Protecting A Home Through Foundation Repair

The foundation is the bottom-most layer which provides support for any structure. Symptoms of a foundation that's in need of repair include cracked walls, bricks, sticky doorjambs and sloping floors. When such problems begin to appear, it's important to remedy them as soon as possible.

Further Complications

Repairing a foundation early may prevent further issues in the long term and save money on complicated repairs. If left unaddressed, the problems could lead to damaged plumbing, buckling walls and wall-mounted fixtures coming apart. When the plumbing gets damaged, leaks may result, leading to further problems in the form of health risks posed by mold.

Can Foundation Repair be a DIY Job?

In the current age of do-it-yourself and easily available instructional material, one could be tempted to undertake foundation repairs by themselves. This is however not recommended; the job would best be left to a professional who understands the structural soundness of a house. They also have the knowledge, tools and foundation repair equipment needed for the job.

The project is also complicated. Repairing the foundation doesn't just involve mending cracked walls or remedying sloping floors. It entails getting underneath the house, using heavy equipment and installing proper replacements for the faulty components.

In addition to lasting repair work, the foundation also needs to remain safe. Poorly mended structures would not only result in further issues, but also compromise the home's safety. It's also unlikely that the house will pass an inspection when it becomes necessary.


Still, there are some easy preventative and maintenance tasks that the average homeowner could handle on their own. Such include watering the foundation during the summer and ensuring proper drainage when it's wet. Other practices including keeping the west and south sides of the homes shaded and removing any shrubs close to the house to keep the roots from damaging the structure.
In our age of Do It Yourself (DIY) and easy to follow instructional videos, it can be tempting to attempt foundation repairs on your own. This however, is not often a recommended course of action. There are easy preventative and maintenance steps that can be taken such as watering your foundation during dry seasons, ensuring proper drainage during wet seasons. Other best practices include keeping the south and west sides of the home shaded, but also ensuring trees and shrubs are far enough from the house to prevent roots from growing into the foundation. Check this link for more info.

Contractors and Cost

One needs to contact a structural repair expert who specializes in providing lasting solutions. They would provide an assessment of the issue by first gauging the extent of the damage. After this, a customized solution for the issue can then be arrived at.

Some of the factors that could influence the cost of foundation repair include size, structural complexities and range of services needed. The amount of time needed to complete the project also needs considering. If the contractor uses more manpower, then one should expect to pay more. This especially applies if the repairs require clearing out the basement.