How North Texas Soil can Affect Your Home Foundation

North Texas Soil And Your Home Foundation

The North Texas soil is a major factor in foundation damage. The majority of the north forms part of the Texas Blackland Prairie which is made up of relatively deep soil with the bedrock sitting far below.

In the western part of this prairie, a chalk bedrock helps to support home foundations. However, the rest of the region doesn’t offer any support to foundations which can lead to rapid damage. As if that’s not enough, the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex is located on a slope. So you might find that your home is sitting directly in a drainage path!

The nature of the North Texas soil is, however, the biggest problem. A large portion of the DFW area is located on thick clay soil. During the rainy season, the soil absorbs a lot of water and expands. But as soon as drought sets in, the water is lost and soils quickly contract and crack.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Texas is affected the most by this expansion/contraction trend because northern soils contain the highest levels of clay compared to other regions in the country. Even compared to South Texas, the upper third of the state contains a lot of clay particles, making it prone to seasonal expansion and contraction. The area covering Dallas through Tarrant to Collin and Denton counties is among the worst with over 50% clay content.

When North Texas soil expands and then shrinks, your home and its foundation will rise and fall. Over an extended period, say a few years, this could cause foundation sinking and settling. Since different areas of the soil expand and contract at different rates, the settling is usually uneven which can result in cracking. And in some cases, this can require expensive foundation repair work to prevent the problem from getting worse.

But that’s not all. Clay soils also drain rather poorly. Even several hours after rain or snowing, you’ll still find water pooling next to your foundation. This too can cause heaving and sinking and ultimately lead to foundation failure.

What you can do

If you’re worried about your foundation having seen signs of settling or shifting, don’t wait. Act now. Ensure that your gutters are clean, create drainage channels to direct rain water away from the home, and install a drip irrigation system to ensure consistent moisture in soil adjacent to the foundation. Above all, call a foundation expert to further diagnose the problem. You’ll save thousands of dollars, and possibly the home!

Atlas Foundation Company has been providing reliable foundation repairs for homeowners in the Greater Fort Worth area since 1958, and we stand behind our work with a free lifetime structural warranty

If you think your foundation may be in need of repair, give us a call and schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate.

Foundation Warranties Explained

Foundation Warranties

Shopping for a foundation repair company in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas can be a little overwhelming. Different foundation repair companies offer different solutions, different levels of expertise and different warranties on their repairs. Many offer lifetime transferable warranties on their work, but include a lot of confusing fine print. Homeowners need to be sure they understand exactly what is covered by the warranty, including the fine print.

Here are some things to consider when comparing foundation warranties.

What are Transferable Foundation Warranties?

Not all foundation repair companies offer transferable warranties and those who do often have confusing terms. If you sell your home, your transferrable foundation warranty can be assigned to the new owner, but this doesn’t happen automatically. Most foundation companies require that you fill out the necessary transfer documents within 30 days of the transfer of the property title. Many also charge a fee to transfer the warranty.

Our foundation repair warranty stays with the property for the lifetime of the home. We do not require the new owner to contact us and we don’t charge a fee to transfer the warranty.

What Causes Foundation Warranties to be Voided?

Substantial structural alterations can also cause your warranty to be voided. Things like the addition of a room or swimming pool and major plumbing leaks can also affect your warranty.

Natural disasters like earthquakes, tornados, fires, and floods can also impact your warranty.

Improper maintenance can also cause your warranty to be voided. Uneven moisture in the soil is a major cause of foundation failures here in the Fort Worth area and any reputable foundation repair company will take the time to explain how to minimize the risks. Failure to take the necessary actions to properly maintain your foundation following a repair can cause your warranty to be declared null and void.

Failure to pay for your foundation repair in a timely manner can also void your warranty.

Our Lifetime Transferable Foundation Warranty

We offer what we feel is the best foundation repair warranty in the industry and we take the time to answer all your questions and make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. Click here for more information about our Lifetime Transferrable Foundation Warranty. Please call us at 817-478-1181 if you have questions or need additional information.

Foundation Maintenance Tips for Fall

Fall Foundation Maintenance Tips

Most homeowners think of summer as the time to pay particular attention to their home’s foundation. Here in the Fort Worth area, our hot, dry summers can cause the soil around your foundation to crack and shift.

As we move into the cooler, wetter months it’s not the lack of water but poor drainage that can present problems for your home’s foundation. Here are some simple things you can do this fall to ensure your foundation is in good condition.

Foundation Maintenance Tip #1 – Look for Cracks

As you rake and bag leaves and other debris from your lawn and gardens this fall, do a quick inspection of your home’s foundation. Look for new cracks in exterior walls, walkways, and the foundation itself. Small cracks are typically not an indication of foundation problems but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them just the same. The best way to do this is by taking note of their location and size over time.

To do this, simply hold a tape measure next to the crack and grab a photo with your Instamatic or cell phone camera. When you do your preseason cleanup next spring, compare what you observed last fall to the current condition of the crack. If you notice that the crack has widened, deepened, or increased in length, it’s a good idea to have it professionally inspected by a reputable foundation repair contractor.

Foundation Maintenance Tip #2 – Check for Proper Drainage

Keeping the soil around your foundation consistently moist is the best way to prevent problems. In the summer, that often means using a soaker hose to keep the soil from becoming too dry. In the fall, the problem is often too much water combined with improper drainage. As you make your inspection, look for standing water near the foundation and make modifications as necessary to fix the problem. In some cases, this can be as simple as adding more soil near the foundation to create a sufficient grade to allow water to flow away from the home. If the problem is more severe or persistent, you may need to consider having a French drain installed.

Foundation Maintenance Tip #3 – Check Your Rain Gutters

Leaky or obstructed rain gutters are a common cause of standing water near foundations. Be sure to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your gutters this fall and that the ground beneath the downspouts provides enough of a grade to move the rainwater away from the foundation. If the grade is not sufficient to move the rainwater away from your foundation, you might consider installing a downspout extension. While you’re at it, you should install leaf guards to prevent future clogs.

Foundation Maintenance Tip #4 – Inspect Your Landscaping

Finally, you should check to make sure tree roots are not encroaching on your foundation. Mature trees can absorb as much as 150 gallons of water per day! That’s water that could otherwise serve to maintain the moisture of the soil around your home’s foundation. To prevent this problem, you should consider removing any trees that are near the foundation, or installing a root barrier to minimize the risk.

These simple foundation maintenance activities can help minimize the chances of damage to your home’s foundation. If you feel that your foundation may need repair, call Atlas Foundation Company at 817-478-1181 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate.

Why watering your foundation is important

5 Facts You Need to Know About Watering Your Foundation.

1. Sprinkler systems are not enough.

Almost all homes in North Texas show some sign of minor movement also known as settling. This area is notorious for clay soil and it can wreak havoc on your foundation if given the chance. The best way to maintain your foundation and prevent future movement is to properly water your foundation. Many home owners assume a sprinkler system is adequate to water the foundation but we have found in our 60 years of experience that it is not.

2. Maintaining soil moisture content is important.

This simply means making sure the ground around your foundation is not too dry and not too wet. In hot dry months the soil will shrink as water evaporates. In cool wet months the soil expands. This movement puts stress on the slab and can eventually lead to more serious problems. By maintaining the moisture content, you can help control the constant flux of your foundation.

3. Drip irrigation systems work best.

Texas A & M AgriLife recommends you create a dedicated irrigation zone around the house for watering the foundation. If you have an irrigation system, create a dedicated irrigation zone for your foundation. Install a drip irrigation zone about 8 to 18 inches from the foundation.

4. In dry years, you will need to water year-round.

Consistency is the answer and every home is different. The National Foundation Repair Association states that during persistent hot dry weather, it may be necessary to water a foundation daily. Watering should supply enough water to keep the moisture content in the soil under the foundation constant. If the amount of water applied is only enough to keep the surface damp, the watering program will not work.  Cooler temperatures do not always guarantee an increase in rain.

5. Watering is not always enough.

Each home is different and a consistent watering schedule does not guarantee your home will never move. If you begin to notice damage including brick cracks, doors sticking or separation around your doors and window frames you may be in need of
foundation repair. Please contact us at 817-478-1181. With over 73 years of combined experience, one of our owners will personally come out and give you a Free No Obligation Estimate.

How to Keep Tree Roots from Harming Your Home’s Foundation

Ornamental trees provide us with cooling shade in the summer, provide songbirds with nesting places and increase the value of our homes.  They can also be a real threat to your home’s foundation – but not for the reason most people think.

Although tree and shrub roots can be invasive, they’re no match for poured concrete and concrete block foundations.  However, they can affect the water content of the soil on which your foundation sits which can lead to serious and sometimes costly foundation repairs.

According to the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences website,  “One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground.”  That’s water that the soil needs to keep from cracking and shifting during the hot, dry summer months.  Tree roots that grow too close to your home’s foundation can severely deplete the water content of the soil.  Unable to penetrate the concrete slab, larger roots can also grow beneath your home’s foundation, sidewalks, and driveway.  As they continue to increase in girth, roots can apply a tremendous amount of upward pressure on these concrete elements and, in some cases, cause them to crack.

Inadequate drainage and soil grading can also be a problem.  Overwatering a tree that is located at a higher elevation can cause the unabsorbed runoff to pool around your foundation.  Over time, standing water can be absorbed by your home’s porous concrete slab, weakening and causing it to crack.

New Tree Placement to Protect Your Foundation
When planting new residential landscaping trees in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, you should choose varieties that have taproots that grow vertically. These include oak, walnut, hickory and cone-bearing conifer trees.  Keep in mind that some trees have root systems that spread beyond the drip line; the area directly located under the outer circumference of the tree branches.  So the root system of a  30’ tall tree could spread more than that distance in all directions.

Dealing with Existing Foundation Problems Caused by Trees
If you notice that an existing tree’s roots are threatening your foundation, driveway or sidewalk, you have a few options.  If the roots are threatening these structures but haven’t yet caused a problem, you might consider installing a root barrier to divert their growth.  If root growth is causing the soil around your foundation to dry out and crack or sections of your driveway or sidewalks to be lifted, you might consider cutting them back to prevent further damage.  Keep in mind that this might harm the tree or just prolong the inevitable as the pruned roots may regrow in time. The third and safest option is to have the tree removed entirely.

If your foundation has been damaged by invasive tree roots, give Atlas Foundation a call for a free foundation repair estimate.   We’ve been serving homeowners in Fort Worth and the surrounding communities for sixty years, and we stand behind every foundation repair we do with a transferable, limited lifetime foundation repair warranty.  Call us today at 817-478-1181 or click here to contact us via email.

Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service 

Burleson, TX 2017 – Atlas Foundation Co, Inc. is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’ s List in 2017.

“The service providers that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award have demonstrated the level of excellence that members have come to expect,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided top-notch service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2017 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an ” A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, record a current trade license attestation and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Click here to learn more about the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Atlas Foundation Co, Inc has been listed on Angie’s List since 2012. This is the 2nd year Atlas Foundation Co, Inc. has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continua11y on Angie’ s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.  Atlas Foundation Company, Inc has been family owned and operated in the DFW area since 1958.

Founded on principles of quality and integrity, Atlas offers a wide variety of services to repair slab and pier and beam foundations including concrete pressed pilings, steel pilings, interior leveling, and drainage. The repairs are backed by a True Limited Lifetime Warranty and three generations of knowledge to ensure your repairs are completed correctly and efficiently.

Contact: Atlas Foundation Co, Inc. (P) 817-478-1181
Website: www.atlasfoundationinc.com

Why Do I Need a Plumbing Test After a Foundation Repair?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask when having their foundation repaired is “Why do I need a plumbing test?”

A reputable foundation repair company will perform a hydrostatic plumbing test after any major slab foundation repairs are performed to ensure that there are no water leaks which could further damage your home.

Foundation problems can cause parts of your home and its plumbing to shift. Likewise, foundation repairs require that your home and in some cases its plumbing to be moved back into alignment. Both the problems and the repairs can cause plumbing pipes to leak or break. In some cases, a plumbing leak can actually be the reason foundation problems occurred in the first place. If a structural engineer oversees your repairs they will require a plumbing test be performed after repairs.

Why are post-foundation repair plumbing tests required?

Foundation repair contractors require plumbing tests to ensure that any pre-existing leaks or leaks caused during the repairs have been found and corrected for the following reasons: Leaking and broken water supply pipes and sewer lines can lead to additional foundation problems. They can also present a health risk to your family. Standing water can attract insects and lead to mold and mildew problems. And leaky and broken sewer lines can result in unpleasant odors and worse.

For all these reasons, foundation repair companies require that a plumbing test be done and that any problems found during the test be properly fixed before warrantying their work. Hydrostatic Plumbing Tests and Foundation Repair

What is a hydrostatic plumbing test?

A hydrostatic plumbing test is a very specific type of test that places the home’s entire sewage system under pressure and allows the plumbing contractor to identify even the smallest of problems.

During the test, a flexible, inflatable ball is placed in the home’s main sewer line cleanout and one toilet is removed. The ball is then inflated to the point where the sewer pipe is completely blocked, and the home’s sewer system is then filled with water up to the slab level. If the plumbing contractor isn’t able to raise the water level in the sewer system to slab level or if the water level reaches slab level but then drops within 15 minutes, leaks are present somewhere in the sanitary sewer system.

Most houses built after 1970 have a sewer cleanout located outside the home. If your home doesn’t have a cleanout, the plumbing contractor can remove a toilet located on your home’s lowest level and perform the test or a cleanout can be added.

We’re the Fort Worth Foundation Repair Experts

Don’t take chances with your home’s foundation. When it comes to foundation repairs, you can never be too careful. If you suspect your home’s foundation may be in need of repair, you should have it inspected by a reputable foundation repair contractor as soon as possible. Worried about the cost? That’s no reason to put off dealing with the issue. If your home does have a foundation problem, it will likely get worse and the cost of the repair will only increase as it does.

Want to learn more about plumbing tests? Give us a call at 817-478-1181. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

Think your foundation may be in need of repair? We offer Free Estimates and a Free Lifetime Structural Warranty on all pilings and piers we install. Call us today at 817-478-1181.