In most parts of the country, home ownership is a full time job. From checking the condition of a foundation to surveying the results of soil analysis, there are many things that home owners need to maintain if they want to make sure that a property holds its value. In fact, foundation repair services are often necessary in many states throughout the nation. In the south, in places like San Antonio, the need for residential foundation repair might be caused by severe flooding. In the midwest, in comparison, both residential and commercial foundation repair services are needed after tornadoes.
No matter where you live in the U.S., it is important to have a professional inspection of the foundation of any building or home that you are buying. An office building or a residential home cannot be of full value if it has a cracked or damaged foundation.
When Was the Last Time That Your Home Foundation Was Inspected?
Residential foundation repairs are not often inexpensive, but that it is an investment that can help maintain, and often add, to the value of your home. And while foundations can vary from one part of the country to another, most homes in Texas that were built less than 50 years ago have a slab foundation. These foundations obviously require different kinds of maintenance than the kinds of foundations that are used in other parts of the country. For instance, a pier and beam foundation will have joists that are generally spaced approximately 18 inches apart, so it is important to make sure that there are regular inspections of those supportive joists. In addition, the subfloor in a pier and beam foundation must be a minimum of one half inch plywood, and this thin piece serves to support the house.
One of the most important considerations that are needed when it comes time to building a home is the soil. Did you know, for instance, that there are 60 different soil types throughout Texas? Each of these soils can all require different kinds of foundation considerations. Knowing exactly what kind of soil is present, no matter where a home is being built, can help contractors prepare the most reliable foundations.