Your home’s foundation is the most important part of your house, supporting the weight of the entire structure. Any damage to the foundation can result in serious structural problems that can be very costly to repair. At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we believe that prevention is the best approach to foundation damage. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common causes of foundation damage and how to prevent them.

Tree Roots

Tree roots can grow deep and wide, extending far beyond the tree’s canopy. When the roots of large trees grow near the foundation of your home, they can absorb moisture from the soil, leading to shrinkage and soil instability. As the soil shrinks, your foundation can settle and shift, causing structural damage to your home. Tree roots can also grow through foundation cracks and cause further damage. If you have trees near your home, it’s important to keep an eye on them and to have them trimmed or removed if necessary.

Soil Composition

The type of soil your home is built on can play a big role in foundation damage. Expansive soils, such as clay, can cause significant foundation problems. When the soil absorbs moisture, it swells, causing your foundation to lift and shift. When the soil dries out, it shrinks, leaving your foundation unsupported. Over time, this can lead to cracks and structural damage. Poor soil compaction during construction can also lead to foundation problems.

Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common causes of foundation damage. Heavy rains and flooding can cause the soil around your foundation to become oversaturated, leading to soil instability and foundation settling. Leaking pipes and poor drainage can also cause water damage. It’s important to ensure that your gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems are functioning properly to prevent water from accumulating around your foundation.

Poor Construction

Poor construction practices can also contribute to foundation damage. Improperly compacted soil, insufficient reinforcement, and substandard building materials can all cause foundation problems. It’s important to hire a reputable contractor who uses high-quality materials and follows proper construction practices to prevent foundation damage.

Preventing Foundation Damage

Preventing foundation damage starts with identifying potential problems before they become major issues. At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we offer a free foundation evaluation to help identify potential problems and recommend appropriate solutions. We also offer a variety of services to prevent and repair foundation damage, including foundation repair, foundation leveling, and drainage solutions.

Proper drainage is a key component of preventing foundation damage. A French drain system can redirect excess water away from your foundation, preventing water from accumulating and causing foundation damage. Surface drainage solutions such as catch basins, grates, and swales can also divert water away from your foundation.

Understanding the causes of foundation damage is the first step in preventing costly repairs. By identifying potential problems and taking steps to prevent damage, you can protect your home and your investment. At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we are committed to helping our customers prevent and repair foundation damage. Contact us today to schedule a free foundation evaluation and learn how we can help protect your home.

When it comes to maintaining the structural integrity of your home or commercial building, the foundation is one of the most important components to keep in good condition. In the Dallas area, where soil conditions can be challenging, it’s particularly important to address foundation issues as soon as they arise. That’s why at Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we’re dedicated to providing timely and effective foundation repair services to our customers.

Why Timely Foundation Repair is Important

A damaged foundation can lead to a host of problems, including:

• Cracks in walls and floors
• Uneven or sloping floors
• Sticking doors and windows
• Bowing or leaning walls

If left unrepaired, these issues can lead to further damage and potentially even cause the building to become unsafe. Additionally, a damaged foundation can negatively impact the value of the property. By addressing foundation issues as soon as they are identified, you can prevent these problems from becoming worse and save yourself a significant amount of money in the long run.

What Causes Foundation Damage?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to foundation damage, including:

• Soil expansion and contraction: The soil in the Dallas area can expand and contract due to changes in moisture levels, which can put stress on the foundation and cause it to shift.
• Poor drainage: Water that is not properly drained away from the foundation can lead to erosion, settling, and other issues.
• Tree roots: Trees and other vegetation can also cause problems for foundations by absorbing moisture, causing settling, and even growing into the foundation itself.
• Plumbing leaks: Leaks in the plumbing can lead to water damage and weakening of the foundation.

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we have the experience and expertise to identify the cause of your foundation issues and implement the appropriate repairs.

Our Services

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we offer a wide range of foundation repair services, including:

• Foundation leveling
• Foundation wall repairs
• Concrete slab repairs
• Crawl space repairs
• Drainage solutions
• And more

We use only the highest quality materials and the latest techniques to ensure that your foundation is repaired to the highest standards. Additionally, we offer a lifetime transferable warranty on all of our work, giving you peace of mind that your foundation will be protected for years to come.

If you suspect that your home or commercial building in Dallas may have foundation issues, don’t hesitate to contact us at Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation assessment of your foundation and help you take the necessary steps to keep your property safe and sound.

The weather in Dallas can have a significant impact on the condition of a home’s foundation. Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair is a company that specializes in providing foundation repair services to homeowners in the Dallas area. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which Dallas weather can impact foundation damage and repair, and how Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair can help.

Can Weather Effect Your Home’s Foundation?

The Effects of Dallas Heat

The intense heat of Dallas summers can cause the soil around a foundation to expand and exert pressure on the foundation walls. This can lead to cracks, settling, and other types of damage. In addition, hot and dry conditions can cause the soil to become dry and hard, making it more difficult for water to drain away from the foundation.

The Effects of Dallas Rain and Flooding

While the heat of Dallas summers can cause damage to foundations, heavy rainfall and flooding can also have a negative impact. Excessive rain and flooding can cause soil to become saturated, leading to settling and shifting of the foundation. In addition, heavy rainfall can cause water to accumulate around the foundation, leading to water damage and the growth of mold.

The Effects of Dallas Storms

Dallas is also subject to severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes, which can cause damage to a foundation in the form of cracking or shifting. High winds can also cause debris to damage the exterior of a foundation or clog up gutters and downspouts, which can lead to water damage.

Expertise and Experience

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we have the expertise and experience to address foundation damage caused by Dallas weather. Our team of experienced foundation repair specialists can assess the condition of your foundation and develop a customized repair plan to address any damage. We use top-of-the-line equipment and techniques to ensure that your foundation is properly repaired and protected from further damage.

Contact Us

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we understand the impact of Dallas weather on foundation damage and repair. We are dedicated to providing top-quality foundation repair services to Dallas homeowners. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and learn more about our services.

Foundation repair is an important aspect of homeownership that is often overlooked or ignored until it becomes a major problem. When the foundation is not properly maintained or repaired, it can lead to serious problems such as cracks in walls, uneven floors, and even structural collapse. Here are six importance tips of proper foundation repair and how it can save you money in the long run:

Prevents Further Damage

A small crack in your foundation might not seem like a big deal, but if left unchecked, it can quickly turn into a major problem. Over time, the crack can grow larger and deeper, leading to further damage to the foundation and the structure. By repairing the foundation as soon as possible, you can prevent further damage and save yourself money on costly repairs down the line.

Increases the Value of Your Property

A stable, well-maintained foundation is a major selling point for any property. If you’re planning on selling your home or commercial property, having a strong foundation can increase its value significantly. On the other hand, if the foundation is damaged or unstable, it can greatly decrease the value of the property and make it difficult to sell.

Protects Against Natural Disasters

A strong foundation can also protect your property against natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms. If the foundation is weakened or damaged, it can be more susceptible to damage from these events, leading to costly repairs. By ensuring your foundation is in good condition, you can give your property the best chance of surviving a natural disaster.

Prevents Costly Repairs

Proper foundation repair can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs to other parts of the structure. If the foundation is unstable, it can cause damage to walls, floors, and other parts of the building. By fixing the foundation, you can prevent these additional repairs and save yourself money in the long term.

Increases Energy Efficiency

A properly repaired foundation can also help increase the energy efficiency of your home or commercial property. If the foundation is damaged, it can cause drafts and other issues that can lead to increased energy costs. By fixing the foundation, you can seal any drafts and improve the energy efficiency of your property.

Enhances the Overall Safety of the Structure

A strong foundation is essential for the overall safety of any structure. If the foundation is damaged or unstable, it can pose a serious risk to those inside the building. By repairing the foundation, you can ensure the safety of your family or employees and avoid any potential accidents or injuries.

Consult Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we are a family owned and operated business that provides professional foundation repair services to residential homeowners and commercial properties in the Dallas metroplex. Don’t let foundation problems ruin your property. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get the repair you need.

Foundation problems can be difficult to pin down because they can occur slowly over many years. However, there are certain things you can do to prevent foundation problems and potentially save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs. This guide takes you through five easy steps to help prevent foundation problems before they occur.

1. Maintain Your Gutters

Gutters are important for keeping rainwater out of your home. When gutters are clogged or damaged, water can pool on the roof and cause leaks into the attic and walls of your house. The easiest way to prevent this type of damage is by maintaining your gutters regularly by cleaning off leaves and debris before they can block the downspouts.

If you have leaf guards in place, they should be inspected once a year for damage or rusting that could cause them to break or collapse. You should also make sure that hangers aren’t sagging or broken so the gutters stay secure on the roofline.

2. Make Sure the Grading Around Your Home is Correct

If you have a sloping yard around your home, it’s important that the grade is correct. This will help prevent water from pooling up against the foundation of your house.

A good rule of thumb is that if you’re going to build a patio or deck on one side of your home, it should be at least 5-6 inches higher than the other side of your yard.

3. Divert Water Away From Your Foundation

Water is one of the biggest causes of foundation problems, so you need to make sure your foundation has proper drainage so water can run away from it instead of pooling up and causing damage.

If water pools around your foundation, dig out a trench around the perimeter and pour concrete into it. This will divert any water that comes into contact with your foundation away from it.

4. Seal Leaks in your Crawl Space

If there is any moisture coming into your crawl space, this will cause problems for your foundation. Water can cause mold and mildew growth that can weaken the structure of your home.

To prevent this from happening, look for any cracks or holes in your walls and seal them up with caulking or putty. You should also make sure that there aren’t any leaks from plumbing pipes or electrical lines around windows or doors leading into these areas.

5. Call an Expert to Inspect Your Foundation

The best way to keep your home’s foundation in great condition is to have it inspected by a professional inspector once every few years. A qualified inspector will be able to tell if there is any damage due to water infiltration, soil movement, or other factors that could lead to cracks or other structural issues.

At Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair, we provide fast and affordable foundation inspection services for all types of houses in the Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Garland, Wylie, and surrounding areas. If you’re experiencing foundation issues or are looking for a thorough review of your home’s structure, don’t hesitate to contact us to Inspect Your home’s foundation!

Foundation repair issues are common in older homes in Texas today. According to research, Texas Cities are ranked as the top zones regularly affected by home foundation issues. Problems found in older houses are identical and unique and can classify your property as belonging to buildings erected many years ago.

Nevertheless, consistent foundation repair issues found in homes are most likely to cause significant issues for the rest of your home. Here are the top common foundation problems with older houses in Texas.

OLDER HOUSES HAVE ISSUES WITH PLUMBING FIXTURES

Plumbing issues in older homes are common because of the kind of metal used and the pipes. The plumbing system can corrode over time, resulting in the shifting of your foundation. It is vital to take quick action on the leak to prevent further shifting of your Texas home foundation. Plumbing pipes used in older houses are made with diverse compositions that need exceptional care.

You should understand and know the age of the pipes in your property. Some pipes are built from a plastic composition which might have a lifespan of forty to fifty years. Knowing the age of the piping of your house will help you recognize possible problems that require repair to solve the plumbing issue.

It’s essential to seek a professional’s opinion on any plumbing situation in your home. An expert will offer solutions that will determine whether you’ll replace the pipe or correct them.

UNSTABLE FOUNDATION

Age is one of the significant factors that determine the lifespan of a home. Your foundation ages with time and can become unstable. Texas is famous for inconsistent seasons, and the soil might fall victim to the changes, resulting in unstable bedrock.

It would be best if you had your bedrock inspected by an expert to get an opinion on the best solution. The professional can recommend the best repair option to keep your property standing.

DRAINAGE ISSUES WITH OLDER HOMES

Texas houses are known to have slab foundations that have water pipes fixed in the concrete. The lines can freeze and expand, causing a crack in your home’s bedrock. Poor drainage can cause your home’s slab base to be affected by moisture.

The solution to drainage issues in your Texas home is to engage a drainage correction company to fix the problem. Drainage correction will prevent water buildup that may affect beams and other factors supporting your property’s structure.

CONTACT US

Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair will help repair the foundation of your Texas home. We offer expert foundation repair services to commercial and residential properties in the Dallas metroplex. Contact us now for an estimate.

Watering the soil around your home during winter has numerous benefits. It will help you avoid foundational issues, resulting in cracked walls, sticking doors, unlevelled floors, and structural risks. The soil around your home may dry or contract in the winter, causing your foundation to tip and resulting in expensive damages to your Texas home.

This article discusses why it is crucial to regularly keep the soil moist by watering and scheduling regular inspections.

How Can You Keep Your Foundation Protected this Winter? 

It is vital to water your Texas home foundation regularly to help prevent shifting and settling of the soil. The following are steps to help keep your Texas home soil moist in the winter:

1. Use an in-ground sprinkler system and position it roughly 45 cm from your home’s foundation.
2. Reduce the amount of water than you would during summer.

How Should You Water the Soil around Your Texas Home?  

The following tips will help you know how to water the soil around your home’s foundation:

• Avoid using excessive water: this can make the ground extra soft.
• Avoid placing the sprinkler in direct contact with the foundation: it can cause pooling and reduce the soil’s capacity to hold up your home’s foundation.
• Connect only one sprinkler to avoid uneven watering.

How Frequently Should You Water Your Foundation?

How frequently you should water your soil depends on its dryness in winter. If it fails to rain adequately in January or February, it would be ideal to water your foundation’s soil thrice throughout the month. The watering duration should be roughly 20 minutes at a time. Ensure you don’t overdo it because it may weaken your home’s foundation.

Contact Us

If you want to repair your Texas home’s foundation, look no further than Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair. We provide professional foundation repair services to residential homeowners and commercial properties in the entire Dallas metroplex. The best part is that we are a family-owned and operated company, meaning we care about your needs. Contact us today to get an estimate.

The integrity of any building depends upon its foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to equally spread the building’s weight across the ground. If your house’s foundation is compromised, it can lead to issues such as cracks (hairline and fissures), water intrusion, and moisture damage. Therefore, any foundation issue calls for it’s immediate attention. Here are five reasons why.

Homes Shift Seasonally

During the hot, drier summer months, they move downward, and during the cool, wetter months, they move upward. Plumbing pipes eventually break because of this continuous upward and downward motion. Repairs to plumbing systems can cost thousands of dollars. Broken pipes beneath your foundation commonly result in a foundation repair plan that is both significantly more expensive and considerably more difficult to complete. If it is winter, make any necessary repairs to keep your house raised and prevent additional sinking in summer. It’s crucial to raise the house as quickly as possible in the summer to relieve pressure on the plumbing and, of course, to stop any further descent.

Affordability

They say prevention is better than cure. When it comes to foundation repairs, scheduling your repairs immediately will be cheaper than shelving it for the future. The ever-rising labor and material cost will render the foundation repair expensive if you decide to do it at a later date. So any foundation issues will be affordable to fix as soon as you have noticed them.

More Time Wasted Equals More Work

You will be required to pay for additional secondary repairs the more your foundation settles. Included in this are changes to windows and doors, flooring fixes, roof leak fixes, and brick-and-mortar repairs. The quicker you fix your house, the less expensive it will be to fix these extra issues.

If You Are Planning to Move

It is always preferable to get these repairs made before the home is listed if you intend to sell it in the reasonably near future. In this way, you are in charge of deciding which contractor to choose and, of course, what you are ready to pay. Once a buyer enters the picture, they usually influence this area.

Priority

The obvious reason why your foundation requires immediate attention is that it is a priority. If you have any other house repair scheduled, you should hold it off until you solve your foundation issues first. This is necessary because any additional repairs made before the foundation repair may be affected if your property is mechanically lifted.

If you want to learn more about your foundation issue (contact us), or to have your foundation repaired by a professional, contact us today at Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair.

One common question that people have is whether or not having foundation repair done on their foundation will affect how much their home is worth. This is often very important to anyone who is looking into selling their home because foundation repairs are costly, and they want to make sure that they will be able to invest in their home when paying for foundation repair. Here is some important information on how foundation repair will affect the value of your home.

A Foundation With Issues Is The Real Problem

A foundation that has been repaired isn’t an issue, but a foundation that hasn’t been repaired most definitely can be. Someone who knows that your home has foundation issues is not likely to purchase your home because they don’t want to have to deal with repairing the foundation themselves. Foundations are costly to repair, and having one that is unstable can be a dealbreaker for most people who are looking into purchasing a home.

A Repaired Foundation Can Increase Your Home’s Value 

One important thing to remember is that a repaired foundation can actually increase the overall value of your home when you sell it. When your home is appraised, the cost to repair the foundation will be accounted for, and this will help you to sell your home for more. The person who buys your home will also feel confident in knowing that they are purchasing a home with a solid foundation. This allows you to know that the cost of repairing your foundation is most definitely worth it, both in terms of an investment and safety.

To learn more about how foundation repairs affect the value of your home, or to look into having your foundation repaired by a professional, visit us today at Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair. 

While cracked concrete slab foundations can be unsightly and cause problems with moisture intrusion into your house, they’re usually not a sign that your entire foundation is about to crumble or collapse. In most cases, these common issues are easy for professional contractors like Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair to fix quickly and affordably. Understanding more about why these cracks happen will help put your mind at ease—and help keep them from getting worse

Faulty Installation

Faulty installation is one of the most common causes of cracked concrete slabs. This can be due to a number of different factors, including:

• Using materials or installation technique that are not recommended for your particular application. For example, if you don’t use enough reinforcing steel in your slab foundation and the soil under it moves during construction, it could cause the concrete to crack over time.
• Not leveling out the foundation first before pouring concrete into it. If you don’t level out your foundation properly before pouring it with cement, cracks will form because there’ll be too much pressure on some areas versus others (like corners where two walls meet).
• Not using the right equipment for excavating or hauling away dirt and other debris during construction work – this can lead to unstable soil conditions when building a flat surface such as a driveway or patio area

Tree Roots

Tree roots are the most common cause of foundation damage. Tree roots can cause cracks in the foundation, which will eventually lead to a sinking foundation. In some cases, tree roots can even cause the entire building to collapse if they are left untreated.

Settlement Cracks

Settlement cracks are formed when the concrete settles, or sinks into its foundation. They can also be caused by stress from frost heave and shrinkage. If you notice settlement cracks in your slab foundation, then most likely there is a problem with the design of the slab or it was poured improperly. Typically settlement cracks will form along walls and corners of a house where the most weight is placed on them by foot traffic and furniture use over time.

Moisture Intrusion

Moisture intrusion is one of the major causes of concrete foundation problems. Moisture can cause damage to a concrete slab foundation in many ways:

• Cracks can form as moisture migrates through walls and floors, eventually leaking into the concrete and causing it to become weak.
• Concrete spalling occurs when water works its way between layers of concrete and freezes, forming ice wedges that peel apart sections of the floor or wall surface.
• The freeze-thaw cycle is another contributor to cracks in foundation slabs; when temperatures drop below freezing, ice expands inside your walls until there’s no more room for expansion—and then it freezes again until there’s no more room for expansion—and then it freezes again…and so on. This repeated thawing and refreezing causes loss of strength at a molecular level over. Eventually those cracks will be wide enough that you’ll notice them!

Pipe Leaks

Pipe leaks can cause your concrete slab to crack. If the leak isn’t fixed, it will continue to weaken the foundation and eventually lead to a larger problem. If you have a pipe leak, call your plumber immediately for an evaluation.

Don’t Let Cracks Get Worse. Call in Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair to Evaluate and Repair Your Slab

Concrete slab foundations are a common foundation type and can be easy to install. However, it’s important not to overlook problems like settlement cracks or moisture infiltration that may lead to further damage. If you have a concrete slab foundation that has cracked or sunk and needs repair, contact us at Hargrave Custom Foundation Repair today! We have experience repairing and rebuilding foundations of all sizes. We also offer free estimates so you know exactly how much your project will cost before we start work on it.