Now is the time to deal with foundation movement in your home or building.
The Soil is wet and swollen to maximum swell capacity. That
means that if settlement has occurred during hot dry times, it has reversed itself about as much as
possible. This is the time to make a decision. If you are happy with the position of
the structure now, you should make an educated decision on how to hold the position when it gets hot and dry. This may be
accomplished in one of two ways. The least expensive and best for the structure (but time consuming for
you) is by keeping the soil around the building hydrated to prevent a reoccurrence of the movement. The
second, and most expensive, is the installation of piers, now, while the home is in a near “as build” position.
This is the time to decide. Without action, any previous deflection of the structure will almost
surely reappear, usually exceeding the original movement.
If you plan to keep the hydration you must develop a
plan that will prevent the soil, around and under the foundation, from losing moisture to the extent that the soil shrinks
and reduces the volume of support under the building. This is almost always doable.
If you decide to go with
piers, now is the time, for several reasons: The soil being at maximum swell has the foundation at near “as
built”. The amount of lift should be less, which reduces the stress on the structure. The number of required piers should
be less, reducing the expense. Of most value, the foundation repair contractors are very slow right now and needing business,
prices may be negotiated.
Things to consider before making a decision:
Has the home really settled or has this wet soils caused it to heave, or lift above grade? The wet
soils we are experiencing can, and often do, swell soils to a point that portions of the structure are above grade. It is
very important that this is determined before a plan is implemented.
I can help. My job is to educate you. Help you determine what is going
on. Help you explore the different remedies. Help you get the proper job done in the most cost effective
way.
Remember,
if I can’t answer your questions and provide you with help….don’t pay me.
