Foundation Inspections
The foundation is the most important part of a house.
It establishes a structural base for a house to sit on and be anchored to.
The two main types of foundations found in Texas are:
Engineered concrete slabs
Pier and beam foundations (which can consist of various pier and beam materials)
A foundation can be poorly impacted by multiple factors including:
Improper drainage around the foundation
Broken pipes within or near the foundation
Improper installation by the contractor
Soil types
and more factors
A damaged or failing foundation can cause safety hazards by preventing doors and windows from opening or closing, causing crushed or broken water or drain lines, and providing inadequate support to framing of walls and floors.
Failing foundations can also be very costly for homeowners to have repaired because most foundation repairs are not covered by home insurance.
We’ve all heard the commercials…
“Have you seen drywall cracks?
Do you have doors that stick?”
While those are good questions to ask, drywall cracks and sticking doors don’t always mean there are foundation issues.
Most foundation repair companies are quick to try to help and provide repairs, but unfortunately, foundation repair companies are not licensed or regulated by any state agency or standard. They also have a vested interest in suggesting and selling repairs.
A poor foundation repair can actually cause even more damage than existed before the repair!
So, what should you do if you think you have foundation issues?
Contact an independent professional inspector or a professional engineer.
SmartGuard Professional Inspections, PLLC is certified to perform foundation evaluations using specialized equipment to:
measure elevations inside a house
take measurements to determine amounts of slope or deflections
evaluate that information to determine if the foundation is within the parameters of “performing” or not.
If the foundation is not considered to be “performing”, we recommend consulting a professional engineer to determine the scope of repairs needed and to obtain a specific plan/design for the repair process.
All of our inspections are performed by professionally licensed and insured inspectors in accordance with Texas law and the standards of practice set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission.