The last thing any homeowner wants is to find puddles in the basement, which is why waterproofing near San Antonio is so important. Interior and exterior basement waterproofing can help you avoid the dangers of water damage, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality in your home. To determine what type of waterproofing is best for the situation, however, it is first necessary to identify the source of the problem. Continue on if you would like to learn about the steps of basement waterproofing.

Drainage Problems

A fully prepared homeowner will have a proper drainage system in place in order to prevent water from pooling around the foundation  of the home. Unfortunately, there are a few problems that may arise regarding these drainage systems if they are not maintained. Clogged gutters can lead water to overflow into the backfill, or the gutter may not extend past the backfill in the first place. If water is allowed to run or pool alongside your house rather than draining away from your foundation, it may seep into your home. It is particularly important to keep up on your drainage maintenance during the fall and winter months when leaves and snow are more likely to interfere with your drainage processes.

Groundwater

In addition to drainage problems, you may experience water in your basement due to backfill saturation. This occurs because the soil that lies between your foundation and the natural earth is looser and more prone to absorbing water. As more and more water makes its way into this loose soil, more pressure is put on your foundation, and eventually, water seeps through the concrete. Your waterproofing company can address this problem by installing a drainage system inside your basement. In this case, water will enter the basement, but it will be removed before it can cause damage.

Moisture that seeps in through your foundation can cause all kinds of problems, so it is best to eliminate them with waterproofing near San Antonio. Using both interior and exterior basement waterproofing techniques, you can make sure you keep your foundation dry. Watch this video clip for tips for waterproofing a foundation.

A wet basement can lead to serious problems like water damage and mold growth, which can impair the structural integrity of your home and cause health problems. Fortunately, you can use waterproofing to keep moisture out of the basement and avoid these issues. In some cases, the best idea may be to modify the drainage. You can keep the water away from the foundation of your home by redirecting it using a downspout and an extension. You can also use interior basement waterproofing products that you can apply directly to the inside of the foundation in order to seal moisture out.

Replacing the foundation of your home can cost a fortune, so before you make the decision to do it, you should look into your foundation repair options. You can obtain foundation repair serving San Antonio for just a fraction of the cost of a total foundation replacement, and it will make your foundation strong and level again. How exactly does it work? Here are the steps that are taken when a foundation company uses piers to raise and support your existing foundation.

Excavation of Soil

Before anything is done, a contractor will assess the property, mark off any gas lines surrounding the home, and then indicate where the piers will be placed to fix the foundation. The soil in those areas will then be excavated in order to give the contractor access to the foundation. Once the soil is removed, the contractor will also chip the foundation and make it smooth so that support brackets can be installed.

Installation of Brackets and Hydraulics

When the excavation is finished, it’s time for the contractor to drill the piers down to the desired depth and install the support brackets that go on them as well as the hydraulics. Each of these must be installed properly before moving on to the next step to ensure that the home is raised the right way.

Raising of the Home

Once the piers, support brackets, and hydraulics are in place, the hydraulics can be used sequentially in order to raise the home to the desired height. The contractor will make sure that the home is level throughout the process. Fastening plates and support brackets will then be permanently attached to the piers, and the contractor will record the depth of each pier as well as the pressure and elevation readings for each of them.

Finishing Touches

After the foundation repair is complete, it’s time to replace the soil that was excavated and take care of any landscaping that needs to be done to make the exterior of the raised home look great again.

Concrete flatwork, which refers to any concrete work along a horizontal plane, has numerous benefits can help to boost the overall value of your property. To learn all the basics you need to know about concrete flatwork , read on.

What Is Concrete Flatwork?

Concrete flatwork refers to any concrete work along a horizontal plane on your property. Floors, patios, sidewalks, and concrete stairs are all included under the umbrella of concrete flatwork. Substantially less pricey than stone or brick mason work, concrete flatwork is a favorite for installation among property owners.

With increasing design options available, concrete flatwork is a wonderful option for garages, basements, walkways, driveways, steps, and patios. Well-done flatwork with the right finish and design can better the value of your home.

T he Benefits of Concrete Flat Work

Concrete flatwork is incredibly durable and can last up to 30 years without the need for repair work or new pouring of concrete mix. Brick, stone, and woodwork just don’t wear as well, and they require much more regular maintenance on the part of the property owner. With excellent durability, concrete is ideal for driveways or garages. Without the need to worry about weeds creeping through stone or rocks, concrete is also excellent for patios and sidewalks.

How Concrete Flatwork Will Improve Your Home

High-quality concrete flatwork installation increases the value of your home by bettering its curb appeal. Poor driveways, sidewalks, and steps are aspects people notice immediately when looking at your home. If you’re looking to sell your home or simply invest more to increase the property value of your home, poor driveways, steps, and sidewalks must be taken care of. With so many design and finishing options available today, concrete flatwork can be a very appealing solution for any homeowner, regardless of aesthetic preferences.

Quality Matters

If you’re serious about creating a beautiful concrete flatwork surface, the quality and expertise of the contractor you’re working with matters. Great detail goes into the mixing of aggregates properly with quick delivery to cure best.

Premium concrete flatwork can be finished in a variety of ways, so it’s important to work with a highly experienced company to take advantage of all the options available to you. Brush-textured concrete is a beautiful option for work done on the exterior of your home or property. Concrete stains or dyes allow for endless customization options as well.

For Restoration, Repair, and Maintenance Needs, Look to MitchCo Foundation Repair

With over 30 years of experience in the field, MitchCo Foundation Repair has the expertise you need to ensure that your concrete flatwork is restored and maintained optimally. Investing in your concrete flatwork enhances the beauty and improves the value of your home. Contact us today to learn about the high-quality services available to you that will best meet your needs.

Over time, all home foundations settle. The common causes of foundation settling are improperly backfilled soil, expansive soil, and tree roots. Movement in the foundation can affect the entire house and must be addressed right away. The structural issues will only become worse over time and can decrease your home’s value. Fortunately, there are some signs that indicate your house needs leveling.

6 Signs Your House Needs Leveling Due to Foundation Issues

1. Unlevel Mortar Joints

Expansion joints, or the vertical gaps between bricks or concrete blocks, are usually experts’ go-to way of spotting foundation settlement. If the mortar that fills these joints is showing gaps, cracks or expansion, that’s a sign of foundation settling that may require foundation leveling.

2. Cracks Along the Exterior and Interior of Your Home

Another major sign of foundation settling is visible cracking along the interior or exterior of your home. If your home has any brick work, check for cracks in the mortar between the bricks, along with vertical cracks that seem to be growing wider. Additionally, if you have any brick work or not, look for cracks on the inside of your home, paying special attention to drywall, plaster, fireplace veneer and wood paneling. Don’t forget to check ceilings and floors too. Bulging floor tiles and exposed concrete floors are also signs of issues that may quickly become cracks, especially for basement floors.

3. A History of Previous Repairs

If you bought your home from a previous owner, check the history of past repair work. If there is evidence of patching cracks, replacing latches, or moving framework, this likely means that settlement could be occurring.

4. Stuck Windows & Sticking/Swinging Doors

Has your home ever given you trouble when it comes to closing doors or windows? If your house has foundation issues on one side of the structure, your house may now be at a slight angle causing your doors and windows to become stuck. This suggests that your house is no longer level.

5. Uneven Floors

Check for slants in your floors using a tape measure or level in numerous areas of your home including your interior walls and exterior walls. Slanted floors could be caused by other issues in your home, but this is still worth checking.

6. An Unstable Chimney

Leaning or cracking chimneys in many instances could suggest foundational issues if your chimney shares its foundation with your house. If you’ve had to repair your chimney because of these issues, it’s a good idea to check for settlement issues in your home’s foundation.

Contact a Highly-Experienced Professional Today

When it comes to foundation repair, this is a job best left to the experts. House leveling is very technical, and improper techniques used on your own could further worsen the foundation damage. At MitchCo Foundation Repair, we have been helping homeowners in the San Antonio area for over 20 years. We provide timely completion of projects and free, no-obligation estimates. Contact MitchCo Foundation Repair today to address your foundation repair needs.