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.

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.

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.

Why should concrete leveling be at the top of your to-do list?

When we have visitors to our homes, we want them to be safe and have fun, but when we have uneven concrete that fun can be cut short when a loved one trips over an uneven surface.

Concrete lifting should be at the top of your to-do list for several reasons, we have delved into a few of these reasons below.

Increasing the safety of your family and friends

We want to decrease the risk to our loved ones while they visit our home. Enjoy time outside without the worry of an uneven sidewalk catching them off guard!

It is more cost-effective than a complete replacement

If you leave your concrete uneven for a long period it will become harder to repair with concrete levelling and a full concrete replacement will be needed which can be costly.

It can increase the value of your house

If you have plans to put your home on the market, you should look to have this concrete lifting work carried out before instructing a surveyor. Having a presentable, safe yard will help increase the value of your home on the market.

Less likely to have problems caused by water damage

Texas downpour can have a lasting effect on your concrete if it remains uneven. Water follows the path of least resistance and will end in the gaps in the concrete.

Help the environment

By opting for a concrete levelling service, rather than a full concrete replacement you will be helping avoid sending concrete into a landfill.

If you have any questions about our Fort Worth concrete levelling service check out our FAQ’s here. For a quote from our team, please fill in the below form and our team will be in touch!

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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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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!

Why winter is a great time for foundation repair work

Homeowners can experience many problems during the time they live at a property. One of these problems is the appearance of cracks in the interior and on the exterior of the home. When this happens, the homeowner must decide when the best time of year to get these problems fixed would be. Luckily for our homeowners, there is never a bad time to take the initiative and fix your foundation.

As we settle into our cooler months in Fort Worth, we want to remind you that Winter is still a great time to complete your foundation repairs.

No Ground Movements

During the winter months in Texas, we have lower temperatures and rainfall which tends to lessen the amount of foundation movement.

During the cooler winter months, the ground remains relatively still, making it an ideal time to complete work.

Great stability

We can expect great stability from foundation repairs during the winter months.  Due to the reduced heat and rain, the ground is softer, allowing pillings to be pushed to maximum depth.

Ready for peak business

For many seasonal businesses, winter can be a quieter time with fewer customers coming in and out of the premises, making it the perfect time to undertake work and repair any concrete faults. This can reduce disruption and hazards during your busiest months.

If you notice uneven concrete or cracked foundations, there really is no best time of year to resolve these issues, get a contractor on-site as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to your property. Our team of highly trained concrete contractors are on hand all year round to help homeowners and commercial businesses with their foundation repair needs.

To receive a free quote, please fill in the below form and one of our team will be back in touch.