Saving money with DIY solutions sounds tempting, but not when it comes to your foundation. The foundation is the backbone of your home, and DIY foundation fixes can destroy it instead of improving it.
Therefore, if your foundation needs repair, seek professional help. Professional assistance is crucial for all sorts of foundation problems, from cracking and sinking to moisture intrusion and wall bowing.
In this blog, we will explore why DIY can harm your foundation and why professional foundation repair is important.
When Do Homeowners Opt for DIY Foundation Repair?
Homeowners tend to opt for DIY repairs for several reasons, such as cost-effectiveness.DIY repairs are a safe option for small problems, such as:
Sealing Minor Cracks: You can fix the minor cracks and gaps in your foundation walls yourself. Fill the cracks with epoxy injections to seal them. But remember, cracks always have an underlying cause, and you might not be able to figure it out on your own.
Yard Grading: Improving the yard slope and ensuring adequate drainage can be a smart DIY project. It can prevent upcoming foundation problems, yet it might fail to fix the existing damage.
What are the Risks Involved in DIY Home Foundation Repair?
Here are some risks associated with DIY foundation repair:
Lack of Knowledge
Most homeowners lack adequate knowledge regarding foundation problems. Most of the time, they fix the apparent problem but fail to figure out its real cause. Without knowing and resolving the underlying problem, the repair is likely to be ineffective.
Safety Hazards
Since foundation repairs involve tight spaces and heavy tools, only an expert knows how to handle them carefully. If you are not experienced, you can get injured.
Hidden Dangers
Improper foundation repairs can lead to structural issues that compromise the overall structural integrity.
Expensive Mistakes
An incorrect repair can intensify the existing problems and lead to costly repairs down the road. If you lack experience, DIY repairs can cost you more in the long run instead of saving you money.
No Warranty
DIY foundation repair is not covered by a warranty. You will have to pay out of pocket for any damage.
Some Do-It-Yourself Foundation Repairs Can Go Wrong!
Many DIY foundation repair processes go wrong, forcing homeowners to call experts to intervene and handle the situation, which can make the process costlier than ever.
Self-Leveling Compound
Some homeowners think they can level an uneven foundation floor themselves using a self-leveling compound. However, this is just a cheap and temporary cosmetic fix that does not address the real issue of foundation settling and only adds weight to your sinking foundation.
Carpentry Lift
A carpentry lift involves lifting your home off its foundation and then leveling it with the help of lumber wedges and shims. It’s a daunting task, but it only serves as a temporary solution to fix settling foundations. In fact, carpentry lifts only aggravate the existing problem and must always be avoided.
Professional Foundation Repair Solutions
Foundation repair professionals possess all the necessary tools, expertise, and equipment to fix your foundation problems and repair underlying issues. Here are some professional foundation repairing solutions:
Sealing Cracks
Professionals fill the cracks in your foundation walls using high-quality sealants or patches. In this way, they seal the cracks and prevent water damage and moisture from invading your foundation. They also thoroughly inspect your foundation to identify and fix the underlying reasons behind these cracks.
Underpinning
Underpinning involves assessing the condition and type of soil surrounding your home and then reinforcing it with push piers or helical piers. These piers lift the settling foundation and level your home. The piers are installed in the ground until they reach the load-bearing soil. Then, the piers are attached to the footer of the foundation to lift and level your home.
Fixing a Bowing Wall
Foundation walls are often surrounded by expansive soil, which can be affected by hydrostatic pressure. As a result, they become vulnerable to bowing. Foundation experts can successfully repair the leaning foundation wall by using solutions like wall plate anchors and helical tieback anchors. Professionals also install adequate waterproofing and drainage systems, such as French drains and sump pumps, around your basement to prevent future water buildup.
Why Should You Choose Professional Foundation Repair?
Instead of focusing on DIY solutions, here’s why you should think about hiring professional foundation repair services:
Expertise
Skilled technicians working in foundation repair companies know how to diagnose problems and implement the right solutions.
Proven Methods
Most foundation technicians use proven and up-to-date methods to repair your foundation, ensuring long-lasting, high-quality results customized to your particular foundation problem.
Lasting Results
Since the experts focus on addressing the core problem instead of surface-level repairs, your foundation becomes structurally sound for years.
Expert Analysis
Before these experts start repairing your foundation, they perform a detailed inspection. This check-up enables them to pinpoint the cause of any foundation troubles and then suggest a plausible solution.
Warranty
Most reputable foundation repair companies back up their work with warranties. Therefore, always choose a licensed contractor for the repair so they can handle any unexpected problems that arise during the repairs and save you from additional costs and liabilities.
Contact Professionals for Proper Foundation Repair
Many homeowners tend to opt for DIY repairs to save money. However, do-it-yourself home improvement projects can cause more damage than benefit to your foundation. Therefore, you should always seek professional assistance for fixing foundation problems and avoid DIY repairs. Call for professional help if you’ve noticed any signs of foundation damage in your home.
