Was it at one time a marsh? Any and all of these things may affect how your structure is affected by the soil.
Add to that how the lot was prepared. Cut and filled? Piered through fill soil or not? Retaining wall installed or required? Type of foundation? Type of foundation re-enforcement? How about vegetation before and after construction? Nearby construction after your home is finished? Pre-construction drainage, post-construction drainage, drainage after nearby construction? All of the above and more can go into causing foundation movement in your home or anything else built in or on expansive soils.
The most important question: what was the moisture level of the lot when the concrete was poured. That will go a long way in determining how to address and control any foundation movement and or damage.
People that follow my blog will, learn how to recognize foundation movement that may lead to structural damage. They should also learn generalized steps toward preventing foundation movement, stopping foundation movement and often reversing negative foundation movement.
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If you have explored foundation repair, who do you believe? I suggest you learn as much about the foundation repair business as possible.
The foundation Man with Grand-kids.
Hello, I am Richard Rash and my blog is aimed at helping you sort through those issues. If the blog isn’t enough give me a call and we can talk.
By following my blog, you should gain great insight on how to avoid foundation problems, stop foundation movement and reverse foundation damage.
I have been in the foundation business for over 35 years and been acting as an independent foundation and drainage consultant to property owners since 2005.
Foundation man in pier hole 1981
I probably know as much, and maybe more, about foundation damage and how to deal with it than anyone in North Texas.
My job is to keep you from getting taken advantage of by builders, foundation and drainage contractors, as well as, anyone else who may seek to take advantage of you where a structural foundation is involved. This may include plumbers, insurance companies, remodeling contractors, realtors or engineers.
Here are some things you will learn from upcoming issues of the Foundation Mans Blog:
- · How to tell If you have foundation damage that needs immediate attention and repairs.
- · If you just have simple cosmetic damage caused by minor foundation movement.
- · Conventional repair methods.
- · Alternative repair methods.
- · If you can, and wish to do it yourself I will explain how.
- · Fraud, scams, myths and omissions by those in the foundation business.
- · Watering your foundation.
- · Different types of piers.
- · Different types of drainage correction methods.
- · How plumbing leaks affects foundations.
- Likely, most important how the soils affect your structure.
· I can and will go on an on……….including vague bids, worthless elevations and warranties designed to protect the contractor.
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So…. Who benefits from my blog and my service?
Anyone who wants to avoid foundation problems, thinks they may have foundation or drainage damage, and wants to know how bad it is. Anyone wanting to know what is causing the damage, what can be done to prevent more damage, as well as, what can be done to stop or reverse the currant damage.
Knowing these things can immediately lower your stress level, save you money and give you the peace of mind, that you have fixed it correctly and permanently.
I take my responsibility very seriously. When it comes to foundation and drainage issues my job is to alleviate your stress. To let you know what you need, why you need it, what is the most you should pay for it and how to maintain it.
Every year thousands of Texans are sold repairs that do not work for their specific problem and which often cause additional distress.
Many more people, with what they think might be foundation problems, but are not, are sold piers and other costly “repairs” that were completely un-necessary and that could have been easily remedied with drainage or other simple maintenance.
One of the reasons that these things can and do happen is because there is no state licensing or over site in Texas. If you want to be a foundation contractor, pass out flyers, get a down payment. Then hire some laborers off the street, rent some equipment and try not to screw the structure up. That’s all it takes.
Other reasons that it is hard to get a fair deal with foundation repair are as follows:
· There are way too many foundations companies, with untrained salespeople, who are trying to sell un-need products. If you get five bids you will almost surely receive five different recommendations. Different types of piers, different numbers or piers and different placement of piers.
· Many foundation repair companies say and do anything to sell piers and have sale people who are paid on commission, and are pressured to sell piers, needed or not. If they don’t sell piers, they don’t eat.
· Many foundation companies have relationships with “independent “engineers, with who they have a “I’ll scratch your back and you scratch mine” arraignment. In other words, engineers who get paid to stamp pier recommendations, often without seeing the structure.
· This is a big one: Foundation repair companies who use nonscientific “elevations” to sell piers, which is bad science and a scam. If they take elevations, make them show you the original elevations of the house, to sea-level, that they use as a benchmark. It won’t work without a benchmark and nobody has the benchmark!
· Foundation companies give vague bids, mis-leading contracts and “Lifetime Warrantees” written for the contractor and not the consumer. They all seem to Be the same.
Questions? Follow my blog or call me and I will explain each of the above statements!
Be sure and subscribe to my blog. I intent to send out small concise packets of information two to three times a week.
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