Creating and Fixing Foundations for Your Home
How’s the foundation under your home? If you are like most Houston property owners, you probably don’t know how to answer that question — and that’s okay. We’re here to help. Take a moment now to connect with Home Masters, and we’ll explain what kinds of foundation services we offer and how you can use those services to make sure your house is in great condition for years to come.
The Importance of a Good Foundation
If you don’t work in construction, the importance of a quality foundation might not be immediately clear. Isn’t there just a bunch of concrete under the house that holds it up over the years? Well, yes, concrete is typically used for a foundation, but there is a science to getting the foundation just right.
A compromised foundation will cause a number of problems for a home. Even a minor shift in the position of the foundation over the years will have a major impact on how the house performs. Some of the problems that you are likely to see when the foundation moves include doors that won’t open or close, windows that stick, walls that have cracks, and more.
If you have started to notice some issues in your house like those mentioned above, it’s likely that the foundation is to blame. Good foundation contractors will be able to spot these signs a mile away. To work with one of the best foundation companies Houston has to offer on the repairs that might be needed to protect your home’s future, call Home Masters today.
Foundation Construction for New Homes
It’s necessary for foundation companies to be able to offer a number of different types of foundation projects depending on the needs of the customer. We are experienced with many different types of foundation projects, so you can bring us in no matter what type of work is planned.
Slab-on-grade Foundations
This is perhaps the most basic type of foundation. A slab-on-grade foundation consists of a concrete slab that is poured at ground level and allows for a new structure to be built on top. This simple approach is commonly used for small buildings like a shed or even a detached garage.
Pier and Beam Foundations
One option to raise the foundation off the ground and limit the amount that the house moves over time is a pier-and-beam system. This type of foundation uses a number of piers at ground level to support the beam structure above. Plenty of structures in the Houston area are supported by a pier-and-beam foundation because this system works in places with unstable soil.
Elevated Foundations
Also known as a raised foundation, this system is great for areas prone to flooding. In this case, the foundation will raise the home above the level where water is likely to collect and cause problems. It’s a good idea to talk to your foundation contractor to determine what type of system will make the most sense for your property.
Reinforcement and Moisture Barriers
In addition to building and repairing foundations, we can also add moisture barriers to keep the home above, high and dry. We can also reinforce foundations to ensure they stay stable for as long as possible without the need for further repairs.
Why Do Houston’s Homes Have Foundation Issues?
Foundation contractors in the Houston area tend to stay busy. But why is that the case? Why do so many homes in this part of Texas run into foundation problems as the years go by?
A combination of climate and soil conditions is to blame. First, the soil. The land in the Houston area is primarily made up of clay, and clay soil is prone to significant shifts over time. When it is wet, clay soil will swell up, only for it to shrink back down when it dries out. This type of soil is difficult to build on, and it presents plenty of challenges for a foundation.
Next, we add the climate into the equation to see the real scale of the problem. Heavy rains will come through Houston from time to time, followed by long periods of drought. You can see why this is a problem. That heavy rain will cause the soil to swell for a while, and then it will shrink down during the drought times. All of this leads to conditions that make it difficult for a foundation to stay stable and support your house as it should.
Signs of Foundation Problems
We touched quickly on the signs of foundation problems earlier on this page, but let’s take some more time here to go into detail on what to look for if you suspect that your foundation might be struggling to do its job.
Cracks in walls are often one of the first signs that the foundation is moving. If the foundation drops slightly in one area, cracks may develop as a result of that shift. The wall isn’t going to fall down or anything like that, but the crack in the paint that you see is indicative of a bigger problem that needs to be resolved.
You might also notice that the floor in one part of your home no longer feels level under your feet. A floor that is even slightly out of level will be easy to notice as you walk around, especially in your bare feet. As the problem gets more significant, you might notice more dramatic signs like gaps between the walls and the ceiling, or visible movement in exterior structures.
Contact Home Masters for Foundation Repairs & Construction
A strong foundation is essential for every home. At Home Masters, our foundation construction and repair services will ensure that your home has the platform it needs to remain firmly in place for many years ahead. If you suspect that your home is experiencing foundation issues, even if you aren’t sure, give us a call today to schedule a consultation, and let’s get to the bottom of this critical matter right away.