What do you do when you are walking into the den of your home and you notice that the closet door is slightly off of it hinges, and the frame is just a bit crooked. You smell a rat, and you walk outside, only to find a large crack in the foundation just below your den.

 

Most likely, you are the victim of a shifting foundation of your home, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as underground rivers, contraction and expansion of the soil, long dry spells, long wet spells, and a number of other occurrences.

 

So, you begin to search the internet for companies who claim to be able to tackle such events. Most homeowners are pretty careful when it comes to preparation of their home’s major systems such as the heating and cooling systems, the ventilation system, as well as winterizing storm windows and the like, to prepare for changing seasons.

 

Most of us simply don’t come into contact with a foundation shift often enough to even know that we should be concerned about it. In most cases, you can’t do much about it until it happens anyway.

 

One idea that has proven valuable when searching for a qualified company to help you when you have a foundation shift, is to look on a respected consumer rating agency who is known for rating construction and similar services.

 

You should also seek a foundation company that is licensed and insured, so that when and if any construction work begins, you will be fully protected in case any of their workers are injured.

 

And speaking of insurance, check with your own insurance agent, as you will be wanting to find out just how your homeowners and property insurance will or will not cover the incident.

 

Inquire as to whether or not the company has a licensed engineer who will be working on the job, starting from the initial inspection, all the way through the process of shoring up your home. Many municipalities now require this, but you want to be sure, nonetheless.

 

When the inspectors arrive and look at the damage and possibly caused it, be sure that you get a full and detailed explanation of what has occurred, as well as the options that are available to correct the matter. There will probably be terminology used that you are not familiar with, so ask for an explanation about that too.

 

You should also inquire about any warranties, and how long they will last. You will also want to know if the warranty will be transferred to a new owner, should you decide at a later date to sell your home.

 

Unless the ground underneath your home is totally going bad, there should be a reasonable expectation that the situation can be remedied through various proven means of shoring up the ground beneath your foundation.

 

Most foundations can be re-supported with concrete slabs, steel pillars, and similar means that will keep your foundation steady and intact for years to come.

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