7 DIY Foundation Repair Mistakes We See All the Time
Tackling foundation repair on your own might seem like a smart way to save money, particularly if you’re handy or if the issue appears small. However, foundation problems are complex and can worsen over time if not addressed properly. Professional expertise is crucial to prevent further damage.
At Groundworks, we’ve seen many homeowners attempt DIY repairs. While these efforts may provide short-term relief, they rarely solve the underlying problems effectively.
In this article, we share DIY mistakes to avoid, explain why professional intervention is preferable to DIY methods, and how our services can help ensure a safer, more stable home environment for you and your family.
Avoid These 7 Common DIY Foundation Repair Mistakes
We’ve seen it all in the realm of foundation repair and DIY attempts. Some of the most common DIY mistakes to avoid include:
1. Exterior Digging and Wall Sealing
Water is your home’s top enemy, so it’s natural to want to nip it in the bud when you notice a problem. Many homeowners try their hand at exterior excavation and re-sealing the foundation walls with dampproofing, a tar coating, or similar materials.
The goal is to protect the walls and prevent water intrusion. However, if the sealant from the initial construction failed once, it’ll fail again. This allows water to infiltrate the basement through cracks or porous concrete walls, leading to damage such as flooding, mold growth, and bowing walls.
Plus, excavation is a lot of work, and you risk digging too close to your foundation and causing damage to other structures or landscaping.
2. Sealing Cracked Concrete
Your concrete will not be free of cracks forever. Eventually, your concrete will become cracked due to consistent pressure, as well as exposure to the elements. Once your concrete cracks, it is exposed to water, which makes it more susceptible to external elements. While it may seem simple to seal up a concrete crack, water will still find a way inside if you don’t seal it completely. When water gets in through voids in your concrete, the concrete begins to deteriorate.
3. Pouring Self-leveling Concrete
Self-leveling concrete is typically something that should only be used for interior flooring. While it may be simple to use, it does come with some cons. Self-leveling concrete dries very fast, and it should not be used to fix subfloors, especially if there are cracks or weak spots. If there are weak spots, and you have used self-leveling concrete, they will not be repaired and will only be made worse by the leveling of the concrete.
4. Patching Drywall Cracks and Nail Pops
Drywall cracks in walls and ceilings and nail pops sticking out of the walls are more than just cosmetic nuisances. They typically mean your foundation is settling, and walls are affected by movement.
These issues require more than just filling the cracks and holes with spackle and covering them with paint. While they temporarily improve appearance, these efforts only mask the underlying symptoms, allowing them to worsen. Over time, you will see more of the same issues if they are not properly fixed.
5. Installing Crawl Space Jacks on Your Own
Sagging floors are common when crawl space supports and floor joists succumb to moisture or termite damage, but that doesn’t mean any old item is a proper fix.
We’ve seen homeowners install everything from wooden shims and light-duty jack posts to car and bottle jacks (pictured here). They might work for the time being, but they won’t last forever; they don’t address the root cause of the problem.
Additionally, we don’t recommend venturing into the crawl space, as it can be difficult to access without the proper tools. When it comes to installing crawl space supports, consider hiring a professional.
At Groundworks, we utilize IntelliJack™ Crawl Space Supports to stabilize crawl space.
6. Using the Wrong Equipment
Special tools are often needed when it comes to repairing your home’s foundation, whether you’re repairing a wall or lifting a sunken slab. Using the wrong equipment can be detrimental to your home and cost you more to repair the damage caused by the faulty equipment.
7. Improperly Bracing Walls
The structural walls of your home are what keep your home standing tall. Over time, however, your home’s walls may falter or bow. To prevent your walls from coming down, braces should be installed in strategic places along your home’s property to support the bowing wall.
Using wooden or metal beams placed at 45-degree angles, as seen here, is not a long-term answer. These beams are not strong enough, and they are extremely space-invasive.
Attempting to brace your walls on your own can lead to catastrophic failure, costing you thousands of dollars. At Groundworks, we utilize the IntelliBrace™ Wall System to fix your cracking and bowing walls.
Top 3 Risks of DIY Foundation Repair
We discourage DIY work unless you have consulted with a foundation repair professional. If you choose to repair your faulty foundation, cracked concrete, or damp basement on your own, you should be aware of the struggles that come with it.
1. Injuries
It can be dangerous to perform repairs and construction around your home, especially when repairing your home’s foundation. In 2022, falling was the cause of more than 45,000 deaths from preventable injuries in homes. Falls from ladders or while inspecting dark areas like your crawl space or basement are extremely common during DIY home foundation repairs. For your safety, reach out to a professional before climbing that ladder.
2. Worsening the Problem
When you attempt DIY foundation repairs, you can actually end up worsening the problem. While you may have initially saved money by choosing to repair the problem yourself, you will now have to shell out thousands of dollars to fix the damage caused by making the problem worse. For example, DIY water management attempts intended to protect your foundation could lead to structural damage when the waterproofing fails.
3. Damaging Your Property
Attempting DIY home repairs can lead to you damaging your property more than if you had left the problem alone. When you change something about your home’s foundation, the rest of the home is also affected, either directly or indirectly. If your crawl space is not properly encapsulated, then excess humidity will creep into your home, causing mold and mildew to form on your household surfaces. If you brace your home’s walls incorrectly, the ceiling or floors above them can begin to crack and sag.
Ditch the DIY & Trust the Pros Instead
As you can see, DIY foundation repair is not the answer. Here’s why you should hire a professional:
Professional Foundation Repair: Expert Solutions
A reputable foundation repair company can accurately identify issues and implement effective, tailored solutions. These aren’t one-size-fits-all fixes you’d find at a hardware store.
Every home is unique, requiring customized repair approaches. At Groundworks, we might suggest one or more of these specialized solutions based on your home’s specific needs:
- Carbon fiber reinforcements
- Wall bracing systems
- Wall anchors and channel anchors
- Crawl space supports
- Helical, push, and slab piers
For a comprehensive look at our repair options, visit our Foundation Repair Solutions page.
Advantages of Choosing Professional Repair Services
Opting for professional foundation repair offers several key benefits:
- Specialized Knowledge and Tools: Experts have the expertise and equipment to precisely diagnose and address underlying problems.
- Time-Efficient Solutions: With their experience and proper tools, professionals can complete repairs swiftly and effectively.
- Enhanced Safety: Foundation work often involves heavy materials and potential safety risks. Professionals are trained and equipped to handle these hazards safely.
- Flexible Payment Options: We provide various financing plans, transparent pricing without hidden fees, and competitive interest rates to suit your budget.
- Robust Warranty Coverage: Our solutions are protected by comprehensive, long-term, transferable warranties backed by a national guarantee.
Ready to ensure your home’s safety and structural integrity? Skip the DIY approach and trust the experienced professionals at Groundworks!
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Check out our Ultimate Guide to Foundation Repair for more informative articles!
Trust Groundworks for Lasting Foundation Repair
Don’t make the same DIY mistakes as many homeowners we’ve seen. Contact a professional if you notice cracks in your walls or concrete, excess moisture, or any other signs of foundation damage.
Groundworks’ teams provide FREE inspections and no-obligation estimates. We’ve been repairing foundations across North America for many years and are confident you’ll be happy with the results.
Trust the best. Trust Groundworks.
Foundation Repair FAQs
Yes, foundation issues can significantly decrease your home’s value and make it difficult to sell. Proper repair can restore value and ensure structural integrity.
Groundworks provides professional-grade solutions tailored to your home’s specific needs, ensuring long-term effectiveness and reliability. Our team of experts uses advanced techniques and high-quality materials that DIY options cannot match. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and learn more about how we can help.
In most cases, you can stay in your home during repairs. However, there might be some noise and temporary disruption depending on the extent of the work.
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