foundation repair Charlotte NC Archives

Why Basement and Attic Maintenance can Save You Thousands in Home Repair Costs

When you own a home in Charlotte, NC, you take pride in keeping it in good condition and do as much regular maintenance as you can. You’ll happily mow your lawn, tend to your garden, and even make sure that you get up on the roof every now and then to clean your gutters and look for missing shingles. However, you can be the handiest and most careful homeowner on your block and you’ll still need some repairs from time to time. The good news is that you don’t have to drain your bank account every time you need something fixed.

At POWER Lift Foundation Repair, we aren’t just experts in foundation repair in Charlotte, NC; we also have a wealth of knowledge on related home maintenance and repair, and can help you avoid expensive and time-consuming problems. Look out for these signs of trouble, take the necessary actions, and you won’t have to worry about home repair issues for a long time.

Check the basement walls

When was the last time you paid attention to the walls in your basement? You probably haven’t thought about them in a long time, but if you want to avoid costly water, mold, and foundation damage, you’ll want to check them out regularly. If you notice signs of flaking or peeling paint, you could have water or moisture seeping into the walls. Adding some well-compacted earth around the foundation of your home can help lessen the chances of water creeping in. You could also extend your home’s downspouts. This would require a good weekend’s worth of work and possibly a couple hundred dollars, but it could help save you thousands in repairs.

Check for pests in the attic

Insects and rodents are pretty common in homes in the south, but noticing a spider or a few ants in the kitchen isn’t cause for alarm. If, on the other hand, you notice a lot of mice or bugs in your attic, there could be something more serious happening to your roof. Bugs and rodents can fit into some surprisingly small places, and a few missing shingles or gaps in caulking could be giving pests a passage into your home. Small roofing problems won’t just allow pests to get in – it will also let in air and moisture, and require a lot of costly home repairs. Don’t just hire an exterminator to clean out your attic; get a professional to check out your roof!

What do you do to keep your home in good shape? If you suspect that the issues in your basement are foundation related, contact us at POWER Lift Foundation Repair today for an estimate!

Guide to Commercial Foundation Repair in Charlotte North Carolina

Charlotte North Carolina Foundation Repair

Charlotte, NC has a growing economy and is a hub for local and regional businesses. Unfortunately, the Charlotte area also has soft soil which can mean foundation problems—and these problems can affect commercial buildings just as easily as homes. Often, business owners will overlook the early signs of foundation settling or put off foundation repair as long as they can. But sooner or later you will need to repair your building or risk serious damage. Here is your complete guide to commercial foundation repair.

Does It Matter?

The first question many business owners ask themselves when looking at signs of a potential foundation issue is, how big a deal is this? The answer is that it can be a very big deal. Whether you use your commercial space for your own business or lease it out to commercial tenants, it is one of the biggest investments you’ve made. Allowing the foundation to settle will first result in cosmetic blemishes, then in annoyances like uneven floors and doors that don’t close, and potentially in water leakage or even structural damage. It’s important to fix it quickly.

How Do I Fix It?

The good news is that when you take appropriate action to fix your foundation it will be a long-term fix and prevent the settling from recurring. The way this is done is by “jacking up” or raising the foundation. Once it is raised, piers can be driven into the ground below it and the building can then rest stably on these piers. The end result is a building that looks better and can resist settling.

Note that this is not a DIY job. While homeowners sometimes attempt their own foundation repair, the results without professional help are mixed—and commercial structures tend to be much larger and heavier. Call in a commercial foundation repair expert to do the job.

Which Method Is Best?

You will generally see three methods of foundation repair advertised: concrete blocks, cable-linked blocks, and steel piers. Although steel piers cost more, this is the method you want to choose. Only steel piers are likely to reach down to solid bedrock which means they are the only method that will stop the settling for good.

Additionally, look for a foundation repair company in North Carolina that has experience with large commercial buildings in Charlotte. Ideally they use a computerized hydraulic lifting system that can manage a large structure with a high number of piers.

Are you considering foundation repair for your commercial space in North Carolina?