Foundation Repair for DIYers: Proceed With Caution
DIYers are an enthusiastic and determined lot. They know how satisfying it is to tackle a repair or home improvement project without calling in a contractor. The benefits of saving money, getting the job done on your schedule and being able to brag about your success are good insurance that DIY activities will continue from one generation to the next.
DIYers have never had it so easy when it comes to finding the tools and materials to complete a wide range of home repair and home improvement projects. Most families live within an easy drive of a local Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, or other building supply outlet. Home improvement megastores provide access to the same resources the pros use –from specialty fasteners and pneumatic tools to masonry sealers, plumbing supplies and plywood sheathing.
Fixing a cracked foundation is a tempting DIY project
Repairing a cracked concrete slab or foundation wall probably ranks high on the list of home repair projects that would be tempting for a DIYer to take on. After all, the repair location isn’t in a main living area like a bedroom or bath, so your work doesn’t have to disrupt everyday activities. There’s no problem getting the supplies you need to repair cracked masonry. And you won’t have to pay much for patching mortar, perhaps some caulk or sealant, and a trowel for making the application. The job shouldn’t take long either. Fill the crack with mortar, smooth over the application and clean up; you’re done.
Treating the symptom rather than the cause
There’s only one problem that might rear its head when you patch a cracked foundation, but it’s a big one. Patching a cracked concrete slab or foundation wall is certain to be just a temporary fix if you don’t also address what caused the cracks in the first place.
Tiny hairline cracks in masonry that are too small to admit a business card are often the result of concrete or mortar shrinking as it cures. These minute cracks are normal and don’t signify any structural issues. The same can’t be said for larger foundation cracks, however. When larger cracks occur, other forces may be at work, like soil pressure or settling soil that doesn’t provide sufficient support for a concrete footing or slab.
When soil movement or soil pressure causes a foundation to crack, a patch repair to fill the crack is certain to be just a temporary measure. In other words, the crack will recur and probably worsen, since the conditions that caused the damage are still present.
Foundation repair contractors provide permanent engineered solutions
Home Depot and Lowes don’t stock the equipment and repair materials that foundation repair specialists have access to. These specialty contractors can drive steel piers into unstable soil beneath a cracked slab or footing, establishing support points in stable, solid soil at greater depth. Weak or unstable soil can be bypassed, creating solid bearing support that will eliminate further foundation damage.
The purpose of this article isn’t to discourage DIYers from making masonry repairs. Instead, the objective here is to encourage homeowners to get an expert opinion about foundation cracks before deciding to make a DIY repair. Established foundation repair contractors don’t charge anything to inspect foundation damage or explain repair procedures and provide estimates for repair work. Instead of investing time and money in a repair that will just be temporary, it’s smarter to get an expert assessment from a foundation repair contractor.
Rainy Day Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair in Washington State. Visit them online for a free foundation repair estimate.