Foundation Blog

Douglas Foundation Repair shares informational stories related to foundation problems in the Austin area.

May 3, 2024

What is Soil Swell?

soil swell

Soil swell, also known as expansive soil, is the phenomenon where certain types of soil increase in volume when they absorb water. This can cause significant problems for structures built on top of that soil, as the swelling can crack foundations, heave floors, and damage walls. .....

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April 15, 2024

Preserving Historical Home's Foundation

foundation repair for historical homes

There's no doubt about it – owning a historic home in Texas is a unique experience. It's an opportunity to connect with history while creating your own story within its walls. However, it also involves specific challenges, particularly maintaining the building's structural health. .....

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March 28, 2024

Storing Belongings During Foundation Repairs

foundation repair misconceptions

Taking special steps to safely store your belongings during foundation repairs is a wise move. After all, what’s the point of doing home maintenance if you lose a ton of money and sentimental possessions during the process? .....

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March 7, 2024

What to Do If You Notice Foundation Cracks After Moving

foundation repair misconceptions

If you notice foundation cracks after moving into your home, don't panic. You need to take immediate action to address the issue and protect your home's structural integrity! These problems can be unsettling.....

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January 22, 2024

Foundation Repairs & Remodeling

foundation repair misconceptions

When embarking on a home renovation journey, one often overlooked but important element is integrating foundation repairs into your home remodeling plan. It's not just about enhancing aesthetics; it's actually about guaranteeing the very core of your home is strong and stable.....

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December 21, 2023

Foundation Repair Myths

foundation repair misconceptions

The foundation of a home serves as its structural cornerstone, providing stability and support. Often overlooked, this integral element plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall integrity of a house. As homeowners, understanding the importance of a solid foundation is paramount.....

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December 15, 2023

How Pests Can Damage Your Texas Home's Foundation

foundation repair and home value

Pests can have a significant impact on a home's foundation, and in Austin, Texas, the climate is highly conducive to a wide range of pests. Here are some ways pests can affect a home's foundation and how you can mitigate their destruction.....

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November 24, 2023

Foundation Repair & How It Affects Home Value

foundation repair and home value

Austin, Texas is known for its beautiful landscapes, but it's also susceptible to heavy rain and occasional flooding. With Austin’s expansive clay soils, the constant wet-dry cycle can wreak havoc on basement foundations....

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November 13, 2023

Drainage is Crucial for Waterproofing Basement

foundation tips for winter

Austin, Texas is known for its beautiful landscapes, but it's also susceptible to heavy rain and occasional flooding. With Austin’s expansive clay soils, the constant wet-dry cycle can wreak havoc on basement foundations....

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October 25, 2023

Top 4 Foundation Repair Methods

foundation tips for winter

If you’re here, you likely understand that the foundation of a home is its fundamental support system, and ensuring its stability is crucial for preserving the structural integrity of the entire building.....

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September 22, 2023

How to Level a House with Foundation Problems

foundation tips for winter

Historically, winter in Austin may not always bring heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures, but that has been changing. Forecasts are anticipating another “unseasonably cold” winter ahead, with a major storm expected come January or February 2024....

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September 06, 2023

Home Foundation Maintenance Tips For Winter

foundation tips for winter

Historically, winter in Austin may not always bring heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures, but that has been changing. Forecasts are anticipating another “unseasonably cold” winter ahead, with a major storm expected come January or February 2024....

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August 02, 2023

Concrete Damage: Causes & Remedies

concrete damage causes and remedies

The toughness of concrete makes it the go-to material for foundation construction and reinforcement. However, it’s not immune to damage, especially here in Austin, where the soil and weather conditions can cause quite a bit of strain. This article explores the common causes of concrete damage in local home foundations...

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June 20, 2023

Cost of Foundation Repair in 2023

cost of foundation repair

Repairing a foundation is often a big expense – one that many homeowners haven’t budgeted for. That’s why when signs of foundation problems start to show, repairs often get put off. But the reality is that the cost of repairing a foundation can be manageable, especially when working with the right team.

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June 02, 2023

How a Home's Foundation is Built in Austin, TX

best time to repair foundation

If you’re building a new home in Austin, Texas, you’ve got a long list of factors to consider. One of the most pressing is determining how the foundation will be built. Austin’s unique soil conditions require a particular approach to ensure long-term stability.

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May 18, 2023

How to Dry Out a Wet Crawlspace

how to dry out a wet crawlspace

Whether you’re building a new foundation from scratch or you’re trying to repair an older one, you’ll have to make sure your project sticks to all applicable building codes and regulations. This can certainly make the work feel more daunting, but it serves an essential purpose.

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April 26, 2023

The Role of Building Codes in Foundations

best time to repair foundation

Whether you’re building a new foundation from scratch or you’re trying to repair an older one, you’ll have to make sure your project sticks to all applicable building codes and regulations. This can certainly make the work feel more daunting, but it serves an essential purpose.

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March 30, 2023

Things Homeowners Do to Destroy Their Foundation

best time to repair foundation

A home’s foundation is one of the most important structures to take care of. Unfortunately, many homeowners aren’t aware of this, or even how to maintain their foundation.

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March 6, 2023

When is The Best Time To Repair Your Foundation?

best time to repair foundation

If you suspect your foundation is in need of some TLC, your first impulse may be to schedule repairs right away. However, there are a few different factors that influence when is actually the best time to repair your foundation.

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December 20, 2022

Choosing the Best Flooring for Your Foundation

roots damage concrete

At first thought, flooring may seem to be a cosmetic feature of the home. But your choice of material can have a big impact on upkeep and structural integrity as well. This is especially true in respect to your foundation, which can affect how well your flooring holds up over time.

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October 20, 2022

Best Commercial Foundations for Austin, TX

roots damage concrete

Austin, Texas has a pretty unique geological makeup, and that has to be considered when building facilities meant to last. This is especially a concern for commercial properties, where optimizing building lifespans is an important part of asset management and mitigating overhead costs.

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October 06, 2022

How & Why Roots Can Damage Concrete

roots damage concrete

If you have mature trees in your yard, chances are that you’ve got issues in your foundation, driveway, or sidewalk. These often take the form of visible cracks, buckling, or lifting in the concrete slabs. It’s the tree roots that are wreaking havoc on the paving. But why exactly does this happen?

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August 19, 2022

How & Why to Regularly Check your Home's Foundation

signs of sinkhole activity

As a rather inconspicuous part of your home’s construction, your foundation can easily become one of those things you don’t think of until a problem becomes apparent. But by the time an issue with your foundation has made itself obvious, it’s usually in need of urgent repair.

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June 13, 2022

Pros & Cons of Pier & Beam

signs of sinkhole activity

Pier and beam foundations are a common sight in Austin, Texas. While they provide many benefits for our type of terrain, they also have some weaknesses that homeowners should be aware of. Let’s review the basics of this foundation type and assess the pros and cons...

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May 11, 2022

Signs of Sinkholes To Look For

signs of sinkhole activity

Sinkholes may seem like something out of a supernatural horror, but they’re worryingly common in the Texas landscape. Here in Austin, we’re located right in prime territory for sinkhole-prone geology. When most local homeowners realize this disturbing fact, they become concerned...

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March 25, 2022

Telltale Signs of Drainage Problems You Should Not Ignore

signs of foundation problems

Drainage problems are a major worry for homeowners, because they can cause an extreme amount of damage if left unchecked. The frightening thing is that often, these issues aren’t noticed until they’ve become very serious.

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March 01, 2022

Common Crawl Space Problems and Solutions

Crawl Space Problems and Solutions

Experiencing problems with your crawl space can be quite stressful. And given the unique problems that arise because of the climate here in Austin, you may have the added burden of trying to plan for complex (and expensive) solutions.

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January 03, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About Basement Waterproofing

Basement Waterproofing

Homes with basements in Austin, Texas are a rarity. That’s because basements here are commonly afflicted with moisture problems. The region’s water table is quite close to the surface of the ground, meaning that water can easily surround any submerged structure. In addition, there are many natural springs that run north to south along the centerline through the area, creating even more pockets of moisture density.

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December 09, 2021

5 Concrete Slab Foundation Tips

common pier and beam foundation problems

Discovering foundation problems is one of the worst nightmares of any homeowner. Even minor issues can cost several thousand dollars to repair, and larger complications can require a full replacement with a price tag up to six figures.

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November 02, 2021

Will Homeowners Insurance Help With Foundation Repairs?

common pier and beam foundation problems

Because the cost of repair can be so high, many homeowners are concerned with whether or not their homeowners insurance will pay for foundation problems. Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies do cover foundation repairs – but only for certain circumstances. We’ll give a quick review of what you can count on insurance to pay for, and what you may send you reaching for your own wallet.

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September 24, 2021

Common Pier & Beam Foundation Problems

common pier and beam foundation problems

Here in Austin, Texas, most of our homes and buildings are resting on expansive clay soil. That means that the soil is made up predominantly of clay, which expands and contracts in response to weather patterns. Long, dry summers make the clay dehydrate and tighten up, and the rains of winter and spring soak into the clay and increase its volume.

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August 26, 2021

How a Foundation Inspection is Conducted

concrete vs steel vs helical piers

Whether you’re buying a house or want a checkup on your current home, getting a foundation inspection is a must if you want a real picture of the building’s condition. A professional evaluation can reveal issues that threaten structural integrity and may cause further damages if left untreated.

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July 26, 2021

Foundation Piers: Concrete vs. Steel vs. Helical

concrete vs steel vs helical piers

Installing support piers beneath a home’s foundation can be one of the most effective ways to correct foundation failures and prevent future displacement. You must, however, be careful that the right type of piers are being used for your particular problem to ensure the best possible results and secure optimal longevity.

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July 01, 2021

How Texas Heat Affects Your Foundation

heat and concrete

Texas summers are notorious for their sweltering heat. As humans, we’re mobile enough to seek relief indoors. But what about our homes themselves? They’re expected to provide shelter and stand strong, no matter how harsh the conditions get outdoors.

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May 25, 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Wait To Fix Your Foundation

mudjacking

You can think of foundation troubles as the start of a domino effect. Once they appear, you can count on more and more problems popping up throughout the rest of your home - that is, if you don’t tend to the issue as soon as possible.

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April 28, 2021

What is Mudjacking?

mudjacking

Thanks to the constant expansion and contraction of Austin’s clay soils, concrete slabs tend to settle and shift. Mudjacking addresses these movements and provides a strong, supportive base for the concrete slab.

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April 13, 2021

What is Soil Stabilization?

foundation shifting

Whether you have a pre-existing home or are about to build a home, the land upon which your home is built must be suitable for supporting the structure for many decades.

Many Austin-area neighborhoods and businesses are built upon the expansive clay soils that are prevalent in large areas of Texas.

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February 23, 2021

How To Protect Your Foundation With Landscaping

foundation shifting

If you’re a homeowner in Austin, Texas, you should have an idea about how important it is to take the steps to prevent foundation damage.

There are several steps to take to protect your foundation, but the one we’re focusing on in this article is drainage – specifically, how you can improve your yard’s drainage with strategic landscaping.

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January 18, 2021

3 Common Types of Foundations in Austin, TX

foundation shifting

Most homeowners know that foundation problems are cause for concern, as they can result in damage throughout the house that will ultimately lead to hefty repair bills.

Some of the most common, though often overlooked, problems for homes in the Austin area have to do with the home’s foundation. This is problematic for homeowners who didn’t think to consider the state of the foundation prior to purchasing the home.

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December 17, 2020

Top Reasons for Foundation Failures

foundation shifting

If you live in or near Austin, Texas, you know it is a great place to live. However, the soil and weather can cause major problems for residential foundations. If these problems are not quickly and properly remedied, they can cause damage that will jeopardize your home’s value, functionality and safety.

Your home is special to you. It’s most likely the largest investment you’ll ever make and you depend on it to provide shelter and comfort to your family for the upcoming years.

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November 12, 2020

7 INDOOR SIGNS OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS

foundation shifting

Most homeowners know that foundation problems are cause for concern, as they can result in damage throughout the house that will ultimately lead to hefty repair bills.

Big problems can show very little evidence until it’s too late, so it’s important to know what to look out for so you have a better chance of discovering and repairing potential problems early on before they become too serious - and too expensive.

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November 02, 2020

The Importance of Proper Drainage to Prevent Foundation Damage

Many Austin, Texas residential communities and commercial structures are built on shifting and expansive clay soil, a unique type of clay soil that presents several challenges for building foundations. Countless Austin homes have fallen victim to the ebbs and flows of the expansive clay soils that are so prevalent in the area, leading to costly repairs for homeowners. One way to combat the expansion and contraction of expansive clay soils is to have the soil on which your home is built stabilized by a foundation repair professional.

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October 30, 2020

Soil Stabilization: Save Your Home From Foundation Failure Caused By Expansive Clay Soils

Many Austin, Texas residential communities and commercial structures are built on shifting and expansive clay soil, a unique type of clay soil that presents several challenges for building foundations. Countless Austin homes have fallen victim to the ebbs and flows of the expansive clay soils that are so prevalent in the area, leading to costly repairs for homeowners. One way to combat the expansion and contraction of expansive clay soils is to have the soil on which your home is built stabilized by a foundation repair professional.

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