A sinking foundation can potentially cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Once your foundation begins to sink, it can cause damage to other parts of your home and even make it unsafe for continued habitation. Fortunately, foundation contractors have many techniques at their disposal to shore up a flagging home foundation.
Surprisingly, one of these techniques is a complete replacement. If a foundation's problems are severe enough, contractors can lift and support your home's upper levels to allow the construction of a new foundation. While extreme, this process is sometimes the best approach.
Why Should You Consider a Replacement?
Foundation replacement is a last resort. The cost to replace an existing foundation will always extend into the five-figure range, and may even go higher for large homes. In addition to being costly and disruptive, the excavation requirements of a total replacement may also lead to permanent changes to the landscaping around your home.
If the damage to your existing foundation is severe enough, however, then a total replacement may be the only option. Your contractor may also prefer a replacement if your existing foundation's structural damage would make supporting it on piers difficult or impossible.
Why Shouldn't You Consider a Replacement?
Repairing your foundation is usually a more cost-effective solution than attempting to replace it. Foundation repair costs are only a fraction of replacement costs, and in most cases, they achieve similarly permanent results. More importantly, repairs can attempt to address the underlying cause of a foundation failure directly.
Foundations only rarely fail as a result of inherent defects in their design. Failures usually occur when soil conditions around the foundation change, putting unexpected stresses on the concrete. Replacing the foundation allows designers to account for these changes but does not guarantee that the soil will not shift in unforeseen ways in the future.
On the other hand, extensive foundation repairs usually involve sinking support piers deep below the foundation's problematic soil. These piers extend to bedrock or load-bearing soil strata, where they help distribute the weight of your home to more stable ground. This approach ensures that the shifting soil on your property's upper layers will not cause your foundation to continue to sink in the future.
Which Option Is Right For You?
Foundation repair and replacement are both complex procedures requiring skill and experience. If your home is suffering from foundation problems, working with a competent contractor will help you find a permanent solution and save your home. Your contractor will inspect the damage, attempt to assess the underlying causes, and ultimately recommend an option to keep your home safe and structurally sound.
Share