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Foundation work recommendations?!
#6844681
08/04/17 01:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,321
Couzin
OP
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OP
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Posts: 1,321 |
Any recommendations for slab foundation repair company out my way (Terrell)? Price, skills, reputation, things that matter?
Only at the end do you realize the power of the Dark Side.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6844709
08/04/17 02:20 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336
phathawg
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336 |
Find a company that drills and pours bellbottom piers.
There's only 2 seasons in a year. Deer season and getting ready for deer season.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6844846
08/04/17 04:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,440
Shotgun Willie
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Beware of companies that send their own plumber out for the after lift inspection. I used Structured foundation, and, while they did a good job I wouldn't recommend them. They'll tell you up front that the lift may cause pipes under the ground to separate. Their plumber came out after the lift, confirmed that a pipe "broke", asked me what my deductible was, and magically came in just under said deductible for the repair. I'm convinced they do so in order to keep the insurance company from coming out to do their own inspection and finding out they're full of it.
My dad had his done at the same time. Same thing, the plumber "found" a problem and came in just under the deductible to fix it. My dad called his own plumber who came out, did his own leak down test, and straight out called their plumber a liar. My dad called Structured, told them he wasn't paying for their BS plumber, and they told him they wouldn't warranty it if he didn't. Once they found out he was willing to dispute them in court, they realized it wasn't worth whatever spiff the plumber was throwing them.
So yeah, have an independent plumber come out after to verify what needs or doesn't need done.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Shotgun Willie]
#6844906
08/04/17 11:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,517
SnakeWrangler
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,517 |
Beware of companies that send their own plumber out for the after lift inspection. I used Structured foundation, and, while they did a good job I wouldn't recommend them. They'll tell you up front that the lift may cause pipes under the ground to separate. Their plumber came out after the lift, confirmed that a pipe "broke", asked me what my deductible was, and magically came in just under said deductible for the repair. I'm convinced they do so in order to keep the insurance company from coming out to do their own inspection and finding out they're full of it.
My dad had his done at the same time. Same thing, the plumber "found" a problem and came in just under the deductible to fix it. My dad called his own plumber who came out, did his own leak down test, and straight out called their plumber a liar. My dad called Structured, told them he wasn't paying for their BS plumber, and they told him they wouldn't warranty it if he didn't. Once they found out he was willing to dispute them in court, they realized it wasn't worth whatever spiff the plumber was throwing them.
So yeah, have an independent plumber come out after to verify what needs or doesn't need done. Good to know.......
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6845074
08/04/17 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 723
Sidebuster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 723 |
Don't have a recommendation but do not use advance foundation repair. What I did was hire a structural engineer and made Advance (had to use due to warranty work) fix piers according to engineer plan. The engineer cost me $400. I will never have foundation work done again without a engineer looking at it first.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6845686
08/04/17 11:13 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696
pug
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696 |
We have used Olsham three times in the past 35 years (two different homes) and lived to regret it every time. They are the biggest scam artist foundation repair / con men in the country. Don't get sucked in by their marketing gimmicks and super-star promoters (who are only in it for the money). And most "foundation repair" franchises (the chains like Olscam) use day labor that will "jack up" your slab and do more harm to your home than repair to your foundation. And insurance won't help you with any of it. And Sidebuster is spot on -- hire your own structural engineer BEFORE you call anyone else. IF an independent structural engineer recommends repair (and he CANNOT by law in TX recommend a company -- so if he does he is a thief and a liar) do your homework (BBB online, recommendations from neighbors who have had successful repairs, etc.). Find a local, reputable company that knows the soil in your area, drills and pours pier (who doesn't "jack up" the slab and smash in blocks that simply sink until the next repair), and warranties their work in writing.
"My grandfather told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He also told me to try to be in the first group since there was much less competition."
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6846271
08/05/17 03:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,321
Couzin
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OP
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Good info. I am so buggered...
Only at the end do you realize the power of the Dark Side.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6846362
08/05/17 05:08 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696
pug
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696 |
Two types of foundations in North Texas . . . those that have had some kind of group movement and repair, and those that will.
"My grandfather told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He also told me to try to be in the first group since there was much less competition."
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6847200
08/06/17 03:28 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696
pug
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,696 |
^ ^ ^ | | | That should read "ground" and not "group" -- stupid auto smell correction!
"My grandfather told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He also told me to try to be in the first group since there was much less competition."
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6850168
08/09/17 03:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,234
Chickenman
Extremely Right Wing
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Extremely Right Wing
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,234 |
My experience has been:
Foundation company = tells you that you need piers
Structural Engineer = tells you if you need piers
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6851707
08/10/17 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,427
cannon88
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,427 |
Years ago when we had it done at our old house, we had 3 different companies come out and give us free quotes and pier recommendations (they give you a location survey of where the piers are needed). Then we hired an independent structural engineer to come over and give us an evaluation. We took his evaluation and went with the company that was closest to his recommendations, including number of piers and pier locations. Then we told the foundation company to put the piers in according to the engineers drawing.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6852671
08/11/17 01:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,321
Couzin
OP
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Cannon 88 - great suggestion. I am going to follow your lead - thanks!
Only at the end do you realize the power of the Dark Side.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6852868
08/11/17 03:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030
d.g.ruff
THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 8,030 |
Lots of good info in here, that is badly needed too. How do I go about finding one of these structural engineers? Just google that for my area? And when is the leak test done...before, after, or both? I've been thinking about this for some time and have a few cracks in the house. On a sloping hill with bad drainage. Would a foundation repair company do that too, or a totally different landscape company. Do I need an engineer for the drainage issues? Also have dirt building up on one part of the house. I hope I'm not hijacking your thread Cuz.
Mmmm Hmmm
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6852902
08/11/17 04:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659
Nitro27
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659 |
sorry to hear about that couzin.Get ready for sticker shock $$$$$. We went through this last year. We liked Structured but didn't use them. our house was pier and beam. Think they wanted 30K to fix ours.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6853277
08/11/17 10:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336
phathawg
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336 |
Google TBPE and they have a directory. Have the engineer look at your drainage as well. Don't let anyone talk you into French drains. Use surface drains for surface water. French drains are for underground water.
There's only 2 seasons in a year. Deer season and getting ready for deer season.
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: phathawg]
#6853692
08/12/17 12:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030
d.g.ruff
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030 |
Google TBPE and they have a directory. Have the engineer look at your drainage as well. Don't let anyone talk you into French drains. Use surface drains for surface water. French drains are for underground water. Good info...I didn't know that...thanks
Mmmm Hmmm
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: d.g.ruff]
#6859675
08/17/17 04:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21,923
Mike W
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21,923 |
Google TBPE and they have a directory. Have the engineer look at your drainage as well. Don't let anyone talk you into French drains. Use surface drains for surface water. French drains are for underground water. Good info...I didn't know that...thanks That is because it's false. French drains are used to redirect surface water, as well as channeling ground water.
This cannot be fixed at the voting booth.. Wake Up You Morons!
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Re: Foundation work recommendations?!
[Re: Couzin]
#6860102
08/18/17 01:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336
phathawg
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 336 |
Not false. French drains are slow. When water piles up fast around your house, you want to get rid it it fast. Water has to filter down to the French drain before it can run down the drain. Surface drains are much faster and easier to maintain.
There's only 2 seasons in a year. Deer season and getting ready for deer season.
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