Foundation issues may seem overwhelming. There’s no doubt that it’s a big job – it’s not something a single handyman can take care of. But there is no reason to stress too much. There are ways to fix even the worst foundation issues, and many companies are open to financing or payment plans. Hopefully, your next step after finding that your Houston home has foundation issues was to do some self-educating. You may want to search and read about others’ experiences or ask friends and family if they have gone through the same thing and how they handled the process.
Once you have a direction to move in, then you can find the best professional for the job. Now that you have reached this point, the actual work on your home can begin. The foundation expert will examine your home and determine the extent of damage and the type of repair that needs to be done.
It is perfectly normal to be anxious about the process. How much will the repair cost? How long will the repairs take? Will there be a demo? Take a breath. We’ll dive into what you can expect:
For slab-on-grade foundations:
A slab-on-grade foundation is one of the more difficult repairs to make. The home is sitting directly on top of the foundation and for this reason, there is no room to maneuver under the house. Slabjacking is the less invasive choice for various soil types. In this operation, grout is pumped beneath a slab or beam to produce a lifting force under your home.
This will restore your home to its original elevation. The second option is called piering. Concrete piers are driven through the unstable soil and hydraulic jacks are used to raise and stabilize the concrete foundation. This method of repair will depend on the extent of the damage being treated.
For pier and beam foundations:
The repair to a foundation that has a crawlspace underneath will be much easier to work with. That’s because there is easier accessibility to do the repairs. One repair method is to use adjustable piers to fix sagging, and bouncy floors above a crawl space. Although helical piers can also be installed like giant screws to repair settled foundations, driven concrete piers are usually installed beneath sunken foundations to stop the settling process. In addition, this will restore the proper leveling of your home. The other option is to use power brace systems. These systems utilize I-beams to strengthen and stabilize bowing or tilting foundation walls. These repairs are all done under the home where the crawl space is located. These are the repair methods that are used with average-sized homes. There are more extensive repairs that are considered for larger buildings.
The most nerve-wracking question: what is the cost?
Now, what can you expect as far as the cost to repair your foundation? Unfortunately, there is a wide range of possible costs associated with foundation repair.
The cost is determined by the amount of damage to the foundation. There may be additional costs to your home that result from the foundation issue. You can expect to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000, on average. This is not to say that you won’t spend twice or three times this amount if the foundation repair becomes extensive. This is why we encourage you to educate yourself – so you are not taken advantage of.
When you hire a reputable foundation repair contractor, you need to know that the job will be done right, and you will not be charged more than the job is worth. The time that a repair takes can vary. Most repairs can be done in1 day. However, that is not always the case. The expert you hire will be able to give you an estimate on cost and time after the initial assessment. Remember, however, this is only an estimate. A good company will also keep you informed and comfortable through the process.
Another important aspect you should be aware of is that the time and money it takes to repair your foundation can change once the work has started. Even the professionals do not always know everything about the repair until they get started. Be leery if the cost goes up drastically. You may want a second opinion if this happens. Foundation repairs can be time-consuming and costly. Preparing yourself for a project of this size is the best way to curb anxiety.
