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Foundation Repair Companies - Understand and know your options
Your home is your castle. But sometimes, your home needs repair to restore it to its original strength and glory.
Foundation problems can sometimes arise out of nowhere and threaten your largest investment. Even more so, when left unattended or poorly repaired, foundation problems can undermine your home’s value, resulting in considerable loss to you and your family. [Read more...]
1Homes in dry climates are prone to foundation shifting. Maintaining even soil moisture around the foundation keeps it securely in place. The best way to maintain the proper moisture level is to water the foundation weekly. Foundation repair companies in San Antonio, like Arredondo Group suggest several tips to maintain a secure foundation.
Some foundation repair companies suggest that homeowners keep a five foot moisture barrier around the home’s entire foundation. This will help keep the soil in place and prevent it from shifting out from under the foundation.
Homeowners should be careful to never let their foundation soil dry out completely. Dry soil is the enemy of a secure foundation, and can lead to serious problems.
On the other hand, watering can be overdone. Homeowners should be careful to avoid over watering. When water begins to pool on the surface of the soil, it is time to turn off the water.
Foundation experts, like the Arredondo Group, recommend the following foundation watering schedule in San Antonio and other dry regions. During the winter, water the foundation three times each week for one hour per watering session. In summer, water the foundation four to six times per week. A rule of thumb for foundation watering is to provide the equivalent of one to one and a half inches of rain each week.
Watering the foundation should include the backyard also, say foundation repair companies, as well as the front and sides. The entire foundation should be watered, according to specialists in San Antonio like Arredondo Group.
Foundation watering can be made easier for the homeowner by using a soaker hose one or two feet from the foundation walls, and by attaching a timer to the sprinkler or soaker hose so no one has to remember to turn the water on or off several times a week.
Watering is critical to maintaining a stable foundation, but two other factors should be considered, as well, according to foundation repair companies. Homeowners should make sure they maintain proper grading, and ensure that the air conditioning drain line is three feet or more from the foundation.
In San Antonio and other arid climates, homeowners need to maintain an ongoing watering program to avoid continued shifting, unless the entire house is underpinned.
Understanding the proper frequency and necessary amount of watering and proper grading helps homeowners maintain the stability of their foundation. In arid regions the possibility of a shifting foundation is a fact of life. Using a timer to water the foundation on a regular schedule reduces that risk and the necessity for expensive repairs.
The foundation is the main structural support for your home. Should it begin to crumble, the integrity of the entire is building is at risk and can cause major issues. Foundation repair companies are an excellent resource that stand at the ready with skilled staff members. Experts will assess the situation and address it accordingly, saving the homeowner major stress and headaches. Although there is expense involved, it is well worth protecting the great investment that lies in your home. While many may consider attacking a foundation problem on their own, if they do not have the know-how and specific tools, they may very well only aggravate the problem. Dealing with the problem on your own will be a waste of time and money when calling foundation repair companies in the first place is the most efficient way to deal with a foundational weaknesses in a home.
When you look around you will find many alternative ideas with regards to house foundation repair methods and house foundation repair products. Buyers beware! You will see television ads with high priced spokesmen suggesting that their approach to foundation repair is the best. You will find articles and websites on the internet telling you why their methods are the best. You may hear radio advertising tell you that XYZ Foundation Repair is the best because they have been around the longest or they are the cheapest. You will be exposed to a lot of advertising, but with some fundamental "inside-information" you can determine if what you are being told is correct.
First, not every house foundation repair companies products are made equally. Not all installers are trained equally. There isn't one single choice of foundation repair products for all situations. Ensure that what is supporting your largest investment is manufactured using a nationally respected manufacturer that stands behind their products. There are plenty of local house foundation repair companies that actually work out of their garages, building inferior products without qc standards. What they build today may not stand the test of time. There's also installers which have virtually no training in the art of foundation repair. When dealing with structural components, especially under your home, not all house foundation repair companies which you may choose needs to have undergone extensive training. This training generally originates from the manufacturer that they represent or even a national association or state agency.
The hiring of a foundation engineer may be the single most important piece of advice. This engineer will evaluate your structure and provide you with a written analysis of the structure. Most foundation engineers can recommend a foundation expert that is trained in in multiple forms of foundation repair products. Elements of your home may require helical piles while other areas may require resistance pierswhile yet other areas may need wall anchors or tie-backs.
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Do
Hire a foundation engineer
Interview foundation repair installers
Ask informed questions
Ask for references
Require a synchronized lift
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Don't
Do it yourself
Make your decision based on advertising
Take a strangers word as the truth
Be swayed by price alone
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Talk about feast or famine. San Antonio foundation repair companies are inundated with extra work because of the drought.
The extreme lack of rainfall means the Texas soil is parched and moving.
"What happens is the ground shrinks like a big sponge," Arredondo explains. "The longer it goes being dry, the more it shrinks."
Ernie Arredondo, engineer and owner of the Arredondo Group, has seen his crews' workload double since last summer.
While large cracks generally signify a foundation issue, not all cracks mean a big repair. That's where an engineer's assessment can pay. The Arredondo Group has plenty of licensed engineers ready to give you an accurate estimate.
With a lack of ground support, walls begin to sag, causing drywall, sheet rock and even exterior brick to crack, Arredondo said.
Homeowners can look for early signs of problems with a foundation.
"You're going to get doors that start sticking," he said. "You're going to get cracks at the windows at 45 degrees."
"There's also cracks just from shrinkage of construction materials," Arredondo said. "When seeing cracks, it's not always attributed to the foundation."
To prevent major foundation issues, the key is moisture.
Arredondo recommends watering the foundation with a garden hose and cover a swath six feet outward from the edge of the slab. Water restrictions can make watering a foundation tricky and it can run up the water bill, but foundation repairs can run several thousand dollars. There are foundation repair financing options if you know where to look.
Advocates recommend homeowners get two to three estimates and do due diligence because foundation repair contractors are not licensed by the state of Texas. However, Arredondo Group staffs multiple licensed engineers by the state of Texas to properly asses your foundation problems accurately. Most San Antonio foundation repair companies do not staff licensed engineers.
They can be reached at 210.645.6811.
In the mean time, grab their free consumer's buyer's guide by entering your contact information in the box on this website. It will be emailed to you instantly.
As we 
endure this eight month dry spell which is the harshest in our state's modern history, there are more things than dead lawns and poor crops to contend with. As the soil around our homes gets drier and drier, it looses it's ability to support our home's foundation as it once had.
If you don't take proper precautions in this extreme drought, your home and wallet could be the next casualty right behind the Texas Farmers.
Foundation repair San Antonio is at an all time high, so we wanted to give you some basic tips to help prevent major foundation repair on your home.
Yes we are a foundation repair company, but we are always in the corner of the home owner and are actually trying to help you NOT have to call us for repairs
Listen to Ernie Arredondo, PE, give you some basic tips on how to lower your chance for foundation repair San Antonio
If you suspect a foundation problem on your home, it is always less costly to get it checked out sooner vs. later. With that being said, we will provide a FREE foundation assessment by one of our licensed engineers at no cost to you, so give us a call at 210.645.6811.
Costly foundation repair San Antonio can be minimized if you know what to do, so stay tuned for more tips from Ernie. In the meantime you can grab a FREE Consumer tips report by entering in your contact information on this website and we will send it to you at no obligation.
Looking out for all home owners,
If you have been in the San Antonio area for a length of time you know about foundation problems that have stricken this area. When it comes to fixing cracked foundations, you have probably heard of the Arredondo Group. This is a husband and wife family owned business that has evolved into a well known, trusted, and established pillar of the community.
This month marks 20 years of helping citizens with their San Antonio foundation repair. Here is a time line summary of the company’s history.
I. The Arredondo Group was started in June of 1991
-In the beginning Ernie and Carie Arredondo would repair homes that were in the process of being bought or sold. Their only clients were real estate agents.
II. From 1991-1993
-Over the first 2 years of business, the projects grew in size and value. By 1993 they had their first big project in Bandera reconstructing the Bandera Dance Hall. They decided to open themselves up to the general public and the smaller real estate repairs had blossomed into custom home construction and renovations.
III. 1994
-Their first custom home was under construction.
IV. 2000
-They were hearing advertisements on the radio by house leveling companies frightening homeowners into spending thousands of dollars unnecessarily to level their homes. Their philosophy became “if it’s not broke-don’t fix it”.
V. 2000-2010
- Over the past decade the philosophy of “if it’s not broke-don’t fix it” has served them and the community well.
VI. Today
-Arredondo Group is licensed to perform repairs in 20 different cities. Their group has gone from a husband and wife team into 11 of the most hard working and dedicated people any company could hope for.
***Ernie Arredondo, PE, was an integral part of creating the guidelines for the American Society of Civil Engineers that is designed to work in the best interest of the client through proper business practices.
Here is a list of Who’s Who at the Arredondo Group:
Ernie G. Arredondo, P.E., Partner
Carie L. Arredondo, Partner
Laura Clements, Office Assistant
Theresa Knox, Project Coordinator
Bo Rodriguez, Project Manager
Your home is one of the biggest investments of your life. Since San Antonio foundation problems are increasing with the ongoing drought, doesn’t it make sense to have it assessed by a licensed engineer with a proven track record in this area?
Give the Arredondo Group a call at 210.645.6811 if you suspect a foundation problem and they will guide in the right direction and save the most money possible.
Thank you,
As we continue our Q & A series, we are getting feedback that foundation repair and the procedures around it are making more sense. We know there are a few San Antonio foundation repair companies in town so we want to help you be a more informed consumer. So by request, we are proud to announce part 3 is now published.
As we continue to bring out the truth, we have heard that some of our readers are getting some peace of mind as they understand how to tackle foundation problems correctly. So here we are with Part 3 of our “Frequently Asked Questions” series! If you missed part 1 click here –>Foundation Problems and if you missed part 2 click here–> Foundation Repair Costs
“Frequently Asked Questions – Part 3″
Why fix my foundation now verses later? It important to remember that foundation problems cause damage to the rest of your home, so the sooner the repairs are made, the better. The cost of the repair increases over time. Delaying a recommended foundation repair 6 months will frequently increase the cost of repair by $5000-$10,000. Long term neglect leads to further foundation deterioration, costly drainage system/plumbing system failure, roof damage,and wall separation.
2. What is the best time of year to do a repair? There is no preferred season for foundation repair. We work year around.
3. How long does it take to do foundation repairs? The average job takes 1-3 days, depending on the scope of work to be completed. Larger commercial jobs may take up to 2 weeks.
4. Can we stay in the house while the work is being done? The repair work can get pretty noisy so we don’t recommend it.
5. Will there be an onsite job supervisor with all foundation repair companies? Yes with ours, but not on all the rest. Onsite crew leaders run the day-to-day operation. Our job foreman monitors the crew progress throughout the day. The job foreman is always available by cell phone and is in constant communication with the office and business owners.
6. Do we have to move our furniture? Rooms may need to be cleared of all furniture, fixtures and appliances for internal pier placement.
We welcome your questions and comments to all of our posted information and do hope this can help you complete your “due diligence” concerning foundation repair companies and foundation repair costs.
Feel free to give our office a call for any reason and one of our experts will assist you 210.645.6811. In the meantime grab our FREE “Buyer’s Guide Report” so you can be a better informed consumer when dealing with your biggest investment, your home. Just enter your information in the form to the right and we will email it to you right now=====>
Look forward to hearing from you & stay tuned for more Q & A,
p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!
Is the thought of actually addressing a real foundation repair on your home got you nervous? I bet the possible hefty foundation repair cost makes you not want to address the issue at all. Maybe you just want to know if you have a REAL foundation problem to begin with?
Let’s dispel the myths and get down to the truth with Part 2 of our “Frequently Asked Questions” series! If you missed part 1 click here –>“Frequently Asked Questions”
“Frequently Asked Questions – Part 2″
How much does it cost to repair my foundation? The foundation repair cost is largely dependent on the type and extent of the damage. Construction methods/materials and soil conditions are different for every building and therefore the repair must be properly engineered/customized to do the job. Generally speaking, the average costs for average size home will run:
2. How many piers will I need? Every house is different. Our engineers determine the number and placement of piers needed based on a structural assessment of your foundation and floor surface elevations. Many things affect the foundation repair design including existing weight bearing soil capacity, drainage, foundation condition/deviation, building structural design and construction.
3. Does homeowner insurance cover the cost of these repairs? If the foundation problem is the result of a plumbing leak, coverage may be available.
4. Can’t I just sell the house as is? Mortgage company’s will not loan on houses/buildings in structural disrepair. Investors used to buy “fixer upper” for pennies on the dollar, but with all the “REPOS” on the market, it is not likely the house would sell without repair.
5. Do you provide financing? We have some financing solutions that will help make your repairs get done on time and allow you to sleep soundly. Most San Antonio foundation repair companies do not offer financing.
We welcome your questions and comments to all of our posted information and do hope this can help you complete your “due diligence” concerning foundation repair.
Feel free to give our office a call for any reason and one of our experts will assist you 210.645.6811. In the meantime grab our FREE “Buyer’s Guide Report” so you can be a better informed consumer when dealing with your biggest investment, your home. Just enter your information in the form to the right and we will email it to you right now=====>
Look forward to hearing from you & stay tuned for more Q & A,
p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!
As you can imagine, we get plenty of questions from our clients and the general public on foundation repair, San Antonio foundation problems, foundation repair cost and foundation repair companies.
To answer these questions for everyone we have hand picked the most frequently asked questions and will now answer them in our newsletter series. Due to the amount of questions we want to answer, this series will include multiple segments.
“Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1″
We invite your questions and comments to all of our posted information and do hope this can help you complete your “due diligence” concerning your home.
Feel free to give our office a call for any reason and one of our experts will assist you 210.645.6811. In the meantime grab our FREE “Buyer’s Guide Report” so you can be the best informed consumer when dealing with your biggest investment, your home. Just enter your information in the form to the right ======>
Look forward to hearing from you,
p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!
