• What Concrete Flatwork Is and How It Can Increase the Value of Your Home

    Concrete Slab Foundation Service in San AntonioConcrete 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.

    Concrete Flatwork Installation in San Antonio

    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

    Concrete Slab Foundation Service in San Antonio 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.

  • Why You Should Repair Your Foundation for Summer

    Blog ThumbnailSan Antonio’s clay soil, persistent dryness, and high summer heat present a perfect storm for foundation damage. In order to do its job of supporting your home, the foundation must first be supported by the soil underneath it.

    Repair Your Foundation for Summer

    When summer temperatures hit in Texas, moisture located between soil particles can evaporate, causing those particles to fall together and “shrink” under your foundation. This kind of shrinking action can cause the foundation to rotate, drop, or both.

    Issues can also be caused during times of intense storms accompanied by soaking rains. These conditions can cause shifting due to an excess of moisture between soil particles, which causes soil to become slippery and the foundation to shift.

    Symptoms of a Foundation Shift

    Albeit subtle, there are several symptoms which indicate a shifting or sinking foundation that’s in need of repair. These include:

    • Cracks in interior drywall
    • Buckling tile in the kitchen or bathroom
    • Gaps around windows
    • Doors that stick

    None of these symptoms should ever be ignored, as they can lead to major damage and expensive repair to your home’s roof and plumbing. This is why it’s so important to have your foundation repaired as soon as possible.

    Taking the First Step for Foundation Repair

    If you are seeing the above symptoms of a shifting foundation, your first step is to contact a company experienced in foundation repair. They should send out a contractor who will conduct a thorough evaluation of your property, including the land situated around your home. This will allow him or her to evaluate both the cause and extent of the damage.

    Common Repair Suggestions

    It may be that your foundation will require leveling, which involves lifting your home and then stabilizing the foundation with piers. In other cases, soil can be a main culprit of foundation problems. Where this is the case, the drainage around your home may require adjustment and the soil stabilized to prevent future issues.

    Prevention Options

    Once you’ve called a reputable foundation repair company to fix your foundation, you can apply prevention measures to ensure that your foundation doesn’t shift in the future. If the cause of foundation shifting was excessive dryness, hydration of the soil around your home will be needed.

    You can gauge the dryness of the soil by digging down six inches at your foundation. If the soil is very dry, your foundation will require hydration. However, you should dig down at your foundation and test the soil in this way at each side of your home because the conditions can and do vary.

    If moisture is needed, you’ll need to run a soaker house approximately one foot away from the foundation, allowing the water to run until the soil is only moist.

    Call the Professionals

    MitchCo Foundation Repair has over 30 years of experience in foundation repair, as well as foundation restoration and maintenance services to customers in the San Antonio area. Call our office at (210) 485-1995 and discover how we can help keep your foundation in the best shape possible.

  • The Link Between Tree Roots and Foundation Integrity

    Blog ThumbnailMature trees provide your landscaping with undeniable appeal. However, if your trees are planted too close to your pier and beam foundation, you may start to experience issues with the structural integrity of your home. If tree roots have started to damage your pier and beam foundation in San Antonio , you will want to get in touch with a team of concrete contractors. With professional concrete repair and foundation maintenance, you can make sure that your tree roots are not affecting the durability of your foundation.

    There are a few ways that mature tree roots can affect the integrity of your home’s foundation. When tree roots start to grow and spread, they can easily make their way through the soil that forms the base of your foundation. As the tree roots continue to grow, they may cause your foundation to shift, crack, and experience other serious issues. By planting trees within a safe distance from your foundation, you can ensure that your property is safe from structural harm.

    Cracked foundation repair in San Antonio, TX

  • FAQs About Pier and Beam Foundation Repair in San Antonio

    A pier and beam foundation will provide your home with excellent structural integrity, while also providing you with a spacious crawlspace. Over the years and seasons, however, your pier and beam foundation will eventually require routine maintenance and repairs. A team of concrete contractors near San Antonio will have the tools, knowledge, and expertise needed to restore your pier and beam foundation repair to excellent condition. To help you prepare for your foundation and concrete repair services, here is a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about pier and beam foundation repair.Pier and beam foundation repair experts in San Antonio, TX What are common causes of pier and beam foundation issues?

    In order to properly repair your foundation problem, it is important to identify your underlying repair problem. There are a few common causes of issues in pier and beam foundations. Improper initial installation of the piers can also lead to maintenance issues at a future date.

    One main potential issue with pier and beam foundations is the possibility of a drought. Droughts can cause settling of the posts or plumbing leaks, and excessive rain can cause a foundation to move or shift. Your foundation could permanently alter when there is a period of heavy rain followed by droughts for long periods of time. This could also cause your foundation to become unlevel and must then be structurally leveled and raised.

    How do I repair my pier and beam foundation?

    A pier and beam foundation repair is a major procedure that is best left to the professionals. During your foundation repair, your team of contractors will carefully inspect your foundation to determine the source of the damage. If improper drainage has caused the soil underneath your foundation to expand, it may be necessary to perform drainage correction services. A shoring installation can also help to stabilize a weakened foundation structure.

    Will my pier and beam foundation repairs be expensive?

    Some homeowners worry that foundation repair services will be cost prohibitive. If you neglect to repair your pier and beam foundation for too long, you may find that you have to schedule very costly repairs in the future. When you schedule a pier and beam foundation repair appointment today, your contractor will be able to work with you to help you create an affordable payment plan for your services.

  • How to Keep Your Foundation in Great Condition

    Foundation Maintenance in San AntonioThe structural safety of your home rests on its foundation. Without preventative foundation repair from a licensed contractor, you may find that your pier and beam foundation starts to shift or collapse over time. A team of concrete contractors near San Antonio can provide you with all of the repair and maintenance procedures that are needed to ensure that your foundation lasts for many decades into the future. Let’s review some tips for keeping your foundation in great condition. Foundation Maintenance in San Antonio

    Check for Signs of Damage

    One of the best ways to stop minor foundation damage before it becomes serious is to regularly perform visual inspections of the exterior and interior of your home. When your foundation is experiencing structural issues, it may start to show signs of cracking in the walls or chipping. While minor cracks should not provide you with too much cause for concern, you should schedule immediate foundation repair if you start to notice large cracks forming in the walls on the exterior of your home.

    Ensure Proper Drainage

    Water is one of your foundation’s worst enemies. During a major rainstorm, your foundation can experience serious damage if water is allowed to pool around its exterior. There are a couple of methods that you can use to improve the drainage around your foundation. First, you will want to make sure that your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly. It may also be necessary for your contractor to build a special drainage solution around the perimeter of your foundation.

    Schedule Annual Inspections

    Your foundation contractor will have special training that will allow him to easily detect when your foundation is starting to experience structural problems. To make certain that your foundation is in great condition, it is a terrific idea to set up foundation inspections every year or so. During the inspection process, your contractor will take note of any areas that look like they could be starting to weaken or break. If significant damage is detected, you can start on the repair process right away.

  • Here are compelling reasons to address foundation repairs without delay

    Foundation repair serving San Antonio may seem like an extensive process, but it’s best to call your contractor and get started sooner rather than later. If you’ve suffered damage to your foundation, it might mean that you have a drainage problem that needs correcting. The cracks associated with foundation damage can reduce the curb appeal of your home, and the problem only stands to get worse as you wait. Take a look ahead for an overview of some of the top reasons why you shouldn’t delay foundation repairs. Foundation repair experts in San Antonio, TX

    Drainage Implications

    A common cause of foundation damage is improper drainage. This means that moisture is settling on your property and affecting the soil around your foundation when it should be redirected to a safer place. Unfortunately, in this case, foundation repair is not all you have to worry about. Moisture that makes its way into the home can ultimately cause water damage, impact the indoor air quality in your household, and contribute to a mold problem. Your foundation repair specialist can take a look at your drainage and determine whether or not poor drainage was the cause of your foundation damage. Then he or she can set you up with drainage correction as well as foundation repair.


    Aesthetic Setback

    In addition to identifying and addressing drainage problems, you’ll want to call for foundation repair quickly in order to restore the appearance of your house. Foundation damage often shows as cracks in the walls of your basement or above your windows and doors. Severe cracks can take away from the aesthetics of your home, and they can show up on the inside or outside of your walls. This means that delaying foundation repairs can even affect your curb appeal.

    Developing Problems

    Just like most other problems, foundation damage will only get worse until you do something about it. The longer you wait, the worse the damage gets, and the more difficult it will be to fix. Talk to your contractor about foundation repair as soon as you notice the issue so you can make sure the problem gets better rather than worse.

  • Symptoms of Settling That Mean You Need Drainage Correction

    Draining Correction in San AntonioDrainage correction serving San Antonio aims to help direct water away from the house so that it doesn’t settle around the foundation of your home. If you have interior or exterior basement waterproofing and an adequate drainage system as it is, chances are you don’t need drainage correction. Many homeowners don’t have adequate drainage, however, and this leads to a certain set of symptoms. Recognizing these elements is the first step in seeking drainage correction and avoiding a slew of problems. Keep reading for a look at some of the symptoms of settling that mean you need drainage correction.

    When rainwater or water from your sprinkler rests around your house without being displaced, it can eventually seep into the soil and affect your foundation. This can bring about symptoms of settling, which happen when your foundation is no longer balanced. If you take a look around your house and notice cracks near your windows and doors, this may be a sign of settling. You could also find cracks in the walls of your basement or in your foundation itself, as well as water pooling around the home. If you notice these signs, be sure to call for drainage correction.

    Draining Correction in San Antonio

  • Cash Reward for a Good Samaritan of San Antonio, TX

    Blog ThumbnailMitchCo Foundation Repair handles driveway pavers and foundation repair serving San Antonio, but that’s not all we do. We also like to reward the people who go out of their way to make our community a better place , simply out of the kindness of their hearts. Take a look at this video as MitchCo Foundation Repair sponsors another cash reward for a good Samaritan.

    Most adults know what it’s like to have car troubles at some point, but not everyone experiences a close call like one 18-year-old did when her brakes went out. She was unable to get her car to stop on command while running errand, and narrowly avoided crashing into another car before rolling to a stop. A kind local who happened to work on cars for an a living identified the problem and fixed it for free. For that, he wound up with $800.

  • Home Remodels That May Require Concrete Flatwork

    Blog ThumbnailBesides foundation repair and waterproofing services, companies that specialize in drainage correction in San Antonio sometimes offer concrete installation services as well. For this reason, you should contact your local foundation repair contractor when you’re in the process of home remodeling. There is a range of projects that may benefit from professional concrete flatwork installation .

    If you’re renovating your landscaping, then you may be planning to update your driveway. In this case, contacting a professional about installing the new driveway can help ensure that the project goes as planned and that you’ll have a driveway that provides years of function. Are you thinking about adding on a garage or remodeling your current one? If so, then you may need to contact a contractor about installing the concrete flatwork for the structure. The installation of new flooring, pool decks, ramps, sidewalks, and patios are a few more examples of when you should consider working with a professional for the concrete flatwork.

    concrete - flatwork

  • The Homeowner’s Guide to Foundation Repairs

    Because it’s out of sight, a home’s foundation is also out of mind for many people. However, ignoring your foundation can set you up for a wide range of problems. One important part of maintaining your foundation is repairing it at the first sign of a problem. If you’re in need of foundation repair in San Antonio, then read on to learn about this service. Pier and beam foundation repair in San Antonio

    The Role of Your Foundation

    When constructed properly and in good condition, a home’s foundation is what holds the structure above ground, insulates it against cold temperatures, keeps moisture at bay, holds back soil, and protects it from movements in the surrounding land. Without a good foundation, your home becomes vulnerable to a wide range of structural and functional problems.

    What Affects Your Foundation

    The longevity and integrity of your home’s foundation rely on several things. First, you should know that drainage plays a critical role in the health of your foundation because too much water on your property can damage the concrete and lead to cracks and deterioration. Also, the state of the soil around your home can impact your foundation. Changes in the way the soil sits or a lack of proper compaction before its construction can result in shifting and settling that causes the foundation to crack. Lastly, tree roots can be an incredibly strong force, and as they seek out water, they can burrow through your foundation, weaken it, and leave it more susceptible to water damage.

    The Foundation Repair Process

    When you contact a foundation repair company, they will start the process by performing a thorough evaluation of your property to assess the land, inspect your foundation for damage, and identify the cause of the problem. Next, the foundation may require leveling and stabilization to restore its structure. Then, any necessary fixes will be performed. For some homes, soil stabilization and drainage correction will be needed to protect the repaired foundation from problems in the future.