A home is the largest investment many people make. When there are signs of trouble in that investment, such as a crack across bricks or water in a home's crawl space, it's natural to be worried – but you may not need to be.
At Alpha Foundation Services, we believe in transparency. We've compiled this guide based on a list of questions we get most often from callers, friends, and first-time clients who have questions about their home's foundation in the Tyler, TX area.
If you don't see your question on this page or want more detailed answers to anything you see, reach out to our team. We're happy to help.
A cracked foundation does not have to be a deal-breaker, but it should be a negotiation point. You need to know the true cost of the repair before you sign the papers. We often work with potential buyers to inspect homes before purchase. If the foundation issues are solvable, you can proceed with the purchase knowing exactly what it will take to make the home solid again.
Sealing a crack is like putting a bandage on a broken bone. It covers the wound but does not heal the injury. If the foundation crack is due to your home settling in the soil, a seal won't stop the movement. We recommend a structural repair to stop the movement first. Once the foundation is stable and level, the cosmetic cracks can be sealed and painted knowing they won't immediately return.
Not every crack in the wall means catastrophe, but every crack tells a story about the movement of your home. In East Texas, our shifting clay soil often causes minor settling, which may not be an issue. However, you should be concerned if you see "stair-step" cracks in brickwork, horizontal cracks in a foundation beam, or gaps where the walls meet the ceiling. These suggest your home is no longer supported evenly. If you also notice doors that refuse to close or windows that stick, the structural integrity of the building is likely compromised. A free inspection is the only way to know for sure.
Yes, they can be fixed, and the approach makes all the difference. To truly fix a foundation crack, you must stabilize the structure beneath it. At Alpha Foundation Services, we use proven methods to lift and level the house. By installing piers or utilizing concrete leveling, we address the shifting ground that caused the problem in the first place so that you can have a repair you'll be sure will last.
Just as there is a wide variety in home prices in East Texas, the cost for repairing the foundations of those homes equally varies. However, our estimates are always free, so you'll never need to guess what the final bill will be when you work with our team.
During an estimate, we will inspect your property, explain exactly what is needed, and provide a quote at no charge. We never ask for payment until you've agreed to the price and until we've started work.
We offer a two-year warranty because we trust our craftsmanship. Our owner, Manny, inspects every job personally.
In an industry where some operators disappear after the check clears, we'll still be here, ready to help. We want you to feel secure knowing that the work we do today will hold up tomorrow.
We are proud to offer discounts to all U.S. military veterans and first responders. It's a very small way we can serve the people who serve us.
If you're an active or former member of any branch of the military, or a first responder, contact us to learn more.
In landscapes with slopes, gravity and water constantly work to pull soil downhill. A retaining wall holds that soil back, creating usable flat land and preventing erosion.
Retaining walls can protect your foundation by directing water runoff away from your home. Without one, washing soil can expose your foundation or lead to water pooling against the slab of your home or building.
Calculating the materials for a retaining wall involves accounting for the buried course of blocks that anchors the wall and the specific type of block being used.
A properly built retaining wall requires backfill gravel and drainage pipes to prevent water pressure from destroying the wall. We recommend letting a professional handle the calculation and construction to ensure the wall stands the test of time.
Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing the area under your home to separate it from the damp earth. We install a heavy-duty moisture barrier that covers the ground and walls, effectively turning a humidity hotspot into a clean, dry buffer zone.
This process is critical in our area, where humidity and groundwater can pool during the increase of thunderstorms we see in the spring and fall. Our foundation work in Tyler, TX, and across East Texas prevents moisture from rotting your floor joists and compromising your piers.
For many homeowners, the answer is an easy yes. An unsealed crawl space is a breeding ground for mold, wood rot, and pests. It also allows cold air to seep into your home during winter.
By encapsulating the space, you protect the structural wood of your pier and beam foundation from rotting. Additionally, many customers see lower energy bills and improved indoor air quality after the work is done.
