Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: house leveling

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Foundations and Basements
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 05 Sep 2001
Time: 01:32 PM

Comments

Depending on the extent of the settlement, a range of options are available, each with different costs. If your house is on a "raised foundation" and you are experiencing internal settlement, some minor jacking and shimming might be all that's required to shore it up.

However, if your exterior footings are settling extensively, you may have a more serious problem requiring a foundation expert or engineer. Many parts of the country, including areas near water and river beds, have unstable soil that settles. Since your home is worth about $80,000, this limits how much it makes sense spending to fix your problem. However, if you intend to live on this property for the rest of your life, as you say, then spending $10-15,000 might be worthwhile to fix it up.

However, if the settlement is extensive and depending on the type of foundation, repairs could be costly. We had a similar situation on our home several years ago and decided it would be better to build a new foundation altogether.

Builders Websource

Article Tools

Builders Websource® is a corporate member of ASTM International—a non-profit engineering body dedicated in part to the standardization of building materials specifications, products, systems, and test methods for improved health, safety, and reliability of residential and commercial structures.

Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Builders Websource®, an InBuild™ company. All rights reserved.