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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is my foundation settling?
A. The cause is most likely “unsuitable soils”, which could be poorly placed fill, organic soil (peat), and possibly deleterious matter such as tree stumps.
Q. Will my foundation stop settling on its own?
A. If the foundation is bearing on unsuitable soils, then most likely not. It will most likely get worse.
Q. How long will the repairs take?
A. Typical projects take from a few days to a couple weeks.
Q. What types of foundations can Engineered Foundation Technologies repair?
A. We have the technologies to work with cracked concrete foundations, masonry block foundations, and field stone foundations as well.
Q. What is the cost for Engineered Foundation Technologies to look at my foundation problem?
A. We do not charge for our preliminary assessment of the problem.
Q. What is the first step in repairing a settling foundation?
A. Engineered Foundation Technologies strongly advises our clients to perform a soil investigation to determine a couple unknowns: the nature and depth of the poor soils and the nature of the suitable load bearing soils below. This information will greatly help us tailor the appropriate foundation repair technology for your problem.
Q. My foundation is cracked in several areas. What’s happening?
A. There are several causes of foundation cracks, such as concrete shrinkage, foundation settlement, and inward bowing (for basement walls).
Q. Will filling the foundation cracks repair a settling foundation?
A. Absolutely not. The cause of the settlement is that the foundation sits on poor soils. The foundation crack is a result of differential settlement. We advise all our clients to have the cracks professionally repaired after our work is complete.
Q. Are the foundation repairs permanent?
A. In most cases, the foundation repairs are permanent. Engineered Foundation Technologies will guaranty the work as long as a soil investigation has been performed. The information from the soil testing will enable an engineered solution to the settling problem.
Q. How will a settled foundation affect my property value?
A. From our experience, homes for sale with a foundation problem are devalued more than the cost of the actual repair. Many prospective buyers shy away from those properties with damaged foundations.
Q. Will insurance cover the costs of the foundation problem?
A. Every policy is different and we advise our clients to check with their respective agent.
Q. What about permits?
A. Engineered Foundation Technologies is able to pull permits for all of our work.
Q. What about insurance?
A. Engineered Foundation Technologies is fully insured for this line of work. Please take note that other companies may be insured, but not for performing foundation repair.
Q. Can I live at home during the repairs?
A. Yes, you can stay in your home during our work.
Q. What will my foundation look like after the work is complete?
A. That depends on the project conditions. We typically have to excavate along the foundation to perform the work and utilize a mini-excavator for this. Any landscaping around the work area will be greatly impacted. However, most of the structural work we do is not visible after we are done.
Q. How much can Engineered Foundation Technologies lift my foundation?
A. That depends on the technology that is utilized. In some cases we cannot lift the foundation, and in some others we can lift over five inches.
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