San Antonio Foundation Repairs
The health of the foundation of a home can be one of the most important elements of maintaining a home’s longevity. Homeowners may dread the idea of foundation repair and fear the incoming costs, but the expense is often much less than people think and in the long run being proactive about it can save trouble down the line. Just like a plumbing system of a roof, San Antonio Foundation Repairs are necessary to keep the value of a home intact.
Of the many potential directions a foundation repair may lead, House Leveling is one potential solution. It is important to know that House Leveling is really not a possible DIY project. This is a serious procedure requiring specialized tools and experience and should always be left to a professional. That being said, it can be valuable to understand some of the basics about the process and how it works.
What Does House Leveling Entail?
Basically, the House Leveling process involves lifting and raising a home foundation back to the even level it was when the new. New home slabs should be very level and discrepancies should not exceed 1.5 inches. Many factors can lead to shifting, sinking, or heaving foundations. Water conditions and flooding can be a major issue and moisture levels in general can play a huge role in shifting soils and erosion. Another big factor is expansion and contraction of soil due to weather conditions and moisture buildup. In some cases the issue may be that foundation was poured improperly or wasn’t allowed to settle properly before building.
Every single pound of the weight of a home is supported by the foundation. This is a serious amount of weight and everything that is built on top is dependent on the stability and support of a slab. The problems may seem small at first but any small issue can lead very quickly to the drastic devaluing of a property.
Are San Antonio Foundation Repairs Needed?
There are many quick signs to look out for that may point to more significant foundation damage and be indicative of more problems to come. Foundation issues can turn ugly if not noticed and addressed in time. The needed action depends on the types and severity of damage signs that might be seen. These can include doors jamming and windows being stuck, cracking and uneven walls and corners, cracks in ceilings, leaking, and sagging or uneven floors. Any of these signs should immediately warrant contacting a San Antonio Foundation Repairs specialist.
Foundation Styles
In San Antonio, two main types of foundation are found. Pier And Beam and Concrete Slab foundations.
Pier And Beam
Typically, a pier and beam system is used in custom homes or builds where custom support is necessary, such as houses built on a floodplain. This method used wooden piers to support the concrete beams that are poured.
A common House Leveling approach for these foundations, is to install steel or concrete pilings under the concrete perimeter beam to lift the foundation where needed. The interior can then be adjusted by using shims on interior columns. Because this system uses wood, this can leave those wood components open to rot, bugs, and other wood problems.
Slab Foundations
A slab foundation is a large concrete slab poured directly onto the ground. The outer area of the slab is poured thicker than the middle, though crossing beams of increased thickness through the middle for greater support. Typically these foundations are reinforced with steel rebar.
For slab foundations, piling may still be used by excavating part of the slab. Other methods that may or may not be considered by a San Antonio Foundation Repairs specialist include older methods such as mudjacking or subjacking, as well as soil injections.
With a keen eye for potential warning signs, foundation repair needs can be diagnosed and executed by a skilled foundation repair contractor.
For more information about San Antonio Foundation Repairs visit, https://arredondogroup.com
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