The Foundation Man

Upcoming Foundation Damage Alert

2011-09-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

The torrid summer seems to be coming to an end. You may have survived the heat without major foundation problems but don’t become too complacent. Those who have good drainage and managed to keep the soil from pulling away from the foundation should be in good shape.

Those who have allowed the soil to pull away from the foundation may be in for a shock when the rain arrives. Sudden heavy rains may allow large amounts of water to be pulled under your foundation and become trapped under the slab or in crawl space on Pier and Beams.

The water becomes trapped in the soil and the clay soil will expand, likely lifting areas of the slab, causing the very signs that most attribute to settlement. With P and B constructions the soil around the piers becomes moist pushing the piers up and causing unlevel floors.

No matter what your foundation, slab or pier and beam, the signs of distress are the same as with settlement, however the correct treatment is not the same as settlement.

Settlement is the result of support being removed from beneath a portion of either a slab foundation or from the perimeter beam, or a pier, or piers of a pier and beam foundation.

Upheaval is the result of a portion of either a slab foundation or the perimeter beam, or a pier, or piers of a pier and beam foundation being lifted.

When settlement occurs, the low area should be lifted, when upheaval occurs the raised area should be allowed to dry out and return, down, to near as built.

Foundation companies sell piers, which lift structures, and foundation repair companies would like for all foundation movement to be corrected by piers. My observations over the last 30 years have shown me that the majority of foundation movement includes upheaval and does not need piers. Be sure you home has settled before installing piers. Elevations will not tell you whether settlement or upheaval has occurred. Elevations will only tell you that the foundation is not level.

Got questions? Contact me at 817-308-8186 or richardrashinc@tx.rr.com

More information: www.repairfoundations.com

I am an inexpensive alternative to UN-needed foundation expense.

El Nino is comming

2009-10-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

National Weather Service says El Nino will affect us this winter. That means more rain than normal. Drainage will be more of a factor in foundation movement and damage. Be sure to check your gutters and drains to make sure they are working effectively.

With the additional rains, the following will likely happen to many homes across the southwest, that are sitting on expansive soils: Ponding water will be pulled up and under the foundation, lifting portions of the structure which, in turn, will cause cracking, inside and out.

If you have a drainage problem now is the time to consider rerouting rain waters to flow from the structure.
If you would like more information go to http://www.repairfoundations.com/id46.html

More Rain On The Way.

2009-09-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

More rain on the way. Forecast calling for more rain next few days in North Texas. Assess your drainage. To get water from structure use grading, french drains, swales, pumps or a ditch. What ever works for you. More information on my website. Sign up for newsletter below. Next Issue will go into depth about drainage.

Drainage Correction and Foundation problems 9-12-09

2009-09-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, OK. I guess you can put away the soaker hose for a few days. The problem now will be soils swelling and lifting structures in odd ways. If your home or building begins to show movement, cracks or sticking doors, it is likely caused by drainage problems.

Moisture expands clay soils. Bad drainage will cause areas of houses to lift, twisting the structure, and causing signs of foundation distress. Make no mistake about it, these are foundation problems. However these are not foundation problems that should be addressed using piers.

Foundation companies sell piers. Piers are not the answer when a portion of you house or building heaves. If part of the building is temporarily above original grade, it does not make sense to lift the rest of it up to relieve the stress. Why? because the heaved section will come down eventually and the rest of the structure will be suspended on the piers.

Drainage correction is the answer. It is also, in most cases, a lot less expensive than piering.

It is also a bit tricky to get it done correctly. There are a lot of people doing drainage work that do not understand soils and foundation. Don't waste money on drainage that will be ineffective or in many situations more damaging to your foundation. Go to my website for more info on dealing with foundation problems. Lot of good information. You may also call me with questions. You may also scroll down to sign up for my monthly Newsletter. The next issue will deal in depth with drainage issues.

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Richard Rash
Foundation Repair and Drainage Consultant
817-308-8186
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Send questions!

2009-08-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

Anybody looking at my Blog? If you have questions about anything foundation or drainage related, email me at richardrashinc@tx.rr.com. I will attempt to answer them in upcoming blog post.
Also visit my website for lots of good information.

Things you need to know about Foundation Damage

2009-08-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you see soil cracks starting to form in your yard, or, you observe soil pulling away from your foundation, be aware that foundation movement or damage may follow.

Rain gutter downspouts that dump water into flower beds or directly onto the soil next to your foundation can often lead to foundation movement!

Rain water coming off of the house or lot next door, directed toward your foundation, can lead to foundation movement.

Underground French, or surface drains, that are stopped up or do not drain freely are more likely to cause foundation movement than prevent it.

With zero lot line homes; the neighbors’ side of your house is often not maintained properly and becomes a source of foundation movement.

Most of our rains blow in from the west, hit the west wall of a structure and run down into flower beds and other low areas next to the house. This can lead to foundation movement.

Duplex or multifamily structures rarely have damage to one unit without affecting the other units.

Sewer line leaks under a slab or pier and beam structure, sprinkler leaks and pool leaks are often the cause of foundation damage.

At least half of all foundation problems in areas of expansive soils involve upheaval.

The signs of upheaval are very similar to settlement. Piers are usually not a cure for upheaval despite what the foundation companies say.

Gutters and drains need to be cleaned regularly.

Gutters need to direct water away from the building.

Disturbed soil next to, or under a foundation is seldom compacted enough to prevent unwanted water from intruding under the foundation.

Soaker hose and drains are often needed in the same area of a yard to prevent soil movement.

Proper maintenance of the soil, around and under your structure, is the most important thing you can do to prevent foundation movement, foundation damage and the need for expensive repairs.

Why foundations fail in expansive soils.

2009-08-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Most foundations are built not to fail. Built on a rock that doesn't move, your house or other structure will not move by itself. Foundations move because the soil, under and around it, shrinks, swells, compacts or erodes. Usually a combination.

Soils fail to support for a number of reasons. They get dry and shrink, they get wet and swell, fill dirt compacts under weight and soils on slopes are carried away by rain.

In the days to come I will explain how these affect your soils and how the soils affect the foundation of your structure and how they can be prevented, reversed or repaired.

Remember: Foundation Companies Sell Piers...Not Solutions.

If you are concerned about the health of your foundation sign up, comeback often or contact me.

I'll be back.

Richard

2009-08-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

I will be using Twitter to send updates and suggestions on foundation watering. These will be reminders to turn on and turn off your soaker hose. I will also offer pointers on how best to configure and use your soaker for maximum benefit. Please sign up to follow my recommendations at http://twitter.com/foundationblog.

Introduction

2009-07-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

I am Richard Rash, Foundation Repair Consultant. This blog is designed to educate the public on how to maintain foundations, avoid foundation problems, and properly repair foundation damage. While I am based in Texas, the center of foundation damaged structures in North America, I intend to provide information, and links to information, of value world wide. For more information you may go to my Website, subscribe to my Newsletter, you may email me, or phone me at 817-308-8186

Foundation damage is a multi-billion dollar problem that touches owners of single story residences, apartment building, condo’s, schools, government building, highways, bridges, parking garages, warehouses, convenience stores and virtually anything else that sits on soil.

The one thing that most structures have in common is that they are build not to fail. The failure is generally not the fault of the components or quality of the construction. Steel, concrete and other foundation materials do not normally degrade over a normal life span of a structure. The overwhelming majority of foundation damage is the result of the materials below the foundation, the earth, or type of earth the structure is set up on.

Foundations, built on rock, rock that does not move or shift, is likely to last for the life of the materials. Foundations built on non-compacted soil, expansive soil or any unstable soil is subject to problems. In many cases proper maintenance can prevent foundation problems. In many cases proper maintenance can reverse foundation problems.

Repairs of foundation damage are a much discussed problem. For many years foundation repair companies have attempted to find a solution, or repair that would work on all foundation problems. It has not happened. What has happened is a whole slew of “products” or “repair methods” have been tried. Most have worked in some instances, none, to my knowledge has come close to universal perfection. Most have been fads that come and after many failures are discarded my most contractors.

Some early attempts were as simple as digging a hole, putting a large rock in the hole, lifting the structure, placing wood between the rock and foundation and hoping it held.

It usually didn’t. The next step was replaced the rock with poured concrete, or precast concrete blocks, still not good. Then as technology increased they tried drilling down under the foundation, pouring concrete in the hole and lifting and shimming. Next came the pushing of little cylinders of concrete into the ground using the weight of the structure. Then they used steel piers of varying size and shape. That was better but still no huge success. Other methods: pumping concrete under the foundation (mud jacking, a disaster in many cases’), pumping foam under the structure, pumping lime and other chemicals in the soil. A relative new comer, screwing steel piers called helical into the ground, under the foundation, is now in vogue.

Most of the methods have some value but none of them address the specific cause of the foundation movement. What made the soil under the foundation move? If you don’t find and correct the cause, the chance of a lasting repair goes way down.

In upcoming post I will discuss what causes soils to move around under a foundation and how to stop the movement before it causes damage. I will discuss how to reverse damage without piers. I will discuss in detail the pros and cons of the different repair methods.

I will also cover the impacts of shrinking soil, expanding soil, eroding soil, and compacting soil on foundations.

We will explore the effects of drainage, soil hydration, plumbing, pool and sprinkler leaks on foundations.

Other topics to be covered include: buying and selling foundation damaged properties, undisclosed defects, insurance coverage, law suites, and much more.

For more information you may go to my Website, subscribe to my Newsletter, or you may email me, or phone me at 817-308-8186

Please join us for upcoming posts.