House Leveling Considerations in San Antonio

May 18, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

H ouse Leveling Considerations in San Antonio

Foundation problems can plague homes anywhere in the country, especially in San Antonio, Texas. The historic statewide drought of 2011 caused many homes to develop foundation problems as the ground under the home contracted from a lack of moisture. The end of the drought did not fix the damaged foundation, though some of the symptoms may have eased. Extremes in rainfall is just one cause of foundation problems. A professional house leveling service in San Antonio, like The Arredondo Group, can repair the foundation no matter the cause.

Signs that House Leveling may be needed

Foundations support the home, but if the ground the house is built upon is unstable, the foundation may settle. This is evidenced by cracks in the foundation, but there are also other indications that the foundation is not completely level. Windows or doors that stick or do not close due to a loss of alignment may indicate a problem. So can floors that slope in a single direction. Some homeowners may note a home is not level when installing flooring and using a level on the floor. The level in a home with a foundation problem will show an uneven floor. Any of these signs should prompt a call to The Arredondo Group for an evaluation to see if the home needs house leveling.

Foundation cracks are more than cosmetic problems, they attest to the lack of proper support the foundation is giving to the home. Left unchecked, foundation problems may lead to plumbing issues from pipes underground being moved, roof problems as one part of the house settles lower than another, a reduction in home value, and safety issues with the home. The cost of foundation repair is little compared to the damage done to a home with an uneven foundation.

Crack and leak repairs in the outer walls of a home do not address foundation problems. These solutions only mask the more pressing issue of a foundation that needs to be fixed. Rather than choosing the cheaper option of having cracks filled in, homeowners should invest in house leveling by a professional, local San Antonio company like The Arredondo Group. They have a team of experts in the field of foundation repairs to level the home and guarantee that the foundation remains relatively level. The same cannot be said of temporary measures like filling in cracks or leaks.

Homeowners with foundation problems should know the company in San Antonio to trust their home with: The Arredondo Group.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your House Leveling, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair so call us at 210-645-6811

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Foundation Repair in San Antonio

May 17, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair in San Antonio

Foundation Repair Repairing a foundation in San Antonio can be time consuming, costly and shocking to the homeowner. That this most basic element of the house is found to need extensive repairs often means that it wasn’t built properly, or the ground beneath it wasn’t checked to make sure it didn’t cover a sink hole, or that the soil was so full of organic material or so full of clay that it couldn’t support a foundation in the first place.

The Arredondo Group, who are experts in foundation repair in San Antonio, understand the homeowner’s distress and will remedy their problem with the utmost professionalism and courtesy, as well as unparalleled workmanship. They can tackle any foundation repair job, no matter how small or how big.

The Importance of Using a good Foundation Repair Company

The homeowner should know that these San Antonio foundation repair specialists are fully licensed and insured and have all the necessary permits to work on their home. Their parts and labor are guaranteed and any contract they develop with the homeowner will be in writing. It will be meticulous in detailing the work and providing the Arredondo Group’s contact numbers and address. The contract will also have the warranty, an arbitration clause and a clause that absolves the homeowner of mechanical liens. Provisions will also be made for the inevitable unforeseen situations, including cost overruns.

The Arredondo Group will also advise their customer on every phase of the repair work and will be able to let the customer know, in plain words, what’s being repaired, how it’s being repaired and when the contractor believes the problem will be remedied. The customer should be able to reach the contractor any time of day or night in case of emergencies.

After the initial shock of learning that their foundation needed to be repaired and the disruption of the time it took to repair it, the homeowner will finally have the peace of mind of knowing that their foundation can now support their home for generations to come.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your foundation repair, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair, so call us at 210-645-6811

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Finding Good Foundation Repair Companies

May 16, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair Companies

A proper construction project involves creating a base that holds up the entire structure of a building. The construction must be solid and unmoving or it will disintegrate and create trouble for other parts of the building. Ideally, a foundation should be prepared well from the start so that it lasts forever and the building never falters. However, support problems will always occur in the field of construction.

It is simple to see the consequences of a weak, faltering base. When a construction is first put up, builders must take a number of steps so that they deter the occurrence of more problems. Preparing the construction site is crucial from the beginning. Even with proper care, these steps may not be completed properly. The environment varies over time, which has direct and indirect effects on the building materials.

Finding Good Foundation Repair Companies

An important step here is to approach a problem at an early stage. As soon as cracking is noticed or leakage forms, it is important to start comparing San Antonio foundation repair companies. Professionals should review the framework and determine the ways that it can become more solid and dependable. Additional repairs should also be completed so that the other structural parts work according to code. The code is determined by the regulations laid out where the building is located. Inspection is a way to ensure that the work is completed accurately and bypasses have not been made.

Even if a San Antonio foundation company has well-prepared service providers, it could still be difficult to understand the procedures and costs if the workers do not communicate effectively. In addition to being skilled in the techniques, they should explain why they have selected the specific repair process and list the advantages and disadvantages. Customer service and communication are common characteristics that come with quality service, and remain good indicators that a business knows what the workers are doing.

Looking through well-known and reputed foundation repair companies is a major task, so reading through customer reviews and client referrals is recommended. Workers should also make sure that they obtain a minimum of three bids that describe costs and procedures from start to end. San Antonio foundation repair companies that are older and more experienced usually have workers who are relatives, use word-of-mouth advertising and generally complete a better job because they are more committed to quality. Overall, clients must know that the foundation will remain strong for years to come.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on good San Antonio Foundation Repair Companies, so call us at 210-645-6811

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Foundation Repair – The Significance of Using the Best Foundation Repair Company

May 3, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair – The Significance of Using the Best Foundation Repair Company

After a service provider has completed a costly or high-energy repair on a foundation, the client may wonder whether or not the effort was worth it. This is hard to determine because the problem may take time to heal. Property owners should just strive to employ the most useful foundation repair professional in San Antonio they can, then review the repair later to see if the problem is coming back.

Clients should look at the repair and decide if the company completed all the right tasks. They should search for any task that may have been missed in the completion process. Sometimes not all cracks are filled properly and not all spaces are sealed in well.

Then property owners should determine if the problem could become recurring and return a few weeks or months later. For foundations that have received leak repairs, it is necessary to check if water creeps in after a heavy rainstorm. Cracks that are fixed should be checked in case they are returning or getting larger.

Clients should search for new problems. If another crack shows up apart from the original or new leaks form, there could be more serious foundation problems that must be handled. Considering additional repairs is important and people may want to fix the foundations themselves since that is a more affordable method. For people who feel overwhelmed or see that the problem is getting worse, they can contact a professional and obtain an evaluation.

If a crack problem starts to return, there could be a sign that a second repair is needed. For cracks that grow wider than an inch, there could be a large issue with the structural stability of the home. Trying to mend a leak is not reasonable for people who do not have the resources and dedication because leakage requires extensive repair work.

There are many steps they should and should not take when carrying out repairs. A reputable foundation repair professional in San Antonio can solve a wide range of problems that include settling and cracking that is caused by faulty placement over unsteady ground. Settlement happens when part of the home falls below the original level. Common causes of this issue include extreme weather, inferior drainage, and depreciated soil-bearing ability.

The Significance of Using a Foundation Repair Company

A professional foundation repair expert in San Antonio must deal with severe repair needs properly, or the situation could turn into a catastrophe for the property and owners. At the very least a professional should come and look at the foundation before attempting to make repairs on your own. The professional should determine the kind of work that is required like if only surface repair is needed or something more extensive.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair, so call us at 210-645-6811

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Slab Repair In San Antonio

May 3, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

Expert Slab Repair in San Antonio

Concrete slabs that break or crack may seem beyond repair, but there are techniques that can restore them safely and completely. Residents of San Antonio who have observed defects in the slab foundation of a house have access to professional engineers at the Arredondo Group. The underlying causes of a break in a concrete slab are variable, depending on the type of soil that supports it and many other geologic factors. Slab repair by experts is entirely possible, but it is not a job for amateurs.

The soils that underlie the San Antonio area tend to have a sandy composition that requires a specific type of shoring to provide the solid foundation for slab. The frequency of heavy thunderstorms here tends to make foundation repair more complex than in areas that do not have the same combination of sand and rain.

Concrete is unforgiving in its flexibility, and it can crack or break when it is not fully supported in a reliable and scientific manner. Any shift in the underground soils can result in a crack on the surface or the interior of the slab. Homeowners need to secure the services of engineers who can formulate a solution that solves the problem without making it worse.

The importance of using an Expert Slab Repair company

Slab repair by the Arredondo Group is made possible by a thorough understanding of the native geography and geologic conditions. An onsite inspection of the site provides essential information for the engineers to gain an understanding of the events that resulted in a damaged or cracked concrete slab. Using the latest technology to assess the damage and the underlying conditions, engineers can gather data that provides the basis for designing a suitable repair.

Some types of slab repair in the San Antonio area do not require an extensive amount of time when they are performed by engineers who thoroughly understand the task at hand. The rigorous testing procedures that are used to verify any proposed support system makes reliance on knowledgeable professionals essential. Each home site has a unique set of circumstances beneath the slab, and the accurate evaluation of all conditions leads to the successful design and installation of the required slab repair procedure.

Homeowners need not despair at the first sign of a crack in the foundation of a home. It is disconcerting, for sure, but it is repairable. By choosing the Arredondo Group as the most reliable team available anywhere, a homeowner can have every confidence that the slab can return to a fully functional condition.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house slab repair, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair so call us at 210-645-6811

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House Leveling In San Antonio

May 3, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

House Leveling in San Antonio

The soil in San Antonio, Tx, can damage a house’s foundation. Expansion and contraction with the seasons, droughts and floods can shift the soil. This can cause a foundation to heave or sink. Indications that house leveling services are needed include:

• Objects rolling across the floor after being set down in place.
• Doors opening or closing with difficulty
• Windows not closing or opening properly
• Gaps between windows and the sills after being closed
• Cracks in the ceiling or walls
• A level set on the floor shows an uneven surface
• Water does not pool; it flows to one side of the house
• Cracks in the outside walls

The Arredondo Group has expert engineers and construction crews that can correctly assess and repair your home’s foundation.

Many online and newspaper ads offer house leveling in San Antonio, Tx. Not all of the companies listed in the ads act in the homeowner’s best interest. Some may try to sell you something that may or may not fix the house’s foundation.

House Leveling Methods

The house leveling method chosen depends on different factors. These include:

• The type of foundation
• The type of soil
• The amount of damage to the house and foundation
• Whether the foundation has cracked or heaved

Arredondo’s construction experts and engineers have the skill, training, license and equipment to assess the specific needs of your home. No house is too small or large to be leveled. They also level detached garages.

Jacks, posts and footings or other methods may be used. The repair is not temporary; the foundation will remain leveled for decades to come. Arredondo guarantees and warranties their work.

The engineers will sit down with you and explain the specific problem or problems with your house’s foundation. They will also explain the best method to repair it. If there are options, they will be explained in detail so you can make the best decision for you and your home.

Is house leveling covered by your insurance policy?

Your homeowner’s insurance may cover the cost of house leveling in San Antonio, Tx. It is important to read and understand your policy. The insurance company may decide to send their own engineer to assess your foundation. Arredondo’s engineers and construction experts will work with your insurance company to provide you and your home with the best solution.

The Arredondo Group’s staff is happy to help you by answering any questions you may have. No matter how old or new your house is, our staff can schedule an assessment visit for your foundation. It is a good idea to have an older house’s foundation assessed before purchase.

Hiring a company from out of town or out of state makes no sense. They are not familiar with the different soils or weather in San Antonio, Tx. When it comes to your home’s foundation, hire a company familiar with the types of houses, foundations and more.

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We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your House Leveling, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair so call us at 210-645-6811

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San Antonio Foundation Repair ~ Foundation Evaluation Can Be Tricky

April 9, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

San Antonio Foundation Repair ~ Foundation Evaluation Can Be Tricky

San Antonio Foundation Repair

The job of fixing a foundation is a difficult one. In particular, San Antonio foundation repair is especially tricky. The expansive soils, heavy thunderstorms, and topography in the city create issues in south central Texas that are not experienced in other locales. A good foundation repair company will use an engineering approach to every foundation it attempts to repair.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has established a methodology that should be followed by anyone attempting to repair a foundation for a structure. The guidelines include:

1. Observance of the existing structure and surrounding area – Repairing foundations is far from a 'cookbook' type of task. Each foundation, the site it is located on, and the circumstances in which it was built are unique to every structure. It is important for a repair company to understand all of these characteristics before attempting a repair.

2. Evaluate the situation – Once the site has been observed and data collected, the engineer should review what was found on site. The exact cause of the failure can be determined through analysis of the data collected, and only then should the repair be planned. If the structure failed due to expansive clays, the repair should focus on the soils. If the failure was due to an insufficient beam or pier, the repair should address the structural features of the building.

3. Develop a Plan – A good San Antonio foundation repair company will have an engineer on staff that is experienced with all of the issues affecting structures in that area. They can then use that experience and the data gathered about the specific location to develop a plan of action that will provide the home owner or building owner with a long lasting solution to their problem.

4. Test the Plan – All structural design can be tested through either computer simulation or hand calculations. Every structural repair should be put through extreme tests of what may be experienced in the field before it is installed at the site.

5. Prepare construction plans – If the solution holds up to the tests in step 4, construction plans and specifications for the installation can be completed and prepared for the contractor. If the solution does not pass the test, a new solution should be developed and retested.

All of these steps are necessary for every structural failure in San Antonio. Home owners and business owners that are in need of a San Antonio foundation repair should carefully select the company to perform work on their foundation. It is critical that a carefully formulated approach is used in order to repair the foundation correctly.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair so call us at 210-645-6811

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San Antonio Foundation Repair As Viewed By The ASCE

March 29, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

San Antonio Foundation Repair

Anyone in the market for San Antonio foundation repair for their home or office should consider using the Arredondo Group for the work. The Arredondo Group is a business that hires professional engineers to perform the calculations and prepare the plans for foundation repairs around the city.

Engineers are required to operate at a high level of ethical integrity and qualifications whenever they perform work within the state of Texas. Engineers are charged with protecting the health and welfare of the public with all of their projects. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has established professional guidelines and ethics for all civil engineers performing work in Texas.

These guidelines include requirements that require all evaluation and repair of structures within the state to be performed by a professional engineer that is licensed in Texas. The individual that is responsible for structural work is required to apply scientific and engineering education, training, knowledge, skill, and experience to all of their projects to ensure they protect their client and the public at large. Any engineer that is not competent in the area in which they are performing work must retain help from another engineer that meets the qualifications listed above.

Additionally, ASCE requires a high level of ethical behavior from all engineers that are performing work within Texas. Engineers must remain impartial and avoid conflicts of interest in order to maintain credibility of the evaluation and design of the structures they are working on. The Texas Engineering Practice Act has a sub chapter that covers the ethics of all engineers working in the state. The engineers must comply with these standards or face fines or suspension of their license.

San Antonio Foundation Repair must be done by professionals

Performing San Antonio foundation repair work can be very tricky due to the type of soils in the area and should be left to professional engineers to ensure it is done correctly. Many companies around the city have been performing poor work because they do not understand the correct way in which to repair the foundation. The Arredondo Group hires professional engineers for this reason. They have been trained and educated for the exact repairs that are needed by most houses in the area. Engineers have the resources and experience to call on others when a situation occurs that they are not familiar with rather than just performing the same type of repair and hoping it works. Anyone that wants a professional San Antonio foundation repair, should contact the Arredondo Group for that peace of mind.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on San Antonio Foundation Repair so call us at 210-645-6811

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House Leveling Assessments In San Antonio Performed by Engineers

March 29, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

House Leveling Assessments In San Antonio Performed by Engineers

House foundations sometime crack or settle unevenly resulting in movements of particular sections. If this occurs one would need house leveling services in San Antonio to sort out significant structural problems. The house could have settled unevenly as a result of soil conditions, and if damage or cracks are present, repairs may need to be carried out.

Assessments of the structure for house leveling should be done by professionals so as to determine the cause of unevenness. This is due to the complexity of the process which requires handling by a person with a great deal of technical know- how and experience. It would be advisable to consult someone with specific training. General contractors are knowledgeable about a wide range of construction issues, but, certain extreme situations require more in-depth understanding and experience in Civil engineering duties.

House Leveling Advice In San Antonio by Qualified Engineers

Qualified engineers in San Antonio offer advice on the proper investigation level to allow evaluation objectives to be fulfilled. Initially the Engineer meets the client to discuss the property background and performance. The Engineer will review past, related documents for the structure including Geo technical reports, construction drawings; and previous repair, testing and inspection reports. He/she will be able to carry out physical observations of the foundation to establish the factors behind the present situation. At this stage, the client could request the Engineer to provide a report on the scope of services, vital observations and the foundation discussions.

If the surrounding soil on the base has sunk or shifted, the foundation will no longer have adequate support and will crack or relocate. The assessment by an engineer is crucial as it establishes exactly where the problem is, and he/she could proceed to offer recommendations for further investigation and preventative or remedial measures.

In the next level, the engineer will submit a report on the clients previous requested details. At this level, the professional establishes relative foundation heights and takes floor finishes into consideration in adequate detail to represent floor or foundation shapes sufficiently. A technical drawing demonstrating the relative elevations will also be produced at this stage. Once the problem has been properly assessed and corrective measures established, the foundation can be supported with new underpinning to the original elevations.

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We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on house leveling, so call us at 210-645-6811

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Foundation Repair Companies Offer Watering Tips for Homeowners

March 5, 2012 By Ernie Arredondo Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair Companies Offer Watering Tips for Homeowners

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.

Foundation repair companies suggest:

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.

We will be happy to provide you with an inspection and estimate for your house foundation repair, and all the information you need on foundation repair companies, so call us at 210-645-6811

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