1. How much experience do you have?
Foundation Experts employs an educated and licensed staff that are extensively experienced in construction. Our Senior Contractor is a
licensed Class A Contractor in Virginia, is licensed by the Maryland Home
Improvement Commission, and has been certified/trained in foundation
repair and evaluation. He also has taken Soil Science courses, has
had 35 years experience in the construction field, and 30 years experience in the steel industry. For over 13 years he has
specialized in the installation of piers.
2. If I have a settling problem will it get worse or better, will it eventually stop settling?
This
depends on a few things. What type of soil was the structure built on?
If it's expansive soil it will keep going up and down. If it was fill
dirt it will keep compressing. Drastic changes in weather and drainage
also are huge contributing factors. It's hard to say if it will stop,
it could stop for a while, then suddenly get worse. There isn't a
guarantee if you wait to see what happens, the more damage sustained,
the more it will cost to fix it. But if you have the problem fixed
there is a guarantee that it will no longer settle. So, it's a gamble
if you allow the settling to continue, and you are risking the
stability and safety of the structure. It will only get better if you
have it repaired.
3. After the foundation is repaired, how soon should we wait to do cosmetic repairs on the inside, to fix the cracks?
You should wait four to six months to repair it, the structure needs time to adjust or equalize to it's new position.
4. Can I buy your Piers, and install them myself?
No, Pier installation is a specialty field, a lot like being a Heart or
Brain Surgeon. Only those that are certified and extensively trained,
in all six aspects of foundation stabilization (site inspection, the
pier selection process, loads, soil science, pier placement and
inspection, and lifting procedures.), can install them. Plus, it takes
special equipment to install them, and to use the equipment you also
have to be trained.
5. Do we need a Building Permit?
In most cases a Building Permit and an Engineer Report is required by the city or county where the project is located.
6. Do you offer temporary fixes?
No.
Although, temporary fixes may be initially cheaper, in the long term
they cost more money, because they don't actually work. The problem is
still there, and you will have to keep repairing it, keep spending more
money. We strive not only to be cost effective, but to solve problems
the right way by offering permanent solutions.
7. Is it more cost effective to repair the damaged foundation or demolish it and built a new one?
It
depends on the amount of the damage, after evaluating the property, we
can help you explore all the options. In most cases it is more cost
effective to repair the damage, if the foundation is replaced it will
still need to be stabilized. Whether repairing or replacing, the
underlying cause still has to be addressed or the problem will
continue. During and after our Certified Evaluation process, you will
be able to discuss with one of our Foundation Specialists the most
beneficial way to proceed.
