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Foundation Wall Repairs and the 4 States of Foundation Wall Failure!

Foundation wall failure that requires significant foundation repairs typically happens over time to a foundation that is constantly stressed beyond its strength.

The results can be serious, with substantial foundation wall repairs becoming necessary to save the foundation and the whole structure sitting on top of it.

Though these problems do not happen overnight, the signs of impending foundation failure often get ignored for long periods before something is done about it.

These four stages of foundation wall failure can help homeowners understand what is happening so that appropriate foundation wall repair solutions can be sought sooner, rather than later.

  1. Stage 1 - Horizontal Cracking - Long horizontal cracks near the middle of the wall are usually the first type of foundation wall damage to appear in a foundation that is undergoing damage due to uneven settlement, inward pressure, and other problems. Hairline cracks may not require intervention, but cracks that create an actual gap in the wall suggest that bigger problems could be coming. Foundation wall repair solutions made at this stage can prevent worse damage and the higher cost that making repairs will involve.  
  2. Stage 2 - Stair-Step Cracks - As the problem worsens if foundation repairs are not made, stair-step cracks may start in the corners, moving downward along a block foundation wall toward the straight of the wall. This is a sign that pressure against the wall is increasing and it may start bowing inward at that point. 
  3. Stage 3 - Bottom Shear Cracking - When the bottom row of blocks shear off those that are actually set into the concrete pad, this is a sure sign that the wall is moving. Unless significant foundation wall repairs are made, collapse is likely. 
  4. Stage 4 - Wall Failure - If stair-step corner cracks and bottom shear cracks are not remedied with the appropriate foundation repair, eventually the wall will fail and collapse inward, into the basement space.

The message here for homeowners should be clear - seek foundation repairs as soon as those first little cracks start to appear.

There is no telling how slowly or quickly more substantial damage will occur.

The safest and least expensive option is to discuss foundation wall repairs with an experienced foundation specialist, then start taking the steps necessary to prevent Stage 1 problems from progressing.

With the right foundation wall repair solutions used earlier on and a few thousand dollars, homeowners have a better chance of preventing a foundation disaster that could end up costing them tens of thousands of dollars instead.

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What Is an Egress Window in a Basement Foundation?

Egress windows are safety escape windows that homes with a basement are usually required to have.

Basement egress windows provide an emergency escape route from the house in the event of a fire or some other emergency.

Not every foundation includes an egress casement window; however, depending on how a homeowner wishes to use that space, it might be necessary to install one. 

When Are Egress Windows Needed?

According to local building codes in most locations, there must be a window large enough for a person to escape through it in bedrooms and other areas of a home that do not have direct and clear access to a door that leads outside.

This also applies to attics and basements if they are used as living spaces.

Normally, basements and attics are not required to have windows in them; however, should a homeowner decide to finish their attic or basement, they are required to install an egress window in those spaces to provide an emergency exit. 

What Size Must Egress Windows Be?

By regular, basement egress windows must be at least 24” in height and open at least 20” from the frame so that an average-sized person can fit through it in an emergency.

It must have a total clear space once the window is open of 5.7 feet or more to give the person room to exit and have a bottom windowsill height of no more than 44” so it can be easily opened and exited through.

Lastly, these windows, including egress casement windows with hand cranks, must be able to be opened without any special tools so they can be opened quickly when necessary.

In cases where the window must be installed higher than 44” at the windowsill, the installation of a permanent ladder under the window is required. 

Discuss Egress Window Needs Before Creating A New Living Space

When finishing basements to increase livable space inside the house, homeowners should discuss basement egress window installation with an experienced foundation service that can make the opening the right way without causing extra damage to the foundation.

Deeper foundations may also involve the installation of an egress window well, which is an area of soil dug out in front of the egress window to provide space to exit the basement when the foundation is fully underground. 

In Summary

Finished basements are a great and useful addition to any home.

When planning one, homeowners must remember to include the cost of having an egress window installed.

The best way to accomplish this is to contact a reputable foundation and basement service for an estimate to install a basement egress window and then provide an experienced, trouble-free installation.

Egress casement windows are necessary safety features in any finished basement that require installation by a foundation expert.

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Keeping A Basement Dry and Why It Is So Important!

Dampness or water in a basement is a sign that basement repairs are necessary.

Even if the moisture problem is minor, dry basement repairs are necessary for the health of the house and its residents.

Whether dealing with slow leaks or simply a mustiness in the house that emanates from the lower level, basement repair services will protect the people and the property.

Why Is Having A Dry Basement So Important?

The two main reasons why homeowners should look into basement repairs for damp basements are the potential for further foundation damage and the possibility of health problems.

Even the tiniest hairline cracks in a foundation will worsen over time, letting in more water unless dry basement repairs are made.

If there is actual water leaking in, there may be drainage issues that need resolving, too. 

Basement Moisture Can Cause Black Mold to Grow

Moisture in a basement frequently leads to black mold in the corners and crevices, which can affect the entire house.

Without basement repairs, musty odors and mold spores can be carried throughout the house via the HVAC system, resulting in low indoor air quality.

Mold circulating through the home can cause various upper respiratory infections, allergies, and other illnesses among those living in the home.

Mold can also cause property damage if allowed to continue growing in dark, damp spaces. 

What Are Dry Basement Repairs?

Considering all of this, dry basement repairs are in order for anyone with a damp basement or noticing any water leaking in.

Basement repair services might include something as simple as painting the basement with a waterproof coating to something more extensive like installing a sump pump and drain system.

Waterproof wall panels and flooring might be another solution when dampness is minor. A dehumidifier is another simple solution.

Diagnose The Problem – Then Seek A Solution

The best suggestion for any homeowner dealing with dampness in their basement is to have a basement repair service diagnose the source of the dampness, then recommend the most suitable repair.

Whether that solution involves something simple or requires a more significant basement repair, addressing dampness issues will preserve the foundation before more damage can occur and uphold the value of the home.

Dry basement repairs will also protect indoor air quality, reducing the chance of mold-related illnesses and allowing homeowners to make better use of their basement space. 

In Summary

A damp basement might not seem like a big deal, but it could be more trouble than meets the eye.

Before ignoring dampness issues, consider having a basement repair service uncover the source and recommend the best solution to have a dry, comfortable basement!

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What is CIPP Pipe Coating and How Is It Done?

Pipe coating is one of a number of trenchless pipe coating and lining techniques used for sewer line repair when it is possible to utilize a trenchless method.

This technique, called cured-in-place-pipe lining or CIPP, is a fairly easy way that damaged sewer lines can be repaired of cracks or leaks and strengthened overall without digging up the old pipes.

It is a great option for homeowners dealing with sewer leaks, as drain pipe coating repairs are faster, less expensive, and much less invasive than traditional sewer line replacement.

How Is CIPP Done?

How is CIPP coating for pipes put in? The process is very simple and involves only a few steps:

  • Clean the Damaged Pipe - To provide a clean surface on which to apply coatings for pipes, the existing line is first cleaned out of any debris and roots, then flushed through. 
  • Bypass Sewer Line Service - A sewer line bypass is connected at the beginning and the end of the section of drain line to be repaired when the line must still be used during the process. 
  • Vacuum Out Sewer Line - After connecting the bypass, the damaged sewer line will be suctioned with a vacuum to clear out any additional water and debris after cleaning and during the repair process. 
  • Insert Liner Coating - Pulling from the street connection point, a flexible, epoxy-coated felt drain repair coating liner will be slid down through the whole sewer line creating a new interior pipe line.   
  • Cure Liner Coating - Once in place, the pipe coating is then exposed to heat and/or UV light, which will cure it in place, bonding it to the old pipe and hardening it. 
  • Restore Sewer Line Service - After the pipe coating is fully cured the sewer line bypass is removed and normal sewer service can resume.

CIPP Is So Much Better

As quickly and easily as cleaning out the existing drain line, sliding in a liner coating for pipes, and curing that coating, CIPP pipe coating can restore a damaged, leaky sewer in a fraction of the time and cost of excavation.

Best of all, since this technique is so much more convenient than traditional methods, homeowners do not have to worry about their driveways or lawns being dug up or the days-long mess that excavating out old sewer lines can cause. 

Let's Add This Up!

Safer, cleaner, and quicker, CIPP drain repair coating is the best way to repair foul-smelling, leaky sewer lines in as little as one day.Contact a sewer repair service to learn more about trenchless pipe coating techniques including CIPP!

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Sinking Foundations – Causes and Solutions

Foundation sinking can be one of the more damaging foundation problems that any homeowner can deal with.

Though minor settling is always normal, more extreme sinking requires immediate foundation repair to prevent possible destabilization of the entire house.

Why does it happen and what can be done about it?

Read on!

What Causes Foundation Sinking?

When signs like sticky windows and doors, uneven floors, cracked basement walls, crooked chimneys, cracked outside staircases, interior dampness, or even water leaking in the basement appear, a sinking foundation is a likely culprit.

It is a common problem in older homes that were built using inferior foundation construction techniques or anywhere the ground was not properly prepared and compacted before a foundation was built on it. 

Foundation sinking happens due to problems with the soil on which the house was built, such as drainage issues, poor soil compaction, soil erosion under the foundation, and soil expansion and contraction that can happen due to weather extremes like droughts, floods, and deep freezes.

As the soil becomes more destabilized and foundations continue to sink and shift, structural damage to the foundation and the entire building can occur.

If no foundation repair is done, a building could suffer so much foundation sinking damage that the danger of collapse becomes very real.. 

What Foundation Repair Methods Help Sinking Foundations?

When dealing with foundation sinking, there are a number of repairs that may be required to solve this issue.

There are three foundation repair methods used to correct this sinking:

  1. Push pier systems for standard foundation.
  2. Helical pier systems for standard foundations.
  3. Slab pier systems for slab foundations.

When installed beneath a sinking foundation that is jacked back up and put back to the correct level, all of these repair solutions stabilize the structure and prevent more sinking and the additional damage that would continue if the shifting and sinking are not stopped.

After a pier system is used to stabilize the structure and prevent more foundation movement, foundation repair addressing cracks and other interior problems can then be performed. 

Don't Ignore Your Foundation Sinking Problems!

Foundation sinking is a very serious problem that can destroy a home over time if not remedied as soon as possible.

Homeowners seeing any of the symptoms noted here, especially if they are slowly worsening over time, should contact a professional foundation repair service and arrange an inspection.

Depending on the cause and severity of the problem, an appropriate repair can be made to stop additional sinking or level the building using a support pier system and other methods.

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How Do Plumbers Perform Difficult Kitchen Drain Clearing?

A clogged kitchen drain is an annoying problem that happens in most households sooner or later.

When practical home remedies for kitchen drain clearing fail because the problem is more serious, it is time to call in a plumber.

How do they clear out drains blocked by food and gunk?

It is done first by diagnosing the problem and then using some great tools that are perfect for resolving the problem and creating clear, clean kitchen drains!

Determine The Problem

The first thing that any plumber will do before reaching into their drain clearing toolbox is try to figure out where the problem lies and what the blockage might be.

This involves a quick pipe inspection of the drainage lines leading from the kitchen sink to the main sewer line to locate the blockage.

Frequently done using a pipe camera, plumbers actually look inside the clogged pipe to choose the right tools to clear out drains depending on what the blockage consists of and how far down it is positioned.

Tools to Clear Out The Drain

After the approximate location of the blockage is determined and what it causing it, the plumber will then clear out drains using one or more of these useful plumbing drain clearing tools:

  • Plungers - Typically used to push toilet clogs through, plungers can also be used to dislodge food clogs in a kitchen sink. They are the first go-to tool that plumbers reach for when the clog is minor and closer to the sink as opposed to being further down the drain line and closer to the sewer.
  • Manual or Motorized Drain Snakes - Snakes are long, corkscrew-like cables that can be twisted down into a drain pile to dislodge a blockage by either pushing it through or pulling it up. Manual snakes have a gear that the plumber turns to rotate the snake and larger, motorized ones are either wired or cordless, making them more powerful.
  • Drain Auger - Similar to drain snakes, augers are useful to clean kitchen drains if the blockage is far down in the line and within one of the larger pipes.
  • Hydro-Jet - A hydro-jet is a high-pressure water cutting tool used when larger pipes are clogged or blocked. Though they are not used from the kitchen sink side of the problem, they could be used from the sewer drain side if the blockage is severe enough.
  • Cable Root Cleaning - Another tool used when kitchen drain clearing problems are not actually in the kitchen drain itself, but further along one of the larger drainage lines. Cable cleaning is the process of unblocking a drain and cleaning the inside using a twirling cable equipped with sharp blades that cut away at all the debris.

Kitchen Drains Can Be Cleared!

Fortunately, most kitchen drain clearing is easy to resolve as long as the blockage is not too deep into the drainage pipes.

When clean kitchen drains require a deeper solution, plumbers may attack it from the other side with more powerful tools.

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Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Really Any Good?

Sewer drain problems are bad news for homeowners as repairing damaged drain pipes can be a messy, destructive, and expensive process.

Gaining popularity over the past decade, trenchless plumbing offers a cleaner, faster, and much less destructive option when pipe rehabilitation is necessary.

In those circumstances where it is appropriate, trenchless plumbing repairs are preferred to patch and seal damaged drain pipes or those that have experienced some kind of crack or failure.

What Is Trenchless Pipe Replacement?

As it happens with many newer techniques, people wonder if trenchless pipe replacement actually works and is a worthwhile method to try.

Based on how it is done, trenchless plumbing repair of sewer and drain pipes has been a very effective repair method over the standard technique.

With minimal digging required, entire yards are not disrupted and there is minimal destruction of concrete, plus a faster repair that can be completed in a third of the time of traditional sewer line repair or replacement.

How Does Trenchless Plumbing Work?

How does it work? Trenchless plumbing is actually quite simple.

When a leak, burst pipe or blockage is detected in a sewer line, replacing the whole line is usually the best option.

To do this, a small access hole is dug where the private sewer line connects with the main sewer line and then another smaller access hole where the line connects with the plumbing system inside the home or building.

With both ends accessible, the line is cleaned out and any blockages removed, and then a thin, unbreakable polyethylene pipe sleeve is threaded in and connected.

Once that sleeve hardens and cures, it is just like having a brand new sewer line. It is as simple as that!

When Does Trenchless Plumbing Work Best?

Trenchless pipe replacement works very well for most applications where older pipes have become damaged, blocked, or porous and no longer work effectively.

It can also work using a slightly different technique called pipe bursting, to completely replace old sewer lines that are falling apart underground.

It is a great solution for most sewer line issues as it is more affordable and does not involve the kind of invasive digging that requires destroying floors, yards, and driveways to install new sewer pipes.

Don't Dig – Get Trenchless Plumbing Done!

Before committing to having their property dug up, anyone facing the issue of drain line replacement or pipe rehabilitation should talk to a plumbing service trained to do trenchless plumbing first.

Suitable for most sewer line repair and replacement jobs, it is a better, cleaner, and less invasive repair method that is changing how sewer line management is done!

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Santa – Is That You In My Attic?

The holidays are right around the corner, and as we await the arrival of Santa Claus, many smaller Texas wildlife are awaiting the arrival of the colder weather and a move indoors.

Wintertime is a busy time for wildlife control services, as this is the time when many people realize they have unexpected company in their attics.

Pay attention to the cues that you have critters as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler to know whether you need a critter control company to pay a visit.

Is There Noise Coming From Your Attic?

A very common sign that it might be time to schedule a visit from a wild animal control service is the noise coming from your attic.

The sounds of scratching, scraping, and running from above the ceiling in your house could possibly mean there are squirrels, mice, possums, raccoons, or other small wildlife nesting up there where it is nice and warm at night.

Are There Bad Smells In Your House?

Another indicator that there are critters living in your attic and you should have a wildlife control service out is the occasional presence of a musty smell in certain spots in your home.

That mustiness is the smell of the urine and feces of rodents and other small wildlife.

If you go up into your attic and the musty smell gets stronger, it likely means there is a nest somewhere up there.

Are There Signs in Your Attic on Nest-Building?

While you are up there, if you notice any ruined boxes or belongings, stains on the attic floor, shredded paper, pieces of insulation, or other potential “nesting materials” scattered around, this is another sign that there are furry squatters hiding up there.

They may not be around in the daytime when you go to check, but if there is an active nest somewhere they will be back at night.

Get Help From a Wildlife Removal Service

What should you do when noticing these things? Reach out to a local wildlife removal service to handle your critter control issue.

They will come to your house and investigate to determine whether you are hosting wild animals in your attic, what type, and plan the best way to capture and remove them for you.

The service can then also help with animal damage repair, including closing off entry points to keep them from returning.

It Isn't Santa In Your Attic!

This holiday season, as eagerly as you might be awaiting a visit from Santa, make sure that noise is not just critters moving around in your attic.

If it is, a local wild animal control service can help!

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Sealing Your Basement – Can I DIY The Work?

Sealing your own basement can be an easy way to deal with a wet basement using a wall coating that can be purchased at any home center.

Unfortunately, many homeowners find that putting on a coating is enough for a little while, but only for a little while.

Whether it has to do with the product and how it is applied or a need for foundation repairs first, there are many times when painting on a sealant just isn’t enough and can actually allow more damage to happen.

Basement Sealer Paints – Not Much Lasting Effect

While basement sealer paints do serve their purpose, they tend only to be useful in the most basic of cases when the wet basement issue is very minor.

They can work well in conjunction with other foundation repair methods, but most of the time they are not worth the money, time, and effort made to apply them by themselves.

These sealers must be applied using a special technique to ensure they actually seal, and not before diagnosing where the water is coming from in the first place.

Why Do Basement Sealer Paints Fail?

Cheap basement sealer paint fails for a number of reasons. Unless applied correctly so it gets into the porousness of the basement walls and floors it will not adhere properly.

It can peel and flake after a short time, allowing moisture to enter once again. Additionally, basement cracks, no matter how fine, must first be located and then sealed with a crack repair sealer to close them off.

Trying to seal over cracks with a layer of paint will not work. Surfaces must also be completely dry and clean during the application or the paint will not adhere well.

Must First Discover Source of Leak

The most important factor when trying to decide on foundation repairs to remedy a damp or wet basement is knowing what the source of the water is. Many times, the problem can and should be resolved using some other method.

Problems like drainage too close to the house and exterior foundation damage must be properly corrected, as a thin coating of waterproofing is not going to stop that water and damage from progressing.

In some cases, interior drains and sump pumps might be the best resolution to the problem.

Consider Calling A Foundation Service

Before spending money on gallons of expensive and messy basement sealer and putting in the hours required to empty your basement and then paint the whole thing, consider calling a foundation repair service out first to diagnose the problem.

A sealant may still be a part of the repair plan, but not before a water source is determined and other damage assessed, and repaired.

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Basement Sealing – Is DIY Enough?

Sealing your own basement can be an easy way to deal with a wet basement using a wall coating that can be purchased at any home center.

Unfortunately, many homeowners find that putting on a coating is enough for a little while, but only for a little while.

Whether it has to do with the product and how it is applied or a need for foundation repairs first, there are many times when painting on a sealant just isn’t enough and can actually allow more damage to happen.

Basement Sealer Paints – Not Much Lasting Effect

While basement sealer paints do serve their purpose, they tend only to be useful in the most basic of cases when the wet basement issue is very minor.

They can work well in conjunction with other foundation repair methods, but most of the time they are not worth the money, time, and effort made to apply them by themselves.

These sealers must be applied using a special technique to ensure they actually seal, and not before diagnosing where the water is coming from in the first place.

Why Do Basement Sealer Paints Fail?

Cheap basement sealer paint fails for a number of reasons. Unless applied correctly so it gets into the porousness of the basement walls and floors it will not adhere properly.

It can peel and flake after a short time, allowing moisture to enter once again. Additionally, basement cracks, no matter how fine, must first be located and then sealed with a crack repair sealer to close them off.

Trying to seal over cracks with a layer of paint will not work. Surfaces must also be completely dry and clean during the application or the paint will not adhere well.

Must First Discover Source of Leak

The most important factor when trying to decide on foundation repairs to remedy a damp or wet basement is knowing what the source of the water is. Many times, the problem can and should be resolved using some other method.

Problems like drainage too close to the house and exterior foundation damage must be properly corrected, as a thin coating of waterproofing is not going to stop that water and damage from progressing.

In some cases, interior drains and sump pumps might be the best resolution to the problem.

Consider Calling A Foundation Service

Before spending money on gallons of expensive and messy basement sealer and putting in the hours required to empty your basement and then paint the whole thing, consider calling a foundation repair service out first to diagnose the problem.

A sealant may still be a part of the repair plan, but not before a water source is determined and other damage assessed, and repaired.