Richard
Rash
Foundation Repair and Drainage consultant
You are
here because you have foundation and/or drainage questions or concerns.
The foundation
repair companies have done a tremendous job of convincing most people that all homes experiencing foundation movement need
piers. That is just not true. Most foundations, in the early stages of movement, do not need piers and piers will often cause
additional problems. When cracks, whether in ceilings, walls or flooring appear in the home and have not yet appeared
as major outside cracks, the chances of not needing piers are great. The key is proper maintenance. At this point it is usually
not too late to stop and often reverse foundation problems. In the majority of cases, at this point, the installation of piers
is not a solution and at best a temporary “fix”. I strongly recommend each and every one of you to find someone you can trust,
who knows the ins and outs of foundation issues, someone not trying to sell you piers, someone who can explain how to
maintain your most valuable asset. That person could be me. Call me at 817-308-8186 or read on.
Don’t let the foundation repair/pier companies get their hooks
in you. Don’t let the foundation companies sell you piers you do not need. At this point most of the
damage is cosmetic and piers are not the answer. Proper maintenance is the answer. It is not in foundation repair companies’ interest to help you with
controlling the movement before it gets worse. That’s my job! My job is to help you prevent your home from getting to
the point where major repairs are required. If piering is required my job is to make sure you are not over piered or over
charged. For $295.00 I will explain what is going on now and be available in the future to answer your questions. It means
having a foundation and drainage expert on your side and on call. I am your check and balance. When I inspect your home
I will provide you with the knowledge you need to handle any current foundation issues, and by referring to my notes be able
to provide ongoing support by phone at no additional charge. Please read on, or contact me by phone. Richard 817-308-8186 or email to get the help you need. If I don’t help, you don’t pay.
Whether you are
keeping your home, selling your home or buying a home, if something does not seem or feel right about the foundation, there
is likely something going on that needs to be addressed. At this point you have some choices.
You can either
ignore it.
You can call some foundation companies who will send out commissioned sales people who get paid
by the number of piers they sell.
You can call me to find out what is really going on. The foundation companies usually give free estimates. I charge a fee. The more piers they sell the
more money they make. That is incentive. My fee is set, I have no incentive to suggest expensive repairs you don't need.
I often get to tell people that they do
not need piers. I always tell people how to maintain their homes to prevent, stop and often
reverse their foundation problems. Sometimes you must do more than simple maintenance. When that happens, I help you determine
what you need, let you know what you should pay for it and I assist you, in getting it done correctly. I encourage you to contact me and ask any questions
you may have or explore my site for a better description of who I am, what I do, how much I charge, what my customers say and for lots of good free foundation repair related information. Thanks. You may contact me at 817-308-8186 or richardrashinc@tx.rr.com Richard
If you
have Foundation questions, problems or issues you have come to the right place. I have spent a total of 31 years in the foundation
repair business. Hundreds of people have paid me to come to their home and educate them about their 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. Please contact me at 817-308-8186 or richardrashinc@tx.rr.com See my fee schedule. These are all complicated questions that need
to be answered by someone on your side.
Not a commission salesman. When dealing with foundation problems there
are many areas where questions arise. There are the obvious questions: How can I prevent foundation damage? How can I
stop my foundation damage? Can I reverse foundation damage? Why is my house moving? Do I need foundation repair? What kind
of repair is best for me? How much should I pay? Who is a good contractor that will stand behind their work? What does “lifetime”
warrant mean? There are also less oblivious questions that most people do not know
to explore. Is the problem settlement (needs
to be lifted)? Or upheaval (needs
drainage correction)? Or both? Or
neither? Can repair contractors take elevations
of the structure to determine that settlement exists? Or use elevations to distinguish between settlement and upheaval to
determine if piering is needed? This I will answer now: They
cannot! (Call me and I will tell you why these elevations are a fraud
used to sell piers). Other questions and issues where you could need help: Possible sewer leaks and how to handle them. This
is an area where the foundation companies often leave the home owner swinging in the wind and repairs of both plumbing and
foundation can be mishandled by contractors and insurance companies leading to additional expensive repairs. Drainage issues (you would be surprised how many contractors do not know that water does not run uphill). Soaker hose/foundation watering (done right it can save you lots of money, done wrong it can add greatly to your
foundation problems. Swimming pool and irrigation
leaks (yours and the neighbors) and city water or sewer leaks
can all be problems where expert advice can save you much stress and many dollars. Staging a home to sell
that has experienced foundation repair. You must disclose problems but proper staging and a third party for them to talk to
can often set the buyers at ease and save the sale.
Buying a previously owned home can be stressful. Having
a third party on your side inspecting the home, with
you, can answer questions and relieve that stress on the spot. Preparing to build a new home starts with the
lot and the lot preparation. The shifting of soil, the adding of additional soil, the compaction, or lack of proper
compaction, of the added soil, the vegetation that is removed or left and most of all the original drainage. These
points can mean the difference between a well built lasting base for your home or chronic foundation problems. After
the home is built the landscaping
is the next great hurdle. Were these issues done correctly, at least 60% of severe foundation problems would be avoided. Other issues of concern: Home
owner insurance responsibility. Home Owner Warranty purchased through the builder, and the foundation repair company
“lifetime warranties” and working with builders when foundations issues arise! These are but a few of the problems with which I can help. Helping home
owners’ deal with these questions is what I do, and I do it well. Contact me at
817-308-8186 or richardrashinc@tx.rr.com See fee schedule.
Customer Letters
Check out foundation problems
How might I help you: Most
people that seek my advice are smart enough to know that foundation repair is a very slippery slope. It is not an exact science
and the industry is populated with some less than savory characters. My customers do not mind spending a few dollars to have
an experienced foundation professional on their team. They usually wind up spending less oveall money and receiving
greater piece of mind.
People are confused by Foundation damage. The very thought of foundation problems scare some people to death.
Truthfully there are not a lot of people in North Texas that know a lot about the cause of foundation
damage and less, that know, the proper way to deal with it. Most foundation company websites show you signs of foundation distress and talk about
their approach to repairs. Almost ever company has a preferred type of pier. They may say they have them all but they have
a “chosen one”. The chosen one is usually chosen because it is cheapest for them to install. Another reason for
a “chosen “one is inventory control. It is a lot easier and more cost effective to have a single product you use
all the time. The number one reason for a “chosen” pier or approach is to have a COOKIE CUTTER operation. Treat
them all the same and anybody can do any job. You don’t need an all around experienced crew if all the repairs are basically
the same. My value
comes because I know how homes are constructed. I know how soils affect the homes. I know what causes foundation damage. I
know how to correct the damage. I know who can do it correctly and inexpensively. I know what it takes to get a house ready
to sell. I know what to look for when buying. I can tell when to check for slab leaks. I know how and when to deal with Home
owners insurance. I know how and when to deal with New home warrantees. I know how to deal with settlement. I know how to
deal with upheaval. I know how to tell the difference. I know when you need drilled piers, concrete pushed
piers, steel pushed piers, cable locked piers, helical piers, spread footing piers, chemical injections, root barriers, expanding
foam, mud-jacking or, as in most cases, no piers. I know when, and it is often, that drainage correction
and or proper use of soaker hose or other watering can stop and often reverse foundation problems. I can
supply the help you need. Call 817-308-8186 or email me. If I can answer your question over the phone I will do so at no charge. If I need to visit your home to find answers there
is a charge. For that charge I will provide you with whatever assistance you may need in dealing with foundation or drainage issues.
Get it right and don’t get robbed. Call me or read on to find out why my customers are happy to pay me.
If you need
help, Iwill be your advocate, your check and balance
I will save you time, money and stress! I will show you how to maintain your home.
Call
me! I can answer many of your questions over the phone.
Improper maintenance is the
number one cause of foundation problems in the Dallas Fort Worth and other areas of expansive soils. Determining
the cause of the problem, and eliminating that cause, should always be done before repairs (piers) are considered. I can show
you how and why.
Bids vary greatly from contractor
to contractor. From hundreds to thousands. Which one will fix it correctly ?
Foundation companies sell piers,
not solutions! You need solutions. I can provide you with the solution you need.
Customers
Costs
Contact me with questions or to
schedule an appointment.
Richard Rash, 817-308-8186.
Email
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 cannot 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.
Contact information:Richard Rash, 817.308.8186 or Email at: richardrashinc@tx.rr.com
Millions of dollars are spent each year on un-needed foundation repairs. Don't
over spend on excessive piers. Do not pay more per pier than necessary. Protecting yourself is all about checks and balances.
Using proper due diligence.
Hundreds
of people have paid me to come to their home and educate them about their 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 different type of piers and how they differ. 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. And I will have my notes and be available by phone 817-308-8186 and email to answer questions or review bids later on.
If you are unsure about something, you bring in an expert.
If you are unsure about something, you bring in an expert. That is a good business practice at any level. You
use due diligence. You need checks and balances. Foundation damage is not the end of the world. Treated properly it can be
a minor irritation. Treated incorrectly it can be a nightmare. Don't experience a nightmare! The reason for this website
is to let you know that I am available to help you understand the reason foundations fail, to help you maintain your
foundation and to help you find proper repair when required. Remember: With over 150 foundation contractors in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area alone, getting three bids give you a one in fifty chance of getting the right job at a fair price. I can help you
beat those odds. People pay me to help them successfully deal with foundation issues. If I save you from buying one un-needed
pier you have made money. It's a smart move and cheap insurance. I will be your advocate, your check and balance
What I do for my money:
What
I do for my money: I inspect your home for foundation damage, inside and out. I explain how
your home is built. I explain how the soils and weather affect your foundation. I show how to maintain the soils, which
will, in turn, maintain your foundation. I explain what is happening to your home and why. I explain drainage and watering
of the foundation. If drainage correction is needed I will show where and how. If watering is needed I will explain how and
when. If piers are needed I will explain how many, where and what kind are best for your application. If you already have
bids I will explain them. If you are selling, I will show how to get the home ready. If you are buying I will
show you what to look for. When I leave you will understand the process. I will answer any foundation or drainage
related questions you may have. I will be your advocate. I will help you keep from making a mistake. In most every
instance I will save you time, money and worry.
Special Report: Spring 2010
Know it or not, most of you are now experiencing some movement in your foundation. The recent
rains have expanded the soil all over North Texas, as well as many other areas. The results of extreme rains are normally
a change in elevations of homes on expansive soils. Unfortunately, the change is often damaging.
The two things of most
importance to home owners are:
1.) The soil expands in areas of bad drainage, lifting sections
of the home off of original grade and transferring weight of the structure which produces cracks, door frames out of square
and uneven floors. This becomes, obviously, a problem. The answer is almost always drainage correction to prevent additional
upheaval. Drainage correction, done correctly, should also enable the swollen soil to slowly contract and allow the structure
to gradually settle back to near "as built". The installation of piers to lift the rest of the house is almost
always a mistake in these situations. Talk to an expert who is not involved in piering to access you situation.
2.)
Often where settlement has appeared over a period of time, extended rain will cause soils to swell, lifting areas of the house,
closing cracks and straightening doors. It would seem that the house has healed itself. Don't be fooled, the problem
reversal is temporary at best. The eventual drying of the soil will allow the soil to settle back often in worse condition
that before. It is often advantageous to consider the need for piering while the soil is swollen. Done correctly
the repair is completed with less piers, less stress on the structure and at less expense. Again, consult an independent
expert. If you are unsure about something, you bring in an expert. That is a good business practice at any level.
It is extremely difficult to get creditable information about foundation problems and foundation repair on the internet
or in person. The sheer number of foundation repair companies in North Texas is staggering. The majority of these companies
abilities are at best marginal, using products that are not ideal for this soil. Many are operated on a shoe string with a
very heavy turnover in personal, and for that matter company names. Several companies own multiply entities. This means
you have the distinct possibility of obtaining multiple bids from the same company who use different names. The different
phone numbers going into the same office.
Be safe; understand the nature of your specific problem.
Understand the soils and how they react. Understand how your structure has reacted to the soils. Foundation piers are designed
for, and guaranteed against vertically settlement only. They are not designed for, or guaranteed against, upheaval. When soils
are wet they expand, when they expand they lift what is sitting in and on them. That is upheaval. If upheaval is affecting
your home, understand the problem. Talk to an unbiased professional.
Remember foundation repair companies
sell piers...not solutions. I provide information and solutions! Call or email me!
817-308-8186
Who I am.
I am Richard Rash. I have spent
the last twenty-eight years working with Foundation damaged structures in North Texas. I have been involved with foundation
repair of all size and price homes, apartments, hospitals, nursing homes, warehouses and small commercial buildings. I have
worked as foundation inspector, contractor, consultant and expert witness. I know foundations and I know the soils. I know
what causes foundation failures and what prevents foundation failure. I know the products used to repair foundations and I
know the contractors reputations. I know what works where, and how much it should cost. I am now devoting my time helping
the owners of houses, apartments, and small commercial building avoid foundation problems, when possible, and getting them
fixed right when repairs are necessary.
Quick Note
Misleading
elevations can cost you a lot of un-necessary money, additional foundation issues, and plumbing problems.
Foundation and Drainage Evaluation: includes foundation and drainage inspection, instructions on foundation maintenance, drainage
correction and foundation watering. If you require repairs, I will explain the types of repairs available. I will review any
bids and recommend the type of repairs best suited for your problem. I will help you receive the best repairs available
at the best possible price. I will assist
you in any area of foundation or drainage problems you may have. I will assist you in any area of foundation or drainage problems you may
have. This service can save you thousands of dollars.
Richard: 817-308-8186 Email: richardrashinc@tx.rr.com
Click here customer letters!
My
job: save you money and time, and help assure that you know what you are getting. If you are concerned
about foundation repair or drainage issues please read this page from top to bottom. It may be the most helpful
and informative foundation repair information on the world wide web. Facts to Ponder Proper
drainage and proper watering can prevent the vast majority of foundation damage. Most homes do not
need piers. When caught early, foundation movement can almost always be stopped and often reversed with
proper maintenance. After piers are installed proper maintenance is still required. I can show you how. Bad drainage cause every
bit as much foundation damage as hot weather. Buildings settle and heave. Often in the same time frame. The signs are similar, the repairs
are not. Elevations cannot distinguish between settlement and heave without a bench mark, tied
to sea level, and the original construction elevations. Don’t rely on contractor elevations as an indication
of pier requirements.
With foundation problems, big money is at stake, not only in the price of repairs, but in the
resale value of your home.
If you think you have foundation problems.....
If you want to know that
you are approaching the problem correctly.....
If you want to understand the problems and the solutions.....
If you do not have foundation problems and want to avoid them later on.....
If you have bids that don't
make sense.....
If you confused by the type or cost of repairs quoted.....
Call me, I can help. I won't let
you get cheated. If you are unsure about something, you bring in an expert. That is a good
business practice at any level. If you don't contact me now, bookmark the site. You may not be able to find it
again.
A lot of people have been visiting this site and not calling me. The potential for damage is increasing every
day. If you think you need help, call now (817-308-8186)! It may be the most important call you make this year.
Over
20,000 people have visited my website for information in the last four years and hundreds of people have paid me to
come to their home and educate them about foundation issues. None, to my knowledge, have been disappointed. If you have foundation issues;
this site can save you money and help solve your problem.
Some people believe
I do foundation consulting as Dallas foundation repair, foundation repair Dallas tx or foundation repair Plano. The truth
is I do not do foundation repair anymore, I am now a foundation repair consultant and am available to consult in all of Texas
and surrounding states . . .
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Be
sure before you pier!
Now,
call me at 817.308.8186, email me in form below or continue exploring my site.
Thanks,
Richard Rash
You can't throw a dart at the phone book and expect to get a good job at a fair price. I'll help you find the right people
for your situation.
Please forward my web page to your friends, relatives or neighbors who may now, or at a later date, experience foundation
issues!
Read on, then call me: Richard Rash, 817-308-8186 together we can get it right.
Please explore my site to find out what I do, and to learn about foundations and drainage. You never know when problems
might arise!
Contact information
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