What
You Should Know About Foundation Repair Warranties
Conventional Foundation
Repair -
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this
includes screw jacking, masonry piers, slab jacking, pressure
grouting, mud jacking, shimming or wedging, and foundation
repair types other than underpinning (or foundation piering)
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This type
of repair method is virtually impossible to guarantee. These are
often considered "band aid" type repairs. The
repair is necessary because of the unstable soil base the home
rests on. However, if the weight of the structure is not
transferred from the existing soil base to a deeper, load bearing
strata, the structure will continue to experience movement. If
a warranty is offered for conventional foundation repair, be aware
of its limits and the amount of time it may cover.
Deep Driven Foundation
Piering -
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Companies
that use a variation of the Ram Jack repair process.
The process involves driving steel piers along the area
of settlement and transferring the weight (or load) of the
structure to the foundation bracket and pier |
The Deep
Driven Piering method should be considered permanent, if performed
properly. It is important that you study the warranties
these companies offer. Just because a company offers a warranty,
you don't ever want to use it. Most companies will not pay
for the new damage to your home such as cracks in the sheetrock
and mortar joints. The company may adjust the piers that
have settled because of their poor installation, but you are left
with the expense of making repairs to what was supposed to be
eliminated in the first place. You want a company with few
or no warranty claims. In other words, a company that knows
what they are doing and has the experience to do it right the
first time.
When reviewing Deep Driven
Foundation Piering warranties, look for these details:
Warranty Claims
- Even though a company may offer a warranty, you want a company
that has had few warranty claims. Preferably none at all.
Length of the Warranty
- Is it Lifetime? Is there a limit to the length of time
of the warranty? Does the coverage diminish as the warranty
ages?
Acceptable
Levels of Movement - You want a warranty that does
not discount movement. Some warranties will allow "Acceptable
Levels of Movement". This may be "acceptable"
to the company issuing the warranty, but should not be "acceptable"
for you. You want a warranty that covers ANY
downward movement.
Extended Warranties
- Never purchase an "Extend Warranty".
If a company cannot stand behind their work, why should you
pay them to?
Transfer Clause
- Is the Warranty Transferable? If you intend to sell
your home, a transferable warranty will make selling your home
much easier!
