Common Myths About Foundation Repair

When it comes to foundation repair, misunderstandings can happen. Whether you're a homeowner noticing cracks in your walls or a prospective buyer worried about the stability of a property, understanding the facts about foundation issues is crucial. Myths can lead to unnecessary anxiety, costly mistakes, and even neglect of serious problems. In this blog, we'll debunk some of the most common myths about foundation repair, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring the safety and stability of your home. 

Some of the “Myths” we’ve run into are as follows: 

• Foundation Repair Is Just a Temporary Fix 
• Foundation Repair Is Only Necessary for Old Homes 
• New Homes don't crack and don’t require foundation repair.  
• I just need to replace my concrete 
• My Builder Needs to Take Care of it 
• Homeowner’s Insurance will cover it.  
• Oh, that’s just normal movement and normal cracks 
• Every home cracks in AZ 

Myth #1: Foundation Repair Is Just A Temporary Fix 

Ah yes, the ol’ trope that foundation repair is only temporary. Like the subpar plumber who ties a shirt around a leaking pipe and wraps it in duct tape, instead of properly installing quality materials that will last. People who think Foundation Repair is a Temporary fix have had bad experiences in the past, or know someone who did. Unfortunately, there are foundation repair companies that do shotty work that fails after a short time. There is only partial truth to this myth. A good foundation repair company will clarify if it’s a permanent solution or just a temporary fix. Yes, there are temporary fixes and the Foundation Repair Company should make that clear if it’s the case. If it’s a permanent solution, they will clarify that and they will have warranties in the event of a malfunction.  

 

Myth #2: Foundation Repair Is Only Necessary for Old Homes 

While older homes will at some point need foundation inspections and possible repair, the idea that just because it's old it needs it, is misguided. Many old historical homes have stood the test of time because of the care that went into preserving them. As the old saying goes, “Back in my day things were built to last.” And that’s true especially if you helped to build European castles or the pyramids. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s set in stone…Mind blown. I will say, however that older structures with solid foundations could be well served with upgrades/updates depending on regional conditions. Recently the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City had upgrades done to it’s foundation because of seismic activity in the Salt Lake Valley. They unearthed the foundation stones that were laid over 170 years ago and found them to be in pristine condition. Great care and attention were given by the architects to ensure the building would last.  Upgrades were added to prevent possible damage from earthquakes. This is an extreme example of care. Most architects/builders won’t go to these lengths for standard homes today. The takeaway is that homes of all ages are prone to foundation issues. It's what we do about them today that matters.  

 

Myth #3: New Homes don't crack and don’t require foundation repair.  

Going back to the example of the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City: what people don’t know about the story is when the first foundation blocks were being laid, cracks started to form. This was due to the mortar mixture and haphazard assembly of the granite blocks. 9 years of labor was removed and they started over. Taking their time and cutting blocks to precise measurements to avoid settling and cracking over time, they learned a valuable lesson. 170 years later, the results spoke for themselves. In today’s world, many contractors will try to quickly build houses and sell them to make a profit. Improper grading, among other factors, has led some new homeowners to foundation problems after only several months. Many residential developments have been reporting foundation problems. So much so that the local news stations have done investigations into the practices of these contractors. New homes are not immune from foundation problems, but they can be avoided.  

 

Myth #4: I just need to replace my concrete 

Concrete will crack. It's just a question of when. The issue people face is once it cracks, it is best to replace it. Some have become so fed up with this cycle that they turn to pavers. Replacing concrete is a very costly and intrusive endeavor. What people don’t know is in most cases concrete can be repaired at a fraction of the cost to replace it. Part of the repair should include the “why?” What that means is why the concrete cracked in the first place. Fixing the issue followed by fixing the concrete can be more economical in the long run. The reality is if you just replace the concrete without resolving the “why” then you’re doomed to repeat.  

 

Myth #5: My Builder Needs to Take Care of it 

New builds typically have a contractor warranty that will last up to a few years. Any issues that happen within that timeframe will be taken care of by the contractors who did the build. At least that's what it says on paper. The reality is contractors do everything they can to avoid foundation-related repairs during that time. It’s costly. Cosmetic touch-ups is what you’ll typically get. Then there is the question of hiring an outside foundation repair company to fix the contractor's work. Will it nullify the warranty? It’s possible. It’s important to know these questions and see if redlining is an option when purchasing a new home in a new subdivision.  

 

Myth #6: Homeowner’s Insurance will cover it.  

The short answer here is: depends on why it happened. Foundation issues typically go under whats called “Acts of God” This is why most homes can’t get flood insurance if they live in whats called a “100-year floodplain” Only in certain cases will homeowner’s insurance cover the costs of foundation repair and that is if the foundation damages as a result of an event that IS covered in homeowner’s insurance. Fire, Tornadoes, vandalism, falling objects, water damage and explosions are covered events. If the foundation is damaged due to issues that are related to said events, then the repairs are usually covered. Settling, soil movement, and wear and tear are not covered by Homeowner’s insurance. It’s important to make sure you are aware of this to avoid any costly or awkward situations.  

 

Myth #7: Oh, that’s just normal movement and normal cracks 

This phrasing is something you’ll hear from just about everyone. It’s mostly reiterated because they heard someone else say it, who heard someone else say it, and so forth. The reality about movement and cracks is it doesn’t JUST happen. Cracks occur because of weather, soil movement, freeze-thaw cycles, settlements etc. The fact that we call movement and cracks “normal”, is telling that we’ve accepted it and thus dismiss it. It’s not until the signs become so obvious, that anything is done about it. By this time the repair costs are excessive. Here is what you should take away from the idea of “Normal movement and normal cracks”: If you’re buying a home that has this description, it means foundation repair is on its way. Once the signs appear, it’s time to get it inspected. Home inspectors, as well-meaning as they are, don’t examine the foundation on the same level as a foundation repair company. Getting the home inspected and getting an idea of the costs would be the best course of action.  

 

Myth #8: every home in Arizona Cracks. 

Many homes in Arizona have stucco as part of the construction. So this myth is partially true, but should be clarified. Arizona is Dry…and Hot…and warm….and more dry. Things tend to lose integrity under that sort of condition. Then torrential rain happens and it cools down for 30 minutes from 113 to 102 before returning to 113 and 100% humidity. Soil conditions here are notorious for heaving when the rains come. Many homes in the Phoenix and Tucson area have slab-on-grade foundations and are prone to slab cracks from heaving. If people think every home in Arizona cracks, then it just means there's an overall problem that's not getting fixed. Many people think because it doesn’t rain often, gutters and drainage arent necessary. This is a sub-myth that deserves shedding some light on. This goes hand in hand with the myth that water won’t harm your foundation. When water pools around the foundation during torrential rains it attracts toward cool dry soils found under the slab. The soil heaves and then you have cracks in the foundation. Homes in Arizona that follow simple protection measures are less prone to cracking.  

 

Rain gutters, 5% grade away from the home, and proper drainage will reduce foundation problems. That is the hard truth.  Recognizing the realities of foundation issues can save time, money, and stress while protecting one of your most significant investments—your home. If you suspect any foundation problems, consulting with a professional can provide peace of mind and the necessary expertise to address any issues. Remember, being informed is the first step toward maintaining a safe and secure home.