Foundation Repair San Antonio Costs Increase With A Sinking Foundation

November 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Foundation Repair San Antonio Costs Increase With A Sinking Foundation

Causes of Foundation Problems

Foundation repair San Antonio issues are usually due to bad drainage, ground movement, subsidence or poor construction, which causes your foundation to shift or settle. Your foundation repair problem will most likely be noticed by doors or windows that will no longer open and close, or drywall cracks. Incomplete or failed waterproofing around and under basement walls and floors is really a significant reason for sinking foundation problems.

So how can you spot a sinking foundation to avoid higher foundation repair San Antonio costs?

If you're noticing your house gradually leaning to one side, you may be aware that you have some foundation problems. These problems can lead to needing underpinning piers. However, usually there are some less obvious causes of foundation issues that will help you identify issues before your home structurally deteriorates.

Keep on the lookout for such things as doors and windows becoming stuck or misaligned. Watch out for cracks in basements, slabs, as well as on sheetrock walls inside the living areas of the house. Water puddles that form around the base of your home may also indicate foundation problems, as can upheaval of floors or floors that gradually become sloped or badly cracked.

Upper level soils, typically 6 to 8 feet below ground level, go through wet and dry cycles due to seasonal moisture and temperature changes. When there are drastic changes like a heavy rain fall immediately after a drought, water moves through the soil at greater rates than normal. This water actively seeks the path of least resistance, if this path is thru or beneath your foundation, settlement and cracks will begin to appear. Soils with heavy concentrations of water can double in weight causing hydrostatic pressure to press against your foundation, or consolidate soils. This consolidation may cause your foundation to sink due to the lack of support.

Steel push piers are designed to give new support to structures which have lost their original supporting soils. Like stilts, these underpinning products won't just stabilize a sinking foundation but they also also can lift and hold the structure at it's originally designed elevation.

Foundation Repair San Antonio Costs Increase with a Sinking FoundationFoundation Repair San Antonio Costs Increase the longer you put it off

If you notice that your foundation is settling get a foundation engineer to analyze your situation and recommend a solution to fix it. Work directly with your engineer to execute the plan they have developed to stop your foundation from sinking.

 

 

 

 

Here's Ernie with some tips:

 

 

 

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


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Sticky Doors & Windows May Be Signs You Need Foundation Repair In San Antonio

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sticky doors & windows may be signs you need foundation repair in San Antonio

Causes

The old fashioned method of pounding on windows or cutting the foot of doors when their stuck does not solve a real foundation problem with your home. Often times the cause of these issues has more to do with expanding & contracting of the surrounding soil more than anything else.  Bad drainage, ground movement, subsidence or poor construction of foundation repair.  The condition will usually be noticed when doors and windows that are used to open and close start sticking, or become difficult to open. If your home has a brick exterior, you may notice "stair step" cracks near corners or doors and windows. As your home settles these cracks will become wider.

Inspect the doors and windows that are sticking. Are there wedge shaped gaps directly below or above them? Is the molding cracking or pulling away? Are there any drywall cracks close to the doors or windows? And more importantly do you have cracks in the foundation near the problem doors or windows? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may need the services of an expert in foundation repair in San Antonio.

foundation repair in San AntonioDon't ignore signs you may need foundation repair in San Antonio

Ignoring your window and door problems will not make them go away, you will only see the problem get worse with time. Differential settlement, poor soils and or water issues may be causing your problems. A foundation engineer or foundation repair expert can tell you if the problem is structural or only a “moisture related problem”.

 

 

 

Watch the following video for a tip from Ernie about your foundation:

 

 

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


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News Station Interviews Experienced San Antonio Foundation Repair Companies

August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

san antonio foundation repair companiesTalk 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.


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Make The Most Of San Antonio House Leveling – Major Benefits For Home Owners

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 San Antonio house leveling is something that you may need to schedule an assessment for and find out if this is something that is needed for the long term stability of your home.  Foundation problems do not have to be a nightmare for a home owner and leveling may be necessary to ensure that you have no problems in the future. 

The first thing you want to do is obtain an estimate for any work that needs to be done on your home.  This can prepare you for the financial obligation that may come with leveling of your foundation.  An estimate will also detail the problems with your foundation and you will have a better understanding of the exact problems that have occurred with your foundation.  The licensed engineers at the Arredondo Group can provide a FREE estimate to home owners.

If you are selling your home, an intense inspection may be required and you may not know where to find this type of inspector.  Contacting a foundation company, like the Arredondo Group, can help you to find an inspector and many foundation companies offer this type of service.  An inspection can show the strength or the weaknesses in the foundation and you can then know if a repair is required to pass the inspection.  This will need to be completed if you are planning to sell your home.

San Antonio house leveling is something that can be done to improve the integrity and the appearance of your home.  Cracks in the foundation can make your home look much older then what it actually is and with leveling, you will have a strong foundation that you can count on and hopefully repairs will not be necessary in the future.   

Don't forget that the longer a home owner waits to deal with a foundation problem, the costs of repair can grow exponentially.  At the Arredondo Group we also provide financing options to help you handle the repair now versus later.

Give us a call if you have any questions regarding your home's foundation at 210.645.6811


Ernie Arredondo, PE


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Frequently Asked Questions Part 3 – San Antonio Foundation Repair Companies

April 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

San Antonio Foundation Repair Makes Sense NowAs 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,

Ernie Arredondo, PE

p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!


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Frequently Asked Questions Part 2 – San Antonio Foundation Repair Cost

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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:

  • Underpinning of a house will run about $3,500 – $5,000 per corner.
  • Moderate foundation damage, partial underpinning $8,000 – $12,000
  • Extensive foundation damage, full underpinning $20,000 – $30,000

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,

Ernie Arredondo, PE

p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!


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Frequently Asked Questions Part 1 – San Antonio Foundation Problems

April 8, 2011 By 2 Comments

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″

  1. How do I know if I have foundation problems? Call us to schedule a free engineer assessment if your home shows signs of possible foundation problems such as misaligned doors/windows that don’t close/open properly, obviously sloping of floors, cracks in the interior walls,gaps between floorboards and wall or ceiling and walls, cracks in motor brick or tile.
  2. Do you do free estimates? Yes.  We will provide a free estimate to homeowners suspicious of foundation problems.  Call us at 210.645.6811 to schedule a free appointment.
  3. How long does the assessment take? This process usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour.  The engineer will need access to the inside of the home/structure to take floor service elevations from inside the house to determine the condition/stability of the foundation.  If the foundation is out of level, the engineer will determine the number and placement of piers needed.
  4. Is there a warranty? Yes, we provide a lifetime transferable warranty for our hydraulically pressed concrete piers and 1 year transferable warranty on poured concrete piers.
  5. Are you licensed and bonded? Yes.  The company is licensed and bonded.  Our engineers are professionally licensed to practice structural, civil and mechanical engineer through the Texas Board Of Professional Engineers.  We helped develop and follow The American Society Of Civil Engineers guidelines for foundation repair

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,

Ernie Arredondo, PE

 

p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter & Facebook!


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Incredible San Antonio Foundation Repair – The Inslee Project

February 14, 2011 By 2 Comments

A solid foundation is something that many people take for granted and many homes are finding foundation problems that can affect the totality of the home.  There are some signs that you will want to look for that can help you determine if a San Antonio foundation repair is something that can help you have a sturdy foundation for your home.

You may have noticed a crack in a wall in your home, and this can lead you to wonder if this is a normal part of a home that is aging.  This is not a normal part of a home and this can be a sign that there is a problem with the foundation and a repair may be necessary.  This can be the first sign that you notice in the home and it may be time for an assessment by a professional to determine if your foundation needs some attention.


Watch Ernie Explain Why Engineering Has Help Save The Value Of This Beautiful Home

Another sign of foundation problems may be with the doors in your home.  You may notice that they do not shut properly, or they swing shut, an assessment will help you determine why this is occurring and this may actually not be a result of the foundation and your doors may not be installed properly which can be a quick fix.

San Antonio foundation repair with the Arredondo Group can help you to get your home in the best shape possible and this can add life & value to your home.  A foundation is one of the most integral parts of your home and if your foundation is compromised, then your entire home is compromised.

Get your FREE Foundation Repair Assessment by calling the Arredondo Group at 210.645.6811

and

In the mean time, get your FREE Consumer’s Report emailed to you by entering your contact information in the form

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Helping you be a more informed consumer,

Ernie Arredondo, PE


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