Hi, I'm Richard Rash, the foundation man. I know about as much about foundations issues as anyone in North Texas. 

Hundreds of people have paid me to come to their home and educate them about foundation issues. To my knowledge none have been disappointed. I am their check and balance, their advocate. When I leave they have their questions answered. They understand how the house is built. They understand how the soils affect the home. They understand how bad drainage causes problems. They understand how drying soils affect the structure. They understand the maintenance required to protect the house. They understand when drains are required, when and how to water the foundation, how and when to check the plumbing for leaks affecting the home. They understand the difference in piers and how they work. They understand what they need in the way of maintenance and repairs and they know how to avoid getting ripped off. They will save a lot of money and get peace of mind.

Since retiring from active contracting I have been consulting on foundation problems. Before retiring I spent 26 years as a foundation repair contractor often as a consultant to other foundation repair contactors. When I started in the business there were a handful of foundation contractors. When a foundation was broken we fixed it, as best we could, with the knowledge we had. Over the years we learned a lot.

As time progressed things begin to change. Foundation Repair became a billion dollar business and the gypsies, tramps and thieves jumped in.

It seems that all it takes is an over the hill athlete, disk jockey or talk show host to endorse a company and the uneducated masses go for it. Well guess what, the masses are getting screwed. They are buying piers that are, to say the least, not ideal for our soil. They are buying piers they do not need and they are paying far too much for the piers they get. And, worst of all, they are not addressing the real problem, the soil.

The truth is, foundations don't fail, soils do. Soil expansion and contraction must be addressed to solve foundation issues. Piers can not solve upheaval and many piers being sold do a very poor job on preventing settlement. You as the homeowner must maintain your soils. Maintain the soils correctly, and new problems do not appear. Maintain the soils correctly and old problems often lessen and sometimes go away.

You must have knowledge to know whether your home has heaved up or settled down.

In our area, at least as many structures are damaged by upheaval, or swelling soils, as by settlement or contracted soils. You do not use piers to address homes that have already been lifted above grade by swelling soils.

Elevations alone can not distinguish between settlement and upheaval. Only experience can.

If upheaval has occurred the high point must come down. The moisture in the soil must come out. You must find the source of the moisture and eliminate it. It's usually much cheaper than piers and much better on the slab.

If settlement has occurred and walls need to be lifted you want the right number and type of piers from a reliable, experienced contractor. Not piers that have a reputation for failure. Not twice the required number of piers and not over priced piers.

If you feel that you may have foundation issues call me. If I can help over the phone it's free.

Richard Rash