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.

What is a French Drain and How Does it Work?

French Drains and How They Work

Water always flows downhill by the easiest route possible. That’s the basic concept behind a French drain. French drains are used by property owners who face drainage issues that may damage their homes, buildings, and property.  Since water flows downward along paths of least resistance, it can collect against walls and foundations.  Over time it can degrade these materials, and even a hairline crack can allow the water to gain entry where it isn’t wanted, destroying property, creating health hazards, and more. Seepage into a crawlspace can cause major damage and rotting wood.

What is a French drain?

Wikipedia defines a French drain as a trench filled with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from an area. A French drain can have perforated hollow pipes along the bottom to quickly vent water that seeps down through the upper gravel or rock. French drains are frequently used to improve drainage here in the Fort Worth area because of the soil’s high clay content.

Why is the drain referred to as French?

In reality, there’s nothing really French about them. Although some people say the name comes from the fact the sewers of Paris in the early 1800s were simple open ditches, most attribute the name to a Massachusetts farmer named Henry French. Reportedly, he came up with the idea of using small stone-filled ditches to drain water off his farmland back in the late 1800s.

What problems can a French drain solve?

A French drain is useful in solving drainage problems for any area subject to surface or subsurface saturation including flooding or pooling in your yard or flower beds, damage to an outdoor patio or damage to a low-level foundation area, especially with pier and beam foundations.

I have a slab foundation. Do French drains apply to me?

French drains allow you to maintain a consistent soil moisture content level. This is very important when dealing with a slab foundation.  Water pooling will cause the soil to swell and the foundation to shift.  This can lead to cracks and other problems.  A French drain allows the water to drain away from the housekeeping your slab safe.

If you are experiencing drainage problems or are noticing water pooling around your foundation, please contact our office.  With over 40 years of combined experience, one of our owners will come out and provide you with a free no-hassle estimate to correct your problem.  Visit our website to learn more about our drainage services for homeowners in the greater Fort Worth area.

Springtime Foundation Maintenance Tips

With spring in the air, homeowners in the Dallas / Fort Worth area will soon be getting out to trim any overgrowth, clean gutters, inspect and clean the roof, and repaint their homes. Springtime is also the time to do a little foundation maintenance to fend off potential moisture problems and prevent costly foundation repairs.

Here are some simple things you can do to ensure your home’s foundation is ready for the springtime rains and summer heat that lies ahead:

• Ensure good drainage around the house

Poor drainage around your home’s foundation can lead to problems. Ideally, the ground should slope approximately 6″ downhill away from the foundation over the first 10′ feet.

This article gives step-by-step instructions on how to measure the grade of the ground surrounding your foundation.

• Use splash blocks to direct water away from your home’s foundation

As you inspect and clean the gutters, check to make sure that rainwater is being directed away from the foundation. Placing splash blocks at the point where downspouts meet the ground will keep water from pooling around the foundation.

• Check for any plumbing issues

If you have leaky exterior faucets, they need to be repaired right away. Leaking faucets may not cause water pools right away, but they can keep the soil around the foundation continually wet. This weakens the foundation. Air conditioning drains can cause the same problem. So, make sure that AC drain pipes are installed properly and regularly cleaned to prevent overflow.

• Use organic materials to improve soil structure around the home

Organic materials such as compost can improve both the nutrient content and structure of the soil near your house. This will help with drainage as the soil will be able to absorb and retain more water to the benefit of both your foundation and landscaping.

• Plant ground cover to further improve water retention

During the warmer months, you can keep the soil adjacent to the foundation moist by planting ground cover. Ground cover is cost-efficient compared to other bedding plants because it requires little maintenance and doesn’t have to be replaced every season.

• Choose bedding plants with low water needs

Finally, choose bedding plants that don’t require a lot of water. You’ll save on your water bills while keeping the soil around the foundation moist.

These simple springtime foundation maintenance activities are inexpensive and don’t require a lot of time, and they can save you a lot of aggravation and expense in the long run. If poor drainage is still a problem, you may need to consider having a French drain installed.

If you think you may have a foundation problem, call us at 817-478-1181 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate to repair your home’s foundation.

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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.

Is My Foundation Covered by My Homeowners Insurance?