Foundation professionals of Utah with FoundationprosofUtah: Searching for a basement waterproofing company in Utah? Spend some time on the company’s website to learn more about the company. Pay attention to what type of products they use. If you are in need of piers, learn as much about their foundation piers as possible. Also, look for testimonials and reviews about the company. Always ask for referrals. Any company who provides reputable work will have no problem giving you some referrals. Call a few of their referrals to get a better understanding of their experience. Ask about the quality of work, professionalism, timeliness and price. Most homeowners are more than happy to help another fellow homeowner.
At first, a minuscule crack in the wall or the slight buckling of the foundation might not seem like an immediate problem for your home. Minor issues are often overlooked and neglected—until the problem becomes much larger and compromises the overall stability of your home. The best defense against escalating expenses is to scan for potential signs of foundation damage and address these issues as soon as they appear. Many of these signs often manifest in other parts of the home, usually several levels above the underlying foundation.
Renovation can turn into a nightmare if your builders or subcontractors fail to do a good job. Always be suspicious of an estimate or quote that is considerably cheaper than all the others, or someone who is available for work immediately. Ask for references, and speak to their previous clients. The golden rule when refurbishing older buildings with solid walls is to use traditional materials that are compatible with the way they were originally built, i.e. lime-based mortars, renders and plasters, rather than anything containing modern cement. Old buildings with shallow foundations are affected by seasonal ground movement and because cement is very brittle it tends to develop small cracks. This allows rain to penetrate, which then can’t escape. Modern paints applied to walls can also cause trouble by blocking natural evaporation.
Chad is a 3rd Generation contractor. He was raised in West Texas with strong family values. Being a third-generation graduate of Texas Tech University, Chad put himself through college just as his mother and grandmother did before him. After graduation Chad became a property adjuster specializing in foundation claims for State Farm because it not only required his new degree but also allowed him to use the contracting experience he gained while running his business during college. Upon the arrival of his third child with his wife Deena, Chad knew his income would have to increase. When Chad left State Farm, he went back into general contracting in Houston Texas. Find more info at Salt Lake City Foundation Repair.
Look to your inside walls for signs of needed repair. Angled cracks in the plaster or at joints above a doorframe can be the first sign of a shifting foundation. If the home is settling in an un-level manner, cracks in walls could be prominent. On the other hand, anyone with a full basement – whether poured concrete, stacked stone, concrete block construction, bricks, or something else – can easily access the inside of the walls of their foundation. Look for cracks of a substantial nature or other signs of damage such as window frames bending or lowered ceiling height.
Look out for water. Most foundation issues are either caused by the result of water or are worsened by its presence. Thus, if you’re able to prevent water from accumulating near the foundation, you can avoid most issues. This is easier said than done, but constantly be on the lookout for the presence of water or moisture.
When it comes to foundation repair methods, trust that Foundation Professionals of Utah is the foundation repair company with every known solution the industry. Some of the tools we have available are foundation piers, helical piers, wall anchors, helical tiebacks, epoxy crack repair, perimeter drainage systems, basement waterproofing in all forms and crawlspace encapsulation. Providing you and your family a healthy, stable and dry home is our goal. Doing it cost-effectively is your goal. We understand the balance between the two.
If you’re building tiered retaining walls, set each tier back far enough to prevent the weight and pressure of the wall above from destroying the one below it. The rule of thumb is to separate wall tiers by a distance that’s no less than twice the height of the wall below. So if the bottom wall is 4 feet tall, the wall above it should be built at least 8 feet behind it. Walls more than 4 feet tall will likely require a building permit and a plan made by a licensed engineer. The engineer will specify the base’s width and depth, how far down the base course should be buried, and whether or not a geogrid (soil reinforcement system) should be used.After your drainpipe is in place, you should backfill the rest of the space behind the blocks with either sand or pea gravel—either will allow water to filter through to the drainpipe at the base of the wall. For the best results, backfill with a few inches of the material after laying each course of blocks, and use a hand tamper to compact the material. By tamping the backfill every six inches or so, you’ll ensure that it is packed tightly, which will provide additional support from the pressure of the soil behind the wall.