Are you planning to get your foundation repaired? Considering doing a DIY job?
Foundation is an essential component of your home. The entire structure rests on its foundation. This is exactly why you should take foundation issues seriously. Whenever you suspect that your foundation needs some repairs, you should immediately get in touch with a professional.
But since foundation repair is so important, there are often many myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic. Some of these are misunderstandings and others are just rumours that keep spreading in homeowners’ circles.
In the following paragraphs, we are going to take a close and critical look at some of the most common myths surrounding foundation repair. You’ll learn the crucial details about foundation repair that will allow you to make better choices when your home’s structural issues need a solid fix.
Myth #1: It’s always bad workmanship!
Your foundation issues could be the builder’s fault, but it’s not always the case. For instance, even if the building quality is great, the underlying movements in the soil can still create numerous structural issues.
In order to solve this, you can either prepare the soil or replace some of it with a higher-quality soil during the building phase.
Having extremely dry soil, or soil that’s too wet can create issues around your foundation.
Myth #2: Foundation repair results in exorbitant costs!
The costs of foundation repair really depend on what particular issues you are dealing with. Not all the repairs are going to break the bank. Since there are different techniques in foundation repair, so you can opt for cheaper solutions whenever possible.
The most important thing is to have a reliable partner. You should find a reputable foundation repair professional who knows the ins and outs of this field. Then, you can find the most cost-effective solutions by discussing the options available for you.
Myth #3: You need a completely new foundation!
Many homeowners are afraid that even the slightest structural issues call for the installation of a brand-new foundation. Doing so would definitely be quite expensive. But in reality, not all integrity flaws demand a new foundation.
In many cases, just filling up the cracks and adding support beams is enough. You should see what options you have by discussing things with an experienced structural engineer or foundation repair expert. Getting a new foundation is one of the least likely needs in your home.
Myth #4: You’ll get a better deal in the future!
Do you think that waiting a few years could get you a better deal on your foundation problems? This is more than unlikely. While you may stumble upon a cheaper repair company, postponing the inevitable will just make everything more expensive.
You should take action the moment you start spotting visual damage because it’s likely that the structural issues have been there for quite some time before you see them. Delaying the necessary repairs will just lead to more extensive damage in the future.
For instance, putting off the repairs could result in heavier foundation shifts, bigger cracks, and more water damage. You would have to tackle bigger cosmetic flaws and possibly more serious integrity flaws as well.
Myth #5: Just patch those cracks and it’s done!
Filling foundation cracks is rarely the complete fix to your structural problems. That’s because the cracks are a result of a bigger underlying problem. While patching these cracks is important for aesthetic reasons, you really need to address the underlying issue.
This is where you need to work closely with a foundation expert. It’s important to understand where the cracks are coming from. For instance, these gaps and cracks could be due to settlement on the one end of your home that results in visible damage in another part of your property.
Myth #6: New homes have zero foundation problems!
New homes can look stunning, but that doesn’t imply immunity against foundation issues. Even brand new homes can quickly develop structural problems under some circumstances.
Construction workers dig out a considerable amount of dirt in order to put the home’s foundation in place. The digging affects the soil surrounding the pit that has been compacting for a long time.
The contractors will use all the top methods and techniques to compact the soil surrounding the new home. That said, there is no chance that they will match the natural geological processes that take hundreds of years.
As a result, the soils surrounding your new home are going to be more disposed to water penetration. That loose soil can also create problems with foundation settlement. While the construction crew has likely given their best, none of the efforts will reduce the foundation trouble risk to a zero.
Myth #7: Never buy a house that has foundation problems!
It’s true that most buyers eliminate all the homes with foundation issues from their list of prospects. But there are different kinds of foundation problems and not all of the scenarios result in huge expenses.
In fact, you should always find out what the exact problems are in the first place. If you really love a home that has foundation issues, so long as the repair for it is a reasonable price, you can consider purchasing it.
In a Nutshell: Myths about Home Foundation Repair
Foundation issues are one of the most notorious challenges that affect homeowners across the nation. Since it’s a popular topic to discuss among homeowners, a lot of myths have started to spread around.
These are the top myths about home foundation repair:
- Patching the cracks is enough. Not necessarily.
- Never buy a house with foundation trouble. Learn about the flaws in-depth.
- Foundation repair has exorbitant costs. Depends on the repairs.
- New homes never have foundation issues. The surrounding soil can always cause these problems.
- Wait and see if you get a better deal. Foundation trouble demands immediate repairs.
- It’s always the builder’s fault. Actually, builders can’t do anything about soil quality, for instance.
- You have to get a new foundation. This is not the case for most homeowners.