5 New Year's Resolutions for Austin Homeowners
Posted by Craig Milam on Mon, Jan 04, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
A list of 5 resolutions Central Texas Homeowners should take to heart to help protect their home investment and insure a healthy foundation:
- Know the signs of Foundation Problems
There are many telltale signs of Foundation problems, which homeowners may not be aware of. Early signs of foundation problems may be chalked up to faulty construction, poor materials, or general wear and tear. But left unchecked may lead to major structural damage in the future. Read Superior Foundation Repair's Top 10 signs of Foundation problems and check your home to see if it is starting to show any signs of these problems. Most foundation problems begin to manifest themselves within 3-4 years of construction, and when ignored can adversely affect the price of a house.
- Find out what type of soil your house is built on
Austin is home to many expansive soil types. Expansive soils wreak havoc on home foundations, as they expand during wet periods, and contract during dry periods. All this expansion and contraction leads to major stress on home foundations, and over years can seriously damage a buildings structural integrity. Read Superior Foundation Repair's blog post about expansive soils in Central Texas, and contact your builder or a certified geologist to determine what type of soil your house is sitting on. If you know you are in a potential danger zone, Superior Foundation Repair's Steel Piers can counteract the effects of expansive soils on your home by anchoring your home's foundation to bedrock.
- Learn how to avoid causing foundation problems
Oftentimes Home Owners undertake remodeling or landscaping projects at home which adversely affect their foundations. Read Superior's blog post about how home owners cause foundation problems, before making additions to a home or property. Well planned projects can save a lot of money and headaches for the future. Use certified contractors to complete any additions and do not opt for the cheapest option. Check the contractor's standing with the BBB before agreeing upon any contract, and ask for a list of references.
- Maintain a healthy foundation
As homeowners, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that minimal stress is put on a home's foundation. Superior Foundation Repair's Foundation maintenance tips are a good start for learning how to care for a home's foundation. Follow these steps to counteract typical causes of foundation problems and to protect your home investment. Even if a home has previously had foundation repair (Spread Footer, Drilled Bell Concrete Pier, Simple Pressed Pilings, Concrete Pressed Pilings, etc.) these are not permanent fixes, and the home will most likely need foundation repair again in the future. Superior Foundation Repair's Steel Pier House Leveling Process is the only solution for permanent foundation repair. By lifting a home's foundation and anchoring it to bedrock, the home will have a secure foundation for a lifetime.
- Check your landscaping and remedy potential problems
Check existing landscaping at home to avoid potential structural damage caused by poorly designed installation. Read Superior's tips about Landscaping and Foundations to learn how to properly install landscaping additions to a home or remedy current problems a home may be experiencing. Inattention to Landscaping problems can seriously affect a home's foundation, while proper care can help homeowners avoid headaches in the future.