Best Foundation Repair And Waterproofing Solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Problems
I’ve noticed cracks in my foundation and a few on my basement walls – are these serious?
Most property owners have no idea how to tell if the cracks in their foundation walls are serious or not. You are not alone. Some “shrinkage cracks” are common in poured concrete walls and floors, but other cracks, such as those in a block foundation are not. In most instances, a foundation crack is an indication that something has shifted or settled – this is especially obvious if a crack is wider at one point than another.
The bottom line with foundation cracks and concerns – it’s always good idea to seek a reputable professional’s opinion.
I’m not sure about the foundation and settlement around my home. What are some of the signs I should look for?
On your home’s exterior you should look for the following:
- Cracks in the concrete foundation
- Diagonal (stair-step) cracks in brick wall
- Brick or mortar joints that vary in width
- Tilting or leaning chimney
- Separation of wood trim at joints and corners
- Separation of concrete driveway, patio or sidewalk from the foundation
On your home’s interior:
- Cracks in sheetrock/plaster walls or ceilings
- Cracks in walls at corners
- Cracks in walls above doors
- Doors and windows that stick or are hard to open/close
- Un-even floor surfaces or sloping of floor
- Cracks in concrete floors (wider than 1/16th of inch)
- If your home is experiencing any of these conditions, it is a good idea to Call Robbins and Company. A complete assessment of both your interior and exterior should be performed.
A professional foundation repair representative will ask questions regarding the area surrounding your home (nearby creeks, new construction, recent repairs), when you first noticed the problem(s), if they are more prevalent during certain weather seasons than others, age of the home, etc. This type of question and answer helps in the proper diagnosis of a foundation problem and providing a custom solution.
My walls have started to buckle or bow in. I’ve heard that digging around the entire house and basically re-building the basement walls is the only solution. Is this true?
Every home is unique and therefore, every foundation problem is specific to the structure it supports. Re-building basement or foundation walls is certainly an option but it is not only time-consuming, expensive and inconvenient, it does nothing to solve the underlying problem – foundation soils exerting pressure against the walls. The first step in your situation is to have your foundation evaluated by a reputable and experienced foundation repair professional. Like Robbins and Company.
Once an evaluation is completed, options for repair should be presented to you in writing. As the patent-holder for the original Wall Anchor System, Grip-Tite recommends an earth anchor and wall plate system which permanently stabilizes a foundation wall (whether block or concrete) and prevents further movement.
I’m concerned about sagging floor joists in the crawlspace beneath my home – what can be done to support these?
Our sturdy jacks are designed to provide supplemental support for distressed floor joists or support beams. The sturdy jack raises, levels and stabilizes without the need for excessive excavation or messy concrete. Installation of the jack is relatively quick and will not leave a crawlspace or your property in disrepair.
These DO MEET building code requirements. Many stabilizers out in the marketplace do not – so be sure to ask your contractor for validation.
My concrete floor has become a tripping hazard with lots of cracks – what can be done?
The first suggestion is to contact a professional foundation repair contractor for an evaluation. It is important to determine what is causing the cracks and/or uneven floor.
During the evaluation, a professional foundation repair contractor will inspect both the exterior and interior of your home and ask questions regarding the changes you’ve noticed. With all of these variables in hand, a professional foundation repair contractor will make a recommendation regarding repairs.
I’m planning to build a new home and would like to prevent any foundation settlement in the future. Can this be done?
During construction, before a foundation is poured (constructed), Grip-Tite® New Construction Piers can be installed to effectively stabilize a foundation by transferring the structural load of a home to deep, suitable soils.
As others have found, the Grip Tite® New Construction Pier System is often more affordable than over-sized concrete footings or removing and replacing unsuitable foundation soils.
With the Helical Pier System, the piers are mechanically advanced into the ground to a predetermined depth or capacity and the tops of the piers cast into the grade beam or column pad. Consult with your local Grip-Tite dealer regarding your residential or commercial construction project – you’ll be glad you did.
Projects
The length of a project truly depends upon the nature of the foundation problem and suggested repair.
For instance, a typical bowing basement wall can be stabilized in less than a day (situations vary) with little damage to a lawn, landscaping or decks.
For stabilization projects, Robbins and Company will perform minimal excavation on the exterior of a property to expose a foundation’s footings. The soil is replaced once work is complete.
Once we receive your signed contract, we immediately schedule your appointment and crew at the earliest available date. At Robbins and Company, we can do this because we proactively stock all necessary materials for upcoming projects.
Thanks to our long-standing industry experience and strong supplier relationships, we eliminate the typical 1–3 week wait for materials after an order is placed. This also helps control costs—we buy materials at yesterday’s prices, allowing us to keep our pricing more stable and competitive for our customers. Our streamlined process ensures faster service and greater satisfaction.
Proposals
NONE! We don’t have extra charges for fees. Other companies have been known to charge for a “Steel Surcharge”, a “Setup” fee and others. We don’t do that for our customers, so read your proposals thoroughly and always ask questions on anything you’re not familiar with or clear about on details.
Our proposal is good for 30 days.
We do NOT charge you for anything should you choose to cancel the contract 48 hours after signing.
Payments
We require NO money down on most projects for homeowner-owned properties. This is unique in the industry, as many contractors will require some, or all money be put down before beginning the project.
Our payment terms are Net 30 or COD on most projects unless engineering is required before project begins.
Yes, Robbins and Company offers a variety of financing solutions for homeowners including in-house financing so you don’t have to deal with pre-approval from a bank.
