As a foundation contractor the most profound words I've ever heard were from a female
engineer when she said "The foundation is the heart of every home". And when your
home or commercial building show signs of foundation failure it really tugs at your
heart strings and is the beginning of a very expensive and painful experience that
you had never budgeted for nor planned on.
It has been my experience that when someone realizes they have a foundation problem
they start by calling several foundation repair contractors to get an estimate.
Then the nightmare starts to set in. They've got several estimates and several different
opinions as to how to fix the problem. Left some what confused and overwhelmed they
end up procrastinating about fixing their problem.
So what is the straight answer for fixing the problem?. I can only recommend that
you hire a Structural Engineer. It will cost about $500 to have a engineer come
out and do a thorough foundation inspection report.
The report will typically show the follow:
1. An inspection of the inside and outside of the property for foundation and drainage
issues
2. A foundation elevation profile is created showing measurements
3. A foundation plan drawing showing exactly where and how many piers or pilings
are to be installed
4. The report will have his/her signature and a State of Texas Professional Engineers
seal affixed to the report. It?s like seeing a doctor and
the report is your prescription.
The engineer's inspection report makes you a better informed consumer and it?s time
to start calling foundation repair contractors for estimates. Most if not all contractors
will cover the cost of the structural engineer's report, or discount it from their
service price. In reviewing the bids submitted by the various contractors, ask for
the reasons behind any price differences. All foundation repair systems are not
the same. Research the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches, materials,
and technologies offered by each provider. Basically in the end your have two (2)
choices to consider and those will be either concrete push piers or helical steel
pilings. Most engineers today will recommend the installation of helical steel pilings
over concrete push piers.
Ask about warranties, but make sure the company has a solid track record, is sufficiently
insured, and is not prone to going out of business soon, thereby invalidating any
guarantees. Check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that the company is
reputable and is not tarnished by major complaints. Finding the right foundation
repair specialist is of the utmost importance. But the only thing worse than shelling
out funds for unexpected issues, is paying again if it is not done right the first
time.
To find a structural engineer, visit the Structural Engineers Association of Texas
web site at www.SEAoT.org,
which includes a database of licensed engineers in the state. There is also the
Foundation Repair Association and you can visit them at www.foundationrepair.org. You can also go to yellowbook.com or yellowpages.com.
Ron
Baker
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