Atlas Foundation Company Celebrates 65 Years

Atlas Foundation Company Celebrates 65 Years in Business

Burleson, Texas-based Atlas Foundation Company, Inc. is celebrating 65 years of providing expert foundation repair services to homeowners in the Greater Fort Worth area.

Atlas Foundation Company, Inc. was founded by Willard Murdock on three simple principles: Honesty, Quality, and Integrity.  Prior to starting the foundation repair company, Murdock worked as a residential flooring contractor.  He quickly realized that before new flooring could be installed, the homes he and his brothers worked on had to first be leveled.   In 1958, Murdock left the flooring business and started Atlas Foundation Company, specializing in pier and beam foundation repair.

In 1978, Murdock handed control of the company to his daughter and son-in-law.  Together, Glenn and Mary Ford worked tirelessly to carry on Murdock’s tradition of honest and excellent workmanship.  To keep overhead low, Mary ran the office out of the couple’s home and passed the savings along to their growing list of clients.

In addition to growing the company, Glenn and Mary were also raising a family.  In time their sons, Darrel and Lonnie, joined the family business.  Darrel Ford says, “Our dad believed in making us start from the ground up when we decided to learn the business.  You can’t do this job right if you do not understand every aspect of the repairs.”  Through hard work and dedication, the brothers rose through the ranks from unskilled laborers to crew foremen, eventually helping write estimates and handling the day-to-day operations of the company.

In 1995, Glenn and Mary retired and passed the baton to the capable hands of their sons.

The brothers say a lot has changed over the years. “Originally we started with drilled piers,” says Lonnie. “Now we install concrete and steel pressed pilings.  We find that they are much more affordable and reliable and they can be installed with minimal disturbance to the landscaping.”

Atlas Foundation Company has evolved and grown in order to stay at the forefront of the industry, but Willard Murdock’s core values of “Honesty, Quality and Integrity” are still the guiding principles by which the company operates.  Those principles have served them well.  The company continues to grow, in large part because of referrals by satisfied customers throughout Tarrant County.  The company is listed on the Good Contractors website and maintains an A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau.  Atlas Foundation Company has been awarded the BBB Golden Torch award, was a finalist for the Greater Tarrant County Business Ethics Award presented by the Neeley School of Business and have twice received the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, most recently in 2017.

Darrel Ford says, “We strive to treat our customers as we would a member of our family.”  And that’s saying a lot.  Atlas Foundation Company is a success story that was built on family loyalty.  With Darrel and Lonnie at the helm, other family members help manage the day-to-day operations of the business.  Darrel’s wife, Christy manages the office and their daughter, Lindsay, oversees marketing and works in the office helping customers as they call in.  Lonnie’s son, Kyler, oversees a crew and is also being trained from the ground up.  Phillip and Bobby, Superintendents, have both been with Atlas for over 18 years.  They are an integral part in the day-to-day operations and oversee each job that is completed correctly.

Eventually, Darrel and Lonnie will hand the reins to Kyler and Lindsay who will take over as the fourth-generation of owners.

When you need reliable, affordable foundation repair in Fort Worth or the surrounding areas call Atlas Foundation Company at 817-478-1181.

How To Check For Foundation Problems In Your Home

We understand that your home is a big investment, for many of us it is one of the biggest investments we will make, that is why homeowners need to know how to check for foundation problems that may occur and get them fixed before it is too late.

Texas is notorious for movements in the soil, with our extremely hot summers that dry out the soil causing it to shirk and our wet winters that put the moisture back, causing two big movements in our foundations each year. Over time this can become detrimental to your home, causing costly issues.

For any homeowner in Texas, it is good to be aware of the signs of foundation problems.  Below are our top 5 signs to look out for in your home.

1. Exterior brick cracks. 

2. Interior cracks opening up larger than a hairline. 

3. Separation around the door and window frames.

4. Doors that are sticking / swinging or locks that are hard to bolt.   

Pay attention to the soil in your yard and around your foundation for cracking and pulling away.  If your soil is getting dry, foundation problems are soon to follow. 

However, do not worry about tile, slab and hairline cracks or if a ball can roll freely on the floor. No slab is built 100% level, so these signs do not mean your house is moving or sinking, some settling is to be expected due to the Texas soil conditions.

If you noticed any of the above issues in your home you should get a contractor to come and evaluate your home, from then the contractor will advise you on the steps to take to avoid these problems getting worse.

If you would like more advice on your potential foundation problems please call us on 817-478-1181 and one of our experienced contractors will be happy to help and schedule a free, no-obligation estimation.

If You’re a Fort Worth Homeowner, You Likely Have a Slab Foundation

In the Greater Fort Worth Area, most houses are built with a slab foundation. In simplest terms, this means that concrete is poured onto the ground, creating a base layer, and then the house is built on top of the concrete slab. Strong, cost effective and durable, they are a popular choice. Concrete slab foundations are often seen in warmer, southern climates because if exposed to too much freezing cold, they would continually have problems with cracking. Also, basements in water climates can attract flooding and water seepage since the water table is closer to the surface.

Atlas Foundation: Experts in Slab Foundation Repair

Of course, there is a lot more engineering and construction that goes into building a slab foundation. First, the land should be graded to allow for drainage and to help keep the completed foundation from sinking. Next, a layer of sand is place on the ground for both drainage and cushioning. Post tension cables or steel rods are used for reinforcement and strength. The poured concrete will be about 4-6 inches in the center of the foundation, but thicker in the perimeter and selected locations to give extra support. Homes built with a slab foundation do not have crawl spaces or basements. There are pros and cons to building a home with a slab foundation.

Slab Foundations Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Drying time for a slab foundation is less than the drying time needed for basement curing. Houses can be built faster.
• Can hold a lot of weight from furniture and other household items.
• Slab foundations are less expensive, especially because basement space does not have to be dug out.
• Less risk of flooding, mold (no damp basements!) and gas leaks.
• Fewer open spaces means less access for pests to get into the home through the foundation.
• Homes are built closer to the ground, so fewer steps are needed to enter the house. This is especially advantageous for residents with a physical disability.
• Lower utility bills since there isn’t extra airspace between the house and ground

Cons:

• Ductwork must be better insulated since it is run above the ground in the attic or living spaces.
• Space is needed for heating and cooling units in the main living square footage. They cannot be stored out of the way in the basement.
• Lack of a crawl space or basement means less storage.
• If wood is directly against the soil line, insects and rodents can get in through the walls.
• With plumbing pipes under the slab foundation, leaks are harder to diagnose, locate and repair.
• If the ground under the foundation is not compacted well, it can cause sinking later on.
• Slab foundations can still crack in warmer weather due to tree roots, soil movement and too much or too little exposure to water.

Let’s look at the last disadvantage of slab foundations more closely. In the Fort Worth area, the soil types can be problematic. When wet, the soil will expand. When dry, the soil will contract. This back and forth movement puts pressure on the slab foundation, causing shifting, movement and settling.

At Atlas Foundation, we teach our clients to take care of their slab foundations to help prevent movement and cracks. We recommend:

• Proper drainage and grading
• Keeping moisture levels consistent
• Regular inspections
• Calling Atlas Foundation at the first signs of suspected slab foundation problems

#1 Fort Worth Foundation Repair Company

Do you have a slab foundation? If you live in the Fort Worth Area, chances are that you do. When problems arise, you can trust Atlas Foundation to provide quality repairs and expert advice. We have been satisfying homeowners in the Greater Fort Worth area for over 60 years. Contact us at 817-478-1181 or visit our website to schedule a no-cost estimate.

Commercial Concrete Laying

First impressions count, especially in business. That’s why your business needs to maintain the outside of your premise, you want your new customers to build a first positive judgement.

Parking lots

A smooth journey to the business location can make all the difference to your customers, that includes getting their car parked with ease.

Using concrete levelling, you can even out your parking lot, eliminating the risk of your customers and clients damaging their cars on your premises.

Pathways

Uneven pathways can be a trip hazard for your clients as they walk to and from your businesses.

If an accident were to happen on your property to a customer your business may be a liability, so it is in your best interest to keep the premises up to a high standard.

Better yet, don’t leave it too late for your concrete to become a hazard to both your staff and customers keep up your maintenance and beat the Texas weather that typically causes damage to the foundations.

Our team at Atlas Foundation are experts in concrete levelling and concrete lifting and can transform your commercial premises.

Get in touch with us here for more information.

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Polyurethane Foam is Changing Concrete Leveling for the Better!

Traditionally, concrete repairs requiring the leveling, raising and stabilizing of concrete slabs was done by a process called mudjacking. Mudjacking is a time-consuming, expensive and messy process. Now, many of the same concrete repairs can be performed with Polyurethane Foam!

How does concrete repair with polyurethane foam work?

1. First, small holes are drilled into uneven concrete areas in key locations.
2. Next, the polyurethane foam is injected into the holes with specialized equipment.

The foam expands into all of the voids, filling in gaps and stabilizing the underlying soil.

A dense, strong base is created underneath the existing concrete.

Expertly and methodically, the precise amount of needed foam is determined to lift the concrete back to its original height.

3. Finally, the holes are filled with materials to match the look of the existing concrete.

Polyurethane foam is lightweight, dense and strong

Concrete leveling with polyurethane foam provides many benefits:

• Smaller and fewer injection sites. Most holes are about the size of a nickel.
• The injection sites are barely noticeable when expertly filled in by an experienced crew.
• Fast and quick! Many projects are completed in only a few hours.
• Sets and cures quickly, so you can utilize your concrete area instantly.
• Lightweight polyurethane foam is strong, dense, and long-lasting.
• Resistant to moisture, chemicals and insects found in the surrounding soil
• Environmentally friendly materials. Polyurethane foam is manufactured with non-toxic compounds (some of which are recycled!) and won’t leach into the surrounding soil.
• Less expensive than mudjacking with grout or complete concrete replacement.

Interested in concrete leveling with polyurethane foam? Call Atlas Foundation at 817-478-1181 for a free quote

The commercial polyurethane foam used by trusted concrete repair companies like Atlas Foundation is not the same as the foams you can buy in a can from a neighborhood home supply store. This is a process that is wisely left to experienced, trained teams using the correct equipment. You can expect a smooth process that shouldn’t affect your landscaping, and will last a long time. Just remember that the soil in the Dallas Fort Worth area is subject to shifting and movement, so proper maintenance and drainage is recommended after concrete leveling is performed on uneven concrete areas.

By providing a faster, cleaner, less expensive option, polyurethane foam has changed the process of concrete leveling. If you have been avoiding concrete repairs because you anticipated high costs, days of noise, and a messy process, it’s time to reconsider. Atlas Foundation can level your concrete with polyurethane foam injections and refresh the look of your walkway, patio or driveway. It will help your home’s value and be safer for your loved ones, too.  

Use the Best Fort Worth Foundation Repair Company

Are you interested in learning more about concrete leveling with polyurethane foam injection for your home? Call the experts at Atlas Foundation 817-478-1181 or visit our website. We can schedule a no-cost estimate and answer all of your questions. Our family owned company has served the foundation and concrete repair needs of North Texas homeowners for over 50 years. If you live in the greater Fort Worth area, you can trust Atlas Foundation for its expert and honest repair work and friendly customer service.

Can foundation problems devalue my home?

When you are looking to sell your home, you want it to get a high valuation and make money back from the sale. However, our homes can be devalued by the condition of our foundations.

Both the indoors and outdoors of our homes can go through a lot of wear and tear that can slowly build up and cause damage to the foundations of the house. In turn, this can devalue your home up typically up to 15% dependant on the damage type!

Common foundation issues that affect the value of the home can include sagging ceilings, uneven ground and cracks the brick exterior.

Selling a house with foundation problems can also turn away potential buyers.

First impressions matter more than even when viewing a house for the first time and if your prospective buyers see your home with sagging ceilings, cracks in the walls and doors that don’t shut properly, it can turn them away immediately.

The state of the housing market also needs to be taken into consideration. If you are selling at a peak time in housing sales, your valuation will much likely decrease further and you will have to lower the asking price of your home.

If you would like a fast, high-value sale, we would suggest working with a foundation contractor on these issues before putting your house on the market to ensure you get a true valuation.

If you are looking from an estimated cost of the work you need completing, please get in touch with our skilled foundation repairs team today!

How to avoid cracks in your home caused by foundation movement

Interior and exterior cracks are a common issue we face here in Texas as we experience hot dry summers. When we begin to notice movement, it is essential to stop and / or correct it before more problems follow.

We’ve put together some tips to keep your foundations healthy year-round.

Water your foundations regularly

Watering your foundations multiple days, a week is essential. If you have a drip irrigation system in place, make sure this it is set at a minimum to water every other day for several hours. During our warmer and drier months, you may want to water every day if soil around the foundation appears to be dry and cracking.

Moisture Levels

While sprinklers will help moisten the ground and water the grass, they will not maintain proper water moisture soil content. By installing a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses you can assure that the moisture is able to penetrate deeper into the ground, helping to protect your slab.

Drainage is important

While it is important to water your foundation, it is also important to ensure that the water is not allowed to pool around your house for extended periods of time.

When soil stays too wet it can begin to expand and that movement will cause walls to crack. This is especially true if plumbing leaks are allowed to continually dump water under the slab.

Be careful where you plant your trees

Trees and shrubs can make your house feel like a home but planting them too close to your foundation can cause issues in years to come. During our dry season, the trees will pull moisture from the soil and can cause the foundations to settle unevenly and begin to form cracks.

Use a foundation contractor you can trust

For those who are already dealing with cracks in their foundation or concerned about other signs of movement, you must use a concrete repairs contractor that you can trust.

Atlas Foundation Co is a family-owned and operated business servicing the foundation repair needs of homeowners in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas and have been for the past 60 years. See what our clients have said about our foundation repair work in our reviews!

If you are looking a foundation contractor get in touch with our team or you can request a free quote online below.

House Foundations: Pros and Cons

For many of us, we don’t think about the foundations of our new home in the buying process but this is something we need to consider when buying in Fort Worth. We’ve put together our expert knowledge on foundation repair and published the pros and cons of each house foundation type.

There are four different types of house foundations:

• Concrete slab
• Pier and beam
• Crawl space
• Basement

Let’s look at each one more closely.

Concrete Slab Foundations

Concrete Slab foundations are pretty easy to explain. Reinforced by steel rods and drain pipes, concrete slabs are made from—you guessed it—concrete. Concrete is poured over excavated and compacted land, and the house is built directly on top of the slab. Due to its ease, lower cost and versatility, concrete slab foundations are one of the most popular, especially in the Greater Fort Worth Area serviced by Atlas Foundation.

Pros: Concrete Slab foundations are economical, quick, can be built almost anywhere, and are strong. They have less maintenance than other types of foundations and are more fire-resistant. Also, it’s less likely for creepy crawly things to get into your home through the foundation.

Cons: Concrete Slabs do not protect against floodwater as the house remains close to the ground. Also, cracks can occur due to shifts in the weather and moisture levels. Lastly, repairs are more difficult to get through, as it may be necessary to break through the concrete in order to reach the problem.

Pier and Beam Foundations

Pier and Beam foundations are more likely to be seen in the Greater Fort Worth Area on houses built before the 1960s. Concrete or metal piers are secured into the soil with concrete. Beams are built above the piers to support the building. Piers and Beams are also often used for foundation repairs.

Pros: Pier and Beam foundations can be used on sloped landscapes. Also, repairs are can be more economical and less cumbersome than with a slab foundation since problems are easier to reach. They are long-lasting, and since above the ground, prevent termites from attacking your home.

Cons: They might prevent termites, but other creepy-crawly things like rodents might find their way into your Pier and Beam foundation. Also, without proper ventilation, moisture can build up and cause problems such as rot and mould. Finally, if you have a lot of very energetic pets and/or children in the house, the floor can vibrate and creak.

Basement Foundations

Basement foundations are rare in our area of Texas. Basements work better in areas that do not have a lot of ground movement. Houses with basements are built with concrete pillars that border the perimeter of the house and support the above-ground structure.

Pros: The huge advantage of basement foundations is the extra square footage that can be used for living space, storage, laundry—you name it! Also, basements can be a cooler place to spend a hot summer day.

Cons: Basement foundations are expensive. Also, they can be prone to flooding, excess moisture, and mold.

Crawl Space Foundations

Crawl Space foundations have four walls that are built up from the soil, often using some concrete pillars for extra support. The walls support joists that, in turn, support the floor of the house. Think of it like a mini, shallow basement. Crawl Spaces are often built in areas where the soil is difficult to dig. These are also not common in the Greater Fort Worth Area.

Pros: Crawl Spaces protect against high groundwater. Also, airflow underneath helps keep homes cooler in the summer. Plus, there’s extra space under the house to store some outdoor items!

Cons: The summer advantage can be a disadvantage in the winter, as it can be more difficult to heat a home with a crawl space. Also, if moisture gets trapped in the crawl space, or there is little insulation, you have future problems.

Foundation Repair in Fort Worth

If you experience any issues with your foundations our team at Atlas Foundation is the one to call for inspecting and repairing all types of issues. You can trust us to provide quality repairs and expert advice. We have been satisfying homeowners in the Greater Fort Worth area for over 60 years.