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817-226-7221  |  [email protected]

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Retrace Logo HDFR 2

817-226-7221  |  [email protected]

Request a free Estimate

What Happens If I Don’t Repair My Foundation?

Homeowners often ask what will happen if they don’t fix their foundation. Making repairs is a necessary expense that homeowners often seek to avoid. Owning a home often feels like picking which projects are the highest priority and make the most financial sense at the time. When offered the choice of going on a trip or making foundation repair, the trip sounds way more exciting, However, have you considered what could be at stake by putting off foundation repair even for just another year?

Things That Can Happen If You Don’t Repair Your Foundation:

Foundation Sinking/Settling

This is one of the first things that can happen. Because foundations can move over time, they can sink into the ground and become uneven. You might notice that your floors aren’t level of that you door frame seek crooked. If you see issues such as this, you need foundation repair.

Insect / Rodent Infestations

If you allow your foundation to fall into disrepair, insects and rodents can squeeze their way into your home. This is particularly true of pier and beam foundations that have crawl spaces. Infestations are major concerns. The most worrisome part of these creatures entering the home is they tend to multiply quickly. This means if you don’t catch onto it right away you could be looking at a large infestation causing further damage to your home. Even with an exterminator the root cause of how the vermin entered the home still remains.

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing in the home becomes increasingly vulnerable with foundation issues. Where pier and beam homes are concerned, plumbing pipes can become intertwined in the foundation of the home and weave through their way into your house. With slab foundations, plumbing issues can occur under the slab and can go unnoticed for years. When a home is suffering from foundation issues, the shifts in the home can cause plumbing pipes to break. When plumbing cracks or bursts,  water damage in the home can be catastrophic.

Mold & Mildew Issues

If you don’t fix your foundation, mold and mildew cause the wooden members under your pier and beam home to deteriorate. Whenever there are cracks or poor sealing around a pier and beam foundation, water can make its way into the crawl space. This water can create a toxic environment that poses a health risk for your family. It is particularly bad for children or older adults with respiratory issues or asthma. Wood rot gets worse over time.

At HD Foundations, we can help. What seems like just another project to eventually check off your home improvement list can cause way bigger issues if ignored and cost you senseless dollars down the line. If you have concerns,  schedule a free foundation repair estimate. Or, just call us a call at 817-226-7221.

Updated 3/15/2022

Top 6 Reasons Not To Put Off Foundation Repairs

There are many excellent reasons not to put off foundation repairs. Weather and soil conditions in Texas, and particularly the DFW metroplex, present many factors that can cause home foundation problems at any point during the year:

  • Properties of clay soils – expansion and contraction (see expansive clay soils for more information)
  • Periods of heavy rainfall
  • Excessive heat

This environment can cause sinking, cracking, or simple settling that can create serious issues for homeowners. When early signs of foundation problems are detected, many residents are slow to address the issues, fearing the cost of repairs or just hoping that it will not get any worse.

Why You Should Not Put Off Foundation Repairs:

One of the top reasons not to delay in repairing your foundation is that it will continue to deteriorate and become more costly to fix later. Foundations are aptly named, as they provide the stability and strength that supports your entire home. Once the foundation’s integrity is compromised, there is likely to be a domino effect that impacts the entire structure.

If you put off repairs, your foundation:

Could Suffer Damage from Seeping or Gushing Water

When foundation cracks appear, it will likely not be long before water finds its way through the cracks, further damaging the foundation and destroying interior furnishings or stored items.

It Could be Affected By Mildew or Mold Growth 

Mold and mildew form in areas that retain moisture or water. These contaminants can trigger health issues like coughing or asthma, as well as other hazardous conditions. At this point, building professionals are often required to do a complete removal to make the home habitable, which can be very costly and inconvenient for the homeowner.

If You Wait To Fix It, You’ll Have Higher Foundation Repair Costs

Foundation issues will never correct themselves – they only get worse. Addressing the problems when they are first detected may prevent spending more money on a much larger problem down the road.  

Structural Damage Will Occur

Floors, walls, and every part of the home rely on a strong foundation for stability. Weaknesses in the foundation can result in sagging floors, cracked walls, doors that don’t fit in frames, and even roof leaks as the home settles or sags. Repairs in such conditions can be extensive and very costly.

Plumbing Problems May Develop

Pipes located under the foundation or that run through slabs are very susceptible to shifting foundations. This may cause leaking or broken pipes that can be challenging and expensive to fix. Solving the foundation problems early may avoid such damage to plumbing.

Property Values Will Decrease

Ignoring a foundation problem by moving is not the answer, either. Inspections required by home sales will certainly uncover foundation issues, resulting in lower prices due to the expense of required repairs.

How Homeowners Can Prevent the Need for Foundation Repairs

Fortunately, there are steps homeowners can take to avoid – or significantly reduce – the need for foundation repairs:

Be proactive: Have an experienced foundation repair company review your structure and make recommendations for avoiding future problems such as changing drainage patterns or installing a French drain. There are also seasonal foundation maintenance tasks you can do to prevent foundation damage. Check out our Spring Home Maintenance Tips post for ideas.

Act promptly: at the first sign of a problem, call experienced foundation repair professionals to perform a complete analysis of the problem and offer solutions. This could provide considerable savings in future repairs, damaged property, and inconvenience.

HD Foundations repairs multiple types of foundations, including slab foundation repair and pier and beam foundation repair. Our services ensure strength and stability; identifying and repairing any structural damage to your foundation and home.

Contact the foundation experts at HD Foundations for solutions to foundation problems in the DFW metroplex and surrounding areas. We’ll make your home “Texas strong”.

Does Insurance Cover Foundation Repair?

Homeowners new to know if insurance covers foundation repair. After all, there seems to be no limit to the costs you can incur. From general maintenance to big-ticket expenses, a surprise expense can come around at any time. If you’re not financially prepared, it can cause a hardship on you and your family.

Get insurance that covers foundation repairIn order to protect ourselves financially, we buy home insurance to cover damages and liability. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand exactly what their home insurance covers and what it does not cover. The only way to know if insurance will cover your foundation is to check with your individual insurance provider. In most cases, insurance does not cover foundation repair claims. While this can be very distressing to homeowners, it is important to have your foundation repaired anyway. If you don’t, the damage will spread and get worse.

When Does Insurance Cover Foundation Repair?

Insurance may cover foundation repair 

  • If a natural disaster damages your foundation
  • If your house has massive plumbing leaks or has flooded
  • If your foundation has been affected by a fire or an explosion

Cracks, leaks, drainage issues, and uneven floors can all be signs of a foundation in need of repair. Once you have a professional come out and give you an estimate you could be looking at some big payments. Fixing a foundation can be costly. The amount the insurance company will pay depends on the extent of the damage. Making minor repairs on a foundation is much more affordable than making extensive foundation repairs. If you think insurance will cover your foundation repairs costs, we urge you to get a free foundation repair estimate to learn exactly how much it will cost to fix your structure.

Finding Our If Your Foundation Is Covered:

Now that you have an estimate on how much your repairs will be, you might want to see if insurance on your home will be able to help offset the cost.  If any of the circumstances below apply to your damage or if you have separate earthquake or flood policies it’s worth giving your insurance company a call.

We know that foundation repair is something you don’t want to spend money on, however ignoring your foundation issues will only increase the damage and eventual cost. It’s important that once you notice an issue you contact a professional to learn your options.  If you’re in the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex, contact HD Foundations.

How to Spot Foundation Problems When Buying a Home

The home buying process can be stressful, to say the least. There is so much to consider when taking the leap into a new home and making sure your money will be well spent. There is nothing worse than spending a good deal of money on a home and then realizing there are big problems that will require costly repairs. One of the more important things to think about before putting in that offer is the state of the foundation of the home.

Here’s how to spot foundation problems when buying a home:

  • Cracks  are tell-tale signs of foundation issues. Look for cracks in the sheetrock, exterior walls, or ceilings. Typically homes with these types of cracks could be experiencing anything from a settling foundation to a sinking foundation. If you spot any cracks during your visit to a prospective home, make a note of them to bring up with the sellers should you choose to move forward with a sale.
  • Uneven floors are another other type of foundation problem you might spot. Many older homes have uneven floors moving from room to room. A great test is to carry a marble with you. If you place the marble on the floor does it roll to a specific point or corner in the room? It may seem silly but this test could save you money in the long run from expensive foundation repair or off the purchase price.
  • Doors out of alignment- If you see that some of the doors in the home you are touring are sticking, or seem crooked, this is a good indication that there may be some underlying foundation issues.
  • Gaps around window frames and doors are something to be on the lookout for when inspecting the home for foundation problems. Many times a house experiencing a poor foundation will shift and with that the windows fall out of place creating gaps that not only can cause poor insulation but also let in bugs etc. Instead of putting in new window frames the foundation should be addressed to determine the cause of the window gaps.
  • Drainage issues are something to be on the lookout for when performing your walk through. If you spot any standing water around the outside of the home, overflowing gutters, or water in the basement/ crawl spaces, the house may need foundation repair. Water damage often leaves homeowners to assume a roof issue however many water problems are caused by cracked foundations.

So how do you protect yourself as a buyer? We suggest asking as many questions as possible about the home’s history, when it was built, issues they may have had, and any history of water damage. Additionally, it is recommended to get an independent inspection. An foundation inspector will take the time to look at all areas of the home and determine issues that need to be addressed. While inspectors are definitely a great step if you suspect specifically issues with the foundation in your prospective dream home a free foundation estimate is worth your time. This will let you know exactly what the issues are if any and you can feel confident in your purchase knowing you have all the information.

For more on buying a home check out our infographic: THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST FOR BUYING A HOUSE

Stuck Doors and Windows: Due to Weather or Your Foundation?

Stuck doors and windows can be due to weather or your foundation. Homeowners in the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex may notice their doors and windows not closing properly or shutting completely. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including the weather. It can also indicate more serious problems that have to do with your home’s foundation. The changing seasons or weather patterns oftentimes brings this issue to light, but it’s important to understand the differences between weather-related (temporary) sticking windows and doors, and more permanent, and possibly costly, issues pertaining to your foundation.

Does Weather Cause Stuck Doors & Windows?

You may notice your doors and windows not closing correctly, or sticking once closed only during certain times of the year. This is particularly true in places like Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie and surrounding cities. Humid weather can cause doors and windows to stick. Moisture can make wooden doors expand, become stuck or impossible to even open. However, other environmental factors may have something to do with these shifts as well, including:

  • Erosion
  • Soil contraction and expansion (see expansive clay soils, very prevalent in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex)
  • Vegetation growth
  • Hydrostatic pressure

The majority of these changes are not permanent and do fluctuate based on outdoor weather patterns. If these issues persist, it may suggest a more permanent issue with your home’s foundation that may need to be evaluated and repaired by an accredited foundation repair company. Be sure to identify what type of soil your house is built on, and prune/plant appropriate landscaping & vegetation outside your home in order to anticipate and avoid these issues. If you do find that your house is built on expansive clay soil, you may need to undertake routine maintenance, such as watering your foundation periodically, to offset potential damage.

How To Determine If You Have Foundation Issues?

In short, it’s not easy for someone who isn’t a foundation repair professional to accurately evaluate whether your foundation is the cause for doors and windows sticking, and can quickly grow into a very costly fix if diagnosed incorrectly. Foundation damage is a serious issue for a household, and you should rely on the most knowledgeable individuals to provide a recommendation.

When dealing with issues pertaining to your home, whether it’s electric, plumbing, or foundation work, it’s always important to have a professional not only conduct the work needed to repair the issue, but also diagnose it as well. Every home is different, with a different construction and history, and it’s crucial to rely on professionals to help diagnose problems that could possibly grow into more costly issues as time goes on. 

For the best foundation repair services in the Dallas metroplex, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Irving and surrounding areas, trust HD Foundations to correctly diagnose and repair your home’s foundation issues. Contact HD Foundations today to schedule an appointment.

Free Evaluation (Main)

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Name*
Julie Woodside
HD Foundations

“Thank heavens we found this company. They installed 14 piers around our slab(...)

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This Month’s Special:

10% OFF FOUNDATION REPAIR*

*Minimum of 10 foundation piers. Must mention this off at time of free estimate. Applies to house foundation repair only.

Free Evaluation (Main)

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Chad Bentsen
HD Foundations

“Thank you for making our foundation even and coming over to check on it. We had(...)

Read More...

This Month’s Special:

10% OFF FOUNDATION REPAIR*

*Minimum of 10 foundation piers. Must mention this off at time of free estimate. Applies to house foundation repair only.