Check foundation before even stepping in the house

Foundation Repairs and Inspection - New homeowners can check on the foundation before even getting in the house.

1 - Before even getting into the house, check for large trees or shrub growing close to the house and ask the homeowner if there are any root barriers installed between the house and the vegetation.

2 - Future homeowners should look at the ground and see if there are large cracks in the dirt or if the slope of the yard would allow for water to puddle around the foundation of the house. Ask if french drains are needed or installed.

3 - While doing the perimeter walk, check the brick walls, particularly around the fireplace and chimney structures. Look for separation and cracks in the bricks.

4 - While walking around, inspectors should look at the condition of the slab and also the driveway and walking paths around the house for signs of buckling and shifting.

5 - Getting in the house the inspection starts at the front door by making sure it opens freely without sticking. Continuing in the house, future homeowners should look around the frame of the doors and windows to look for cracks. Also, inspect any tiled floor since tiles will split and show any foundation shifting.

If you need any help or questions, get in contact with us:

Premier Foundation Repair Inc. Premierfoundationrepair.com

3767 Forest Ln, Dallas, TX 75244

(972) 417-0823 (800) 705-7370 ‎

French Drains and Foundation Repairs

Water standing around your foundation can cause foundation repairs.

Do a quick check around your house after these spring showers we have had in Dallas. If you see water standing around your foundation, you may need to install a French drain. A French drain is a drainage system that allows water to filter down through several inches of gravel, into a pipe and flow away from your property. Building a French drain will make you remember of muscles you forgot you had, but is well worth your pain and suffering.

Step#1 -Find out where your water stands for long periods of time. This is easier to do and much more evident after a long storm has passed. Look for soggy, swampy lawns and decide which way is best to drain the water out of your yard. Aim for the natural low point going out of your yard and mark the path with spray paint.

Step#2 - Before you start digging, always check with your municipality and call 1-800-DIG-TESS to make sure you are safe and not digging into gas lines, power lines and so forth.

Step#3 - Put a stake at the beginning point of your French drain line and another one at the end. Tie a string on both stakes and hang a line level on it (make sure the string is tight) to make sure you are sloping in the right direction.

Step#4 -The slight downward slope should be 1 inch for every 100 feet. Mark your second stake by lowering the string and mark the spot.

Step#5 - Start digging a trench between the two stakes following the path you marked earlier. Reserve the dirt and turf for later use. Dig a trench 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep. As you dig, periodically measure from the string to the bottom of the trench. To ensure a proper slope, there must be a constant 2 feet.

Step#6 - Shovel 2-3 inches of gravel into the bottom of the trench. The drain pipe needs to be laid on top of the gravel. Re-check the slope and make sure you don’t have any high spots in the line that will prevent draining. Cover the pipe with landscaping fabric to prevent the pipe for clogging.

Step 7 - Cover the fabric with more gravel all the way up to two inches from the surface of the yard. Shovel the saved dirt and turf over the gravel to fill up the trench.  Flatten the new dirt over the trench with a hand tamper.

Should You Buy a House with Foundation Repairs?

Should You Buy a House with Foundation Repairs?

Without a doubt!! If you can verify that the repairs were done by a good, professional repair company and if you can rest assured the work is still under warranty, go ahead!

In fact, it maybe to your advantage and may help in the negotiation of the purchase price.

Make sure a reputable, knowledgable inspector checks out the foundations. It is a great idea to get a second or third opinion. Some of the best foundation inspectors are actually working for foundation repair companies. Have one of the inspector come out and give you an assessment of your situation.

Do also an inspection yourself. Here is a checklist for your to follow

Foundation Repairs Secret

Our little secret? Finding a house that has or has had foundation problems maybe a GOOD thing.

If you find a house that has had foundation repairs already done, do not be afraid of considering its purchase solely based on that fact. If the repairs were done correctly, fully disclosed and with proper transferable warranty, this could actually be an asset. Since the entire DFW metroplex is built on very expansive soil, remember the old saying - “There are two type of homes in Dallas, those with foundation repairs already done and those that still need to have it done”.

Conversely, if the house you ‘must have’ is just beginning to shows signs of foundation troubles make sure your inspector is experienced in assessing distressed properties. If the inspector finds a need to perform foundation repairs, don’t turn your back to the property. Instead, discuss possible solutions, adjust the price you are willing to pay based on the extend of the repairs. Discuss with your real estate agent how to implement the repairs and make sure the following is described in writing:

1. What are the repairs that need to be completed
2. Who is doing the repair. This should be a contractor of YOUR choice.
3. Time of completion for the job.
4. Who does the final inspection and how is it determined that job is completed.
5. Who’s paying for it.
6. How is it going to be handled if the job is NOT completed satisfactorily.

With spring fever here, this is the time when the residential market is the most active. If you are in the process of looking for a new house, do your homework and inspections, paying particular attention to the home's foundations.

Keep an open mind and use the house foundation conditions to your advantage.

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PremierFoundationRepair.com

More Foundation Repairs News :) Our super nice customer's reviews

This is the excerpt from the latest one, again from Angie's list. Thank you!

...I has several estimates from foundation companies before deciding on Premier.  I even checked the BBB and Angie's List.  I went with them for 2 reasons: 1.)  They were much less expensive than some of the other companies.  Some estimates I recveived were over $5,000 for pretty much the same work.  2.) I preferred their poured concrete pier method over the pushed pier methods of most of the other companies. Do your research!...

Before you buy a house, check the foundations.

When a new home is put on the market, if the house had prior foundation problems and repairs, it should be disclosed. However, that does not happen all the time. To avoid ugly surprises later, make sure you do an inspection of your future home's foundation. Most foundation repair companies can visit the residence and relate to you their findings, including any possible corrections you can make to the yard, drainage, gutters, landscape to reduce the risk of you every needing foundation repairs. Premier Foundation Repair website at www.premierfoundationrepair.com has tips on what to look for to make the right decision.