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Foundation repairs can run in the hundreds of dollars or tens of thousands of dollars. There is no one answer to the question of how much it will cost to have the foundation of your home fixed as too many variables come into play.

For example, poor soil strength and poor grading could affect the price and the same is true when drainage issues are present. However, there are certain things a homeowner should know before having a repair of this type carried out.

Cracks
Among the services available at helitechonline.com is foundation crack repair. While a small crack may be fixed by the homeowner, larger cracks require a flexible material to be injected into the crack, one that can move with the foundation.

The biggest issue is determining what led to the crack in the first place. If this is not determined, the problem will occur again and lead to the need for more repairs. This doesn’t take into account any water that may be seeping into the foundation and bringing about additional problems.

Leaks
A leak in the foundation can never be ignored. The leak must be sealed and waterproofed to prevent other issues. In addition, steps need to be taken to ensure the leak doesn’t occur again.

This includes diverting gutter water away from the foundation and sloping soil so any water doesn’t sit at the base of the walls. Water pressure can erode the foundation or lead to the walls cracking. If flooding is an issue where you live, consider installing a sump pump to prevent water from entering the foundation and sitting.

Sinking Foundations
A sinking foundation typically requires the installation of concrete piers that are used to lift the house to the correct level.

An experienced contractor carries out tests to determine which repair method should be used, and a structural engineer will need to be called in to assist with this. This adds to the cost. Once the repair method has been determined, an estimate for the repairs may be provided.

Bowed Walls
Bowed walls can be fixed in a variety of ways. The repair method depends on the extent of the bowing, as walls that have bowed less than two
inches may be repaired with the help of carbon fiber strips.

If the wall has moved more than this, steel strips will be required. Wall anchors may also be suggested once the contractor has determined the problem. When having the repair carried out, ask why a certain repair method  is being suggested and the benefits of that method over the others.

Prevention
When having the foundation repaired, make certain steps are carried out to ensure the problem doesn’t recur. The settling of a foundation cannot typically be prevented, but water damage to the foundation can.

Be sure to speak with the contractor to determine which steps will be of help in preventing future problems . He or she should be able to make recommendations and possibly carry out the necessary steps as part of the repair.

The one thing every homeowner should remember is correcting the problem at an early stage costs less than letting the problem become
widespread.

Call a foundation repair specialist as soon as you suspect there is a problem with the home. The sooner you do so, the sooner you
can have peace of mind knowing your home is protected and your family is not at risk.