ALL ABOUT HFX FOUNDATION SOLUTIONS

Our Background

HFX Foundation Solutions is a family partnership with 13 years of combined experience in North Texas.  Our mission is to provide homeowners, real estate agents and investors with impeccable repair solutions for their property using only the highest grade materials in the industry.

​

Our knowledgeable and experienced staff will talk you through every step of the repair process, from our initial free inspection through the final post repair clean up.  Our goal is simple - to complete your foundation repair as timely and smoothly as possible while ensuring superior service and full customer satisfaction! At HFX, our repair crews are dedicated and take immense pride in each and every repair with 20+ years experience.

Thank you for trusting your property to HFX Foundation Solutions!

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

What We Provide

1. Steel piers

The introduction of steel piers revolutionized the foundation repair process. The steel piers take less time and disturb less landscape than traditional concrete piers. Steel piers have progressed and have become more technical and data-driven to install.

2. Helical piers

Helical piers work well for exterior foundation repair and interior slab repairs. Helical piers are useful for both new construction and as a repair method. Light-loaded areas, such as porch columns or structures with vinyl siding, are great matches for helical piers. Helical piers are the most versatile and underused pier in the market.

3. Concrete pier foundation repair

Foundation companies typically use poured-in-place concrete piers in the preconstruction phase of structures. However, they can also adapt for use in repairs. This was the preferred method of repair prior to invention of the hydraulic driven steel pier.

Concrete piers offer a very permanent way to repair a foundation, but there are some drawbacks. The cost and difficulty of getting drilling rigs into residential yards are less than ideal, and foundation repair contractors must dig a lot of dirt from the holes for the piers, making cleanup very difficult. Due to these factors, concrete piers are the most expensive mode of foundation repair.

​

4. High-density polyurethane foam

Slab repair is simplified with high-density polyurethane foam. Foundation repair technicians inject the foam in a checkerboard grid that’s approximately 6 foot on center in the affected area.

High-density polyurethane has become a real marketplace-driven product because of the price and speed of repair it offers. However, consumers must remain cautious if HVAC ducts run through the floor since the foam could infiltrate and clog them. It’s also necessary to perform plumbing tests prior to the foam injection to ensure there are no leaks in the supply or drain lines.

​

5. Segmented piers

This is a relatively new product in the industry. Segmented piers are a price-driven foundation repair product, and their sole merit is a low price.

6. Spot piers

Spot piers are shallow, hand-dug piers that are filled with concrete. They provide a great option for repairing foundations in light-loaded areas, such as porches

​

Is the concrete beneath your home in distress? Foundation problems can lead to major structural damage within your home. Whether you’re a homeowner or a prospective buyer, foundation issues are scary and you likely have a lot of questions.

​

Two of the main questions are:

• How much do repairs cost?

• Will my insurance cover foundation damage?

​

Luckily, there are ways to repair a concrete foundation without having to tear it out and start from scratch.

​

If you suspect trouble, do the following:

​

1. Examine the foundation yourself for obvious issues

2. Have a foundation repair expert do a professional foundation inspection

3. Consult with a structural engineer if necessary

For the vast majority of issues, water is the primary culprit. Variations in moisture cause components of the soil to swell or shrink, leading to movement beneath your foundation.

​

Your property may be more susceptible to foundation damage if:

• It was built on expansive clay

• It was built on improperly compacted fill soils

• The area around the foundation has poor drainage

• You live in an area with extreme seasonal changes

• You experienced a plumbing leak below your home

• Tree roots are growing too close to your home

• An earthquake, flood or drought compromised the structure

​

Those soils highest in clay content are generally more susceptible while those lowest in clay content are the least affected. In some areas the movement is insignificant; in others, it is quite pronounced.

​

When unstable soils are used as a base, the movement is transferred to the foundation. Since soil movement is rarely uniform, the foundation is subjected to a differential or upheaval. The problem shows up in both slab, and pier and beam type foundations.

​

If all the soil beneath a foundation swells uniformly, there usually is no problem. Issues occur, however, when only part of the home settles. Then, the differential movement causes cracks or other damages.

Issues resulting from foundation settlement:

• Damage to the structure

• Loss of real estate value

• Tripping hazards

• Unsightly cracks

• Equipment malfunctions

​

Whatever the cause, settlement can destroy the value of your home and even render it unsafe. If you see signs of failure, don't delay in getting the problem solved. The longer you wait, the more your foundation will sink, causing further costly damage.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS?

Are you wondering if you have foundation issues? All foundations will settle with time, but problems arise when this settlement is uneven or extreme.

​

Here are the common signs of foundation stress

​

Exterior Warning Signs

• Wall rotation

• Separation around garage door, windows and/or walls

• Cracked bricks

• Broken and/or cracked foundation

• Displaced moldings

​

Interior Warning Signs

• Misaligned doors and windows

• Cracked Sheetrock

• Cracks in floor

• Uneven floors

​

Bulging floors, cracked walls, and doors that won't close are all signs of foundation distress. Sixty percent of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from foundation distress. The trouble occurs when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, causing cracks and other damage.

​

This differential movement is largely caused by differences in soil moisture. Loss or gain of soil moisture can cause serious shrinkage or swelling.

​

If the frame of a house does not begin to distort until after three or more years of satisfactory performance, it is doubtful that the distortion is caused by full-depth foundation settlement, which is always evidenced by matching cracks. Cracks occur at each side of a portion of the foundation wall that is undergoing downward movement caused by soil bearing failure.

​

Settlement cracks are nearly always vertical, and they should not be confused with cracks that occur when a wall is subjected to lateral movement from soil pressure.

​

FOUNDATION CRACKS

Hairline cracks are a common result of normal foundation settlement. However, you should be concerned if large cracks appear suddenly. If a crack is wider than an eighth of an inch you could have a possible foundation issue.

​

According to a Realtor.com article about foundation problems:

​

“Horizontal or jagged 45-degree cracks are the most serious and usually indicate you will need professional help.”

If unsure, monitor the cracks in your foundation, if they continue to expand, call a foundation company out to inspect the cracking.

​

WHAT REGIONS ARE MOST AFFECTED BY FOUNDATION FAILURE?

The soil type in certain areas of the country leads to a higher rate of foundation trouble. Areas with high clay content and coastal areas with lots of sand tend to see the most damage. Homes in these regions are at greater risk for foundation damage.

​

Foundation Issues in Texas

The following areas of Texas have expansive clay soil, which can cause foundation movement:

• Dallas

• Fort Worth

• Houston

• Corpus Christi

• Austin

• San Antonio

​

The soil conditions in Texas respond to rain and drought like a sponge. This expansion and contraction with changes in moisture puts stress on your foundation.

​

Foundation problems are also prevalent in areas prone to flooding, as was seen with Hurricane Harvey in 2017. If you live in Houston, you may want to elevate your house above the floodplain. FEMA offers this guide about the house elevation process.

​

Additional factors that contribute to foundation failure in Texas include poor drainage around homes and the corrosion of cast iron plumbing or failure of cedar piers beneath older homes.

​

For more information:

​

An Expert’s Guide to Spotting Home Foundation Issues in Texas

Houston Foundation Issues

Dallas Foundation Issues

​

​

​

​

IS CLAY THE ONLY TYPE OF SOIL THAT CAUSES FOUNDATION TROUBLE?

​

Clay isn’t the only type of soil that negatively impacts foundations. The second biggest enemy to concrete house foundations is sand. While sand does not expand and contract like clay soils, it can be washed away, creating gaps beneath a foundation. Peat is another type of soil that shrinks and expands much like clay.

Learn more about expansive soils.

​

Loam and rock are the best soils for providing foundation support. They compact well and don’t move or swell with moisture changes.

​

SHOULD I BUY A HOUSE WITH FOUNDATION ISSUES?

Many home buyers run for the hills when they see a home with foundation issues. The fear is that it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the home by raising and sufficiently supporting its foundation.

​

If you’re shopping for a home, keep an eye out for the common signs of foundation issues. Also, make sure to have a home inspection. However, sometimes foundation trouble is overlooked during this step.

​

To be sure that the home you wish to purchase is structurally sound, have it evaluated by a foundation contractor or an engineer. They will also be able to give you an idea of how much the repair work will cost, so that you can make an offer with that in mind.

​

In some cases, you may be able to get a good deal on a home with foundation issues. But make sure you know what you are getting into. Some foundation problems can be corrected easily and affordably, while others may require a completely new foundation and up to $100,000. Don’t go with what a real estate agent says, only a foundation expert can help you determine what to expect.

​

SHOULD I FIX MY FOUNDATION BEFORE SELLING MY HOME?

If you want to get top dollar for your home, it should be in near perfect condition. This includes fixing foundation issues if you can afford it. 

​

In some cases you may be able to sell your home as is. It isn’t uncommon for homes with foundation trouble to be bought by investors. Also, if you have the advantage of a seller’s market, some buyers are willing to take on repairs themselves.

​

​

​

CONCRETE FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS

​

Past techniques for repair of sunken concrete has varied. Wood, concrete, cement and steel have been poured, pushed, turned or somehow forced into the ground trying to salvage these foundations and slabs, while early on, anyone and everyone, trained or untrained, became "experts" at this type of repair. Often as not, the repairs proved to be futile.

​

Other, more successful, methods of remediation involve extensive disruption of the family or business using the building. Usually, it is desirable that settlement of building slabs and monolithic foundations in residential areas be corrected without having to move all furniture, appliances, and possibly the whole family, or in commercial areas, without disrupting business.

​

However, with today’s technology and trained experts, there are a number of very successful solutions to the problem of sunken concrete that involve little or no disruption to normal living or business routine.

​

The two most common methods of this type of repair are slabjacking and hydraulic jacking (also known as piering).

​

In a slabjacking operation, grout is pumped beneath a slab or beam to produce a lifting force that restores the member to its original elevation.

​

In piering, steel posts are driven through unstable soil and hydraulic jacks are used to raise or stabilize concrete slabs affected by changes in the underlying soil. The repair method used depends on the type of distress being treated.

​

Choosing the correct method for repairs

Before deciding on a repair method, you must determine what is causing the distress. Examine moldings and trim boards, mortar joints in brick veneer, and windows in low areas for clues. Also take note of recent weather. Unusually dry or wet weather can cause movement in the underlying soil.

​

The most commonly used method of correcting smaller slabs of sunken concrete, such as residential slabs, driveways, sidewalks, swimming pool decks, etc. is slabjacking.

​

Slabjacking is done by pumping a cement grout through small, strategically-located holes in the concrete slab. Once in place, the grout solidifies into a dense concrete mass and provides a competent bearing for the concrete slab.

​

If a soil-cement-lime grout is used, the lime content of the slurry will impart the benefits of lime stabilization to the base or sub-base. This combined treatment not only restores the slab to proper grade but also stabilizes the sub-soil to prevent re-occurrence of the problem.

​

For larger problems, especially those found in house and commercial building foundation shifting, piering is typically used to lift and stabilize the foundation.

​

Piering involves the use of strategically placed mechanical jacks to lift the settled beam to grade. The beam must be raised carefully to avoid further or unnecessary damage. Once raised, the beam is held to elevation by a specially designed spread footing and pier.

​

The footing is set deep enough so that it will be independent of variations in soil moisture. It is also designed to adequately distribute the load without creating unnecessary bulk or mass. The pier is tied into the footing with steel and supports the foundation beam.

​

​

HOW TO HIRE A REPAIR CONTRACTOR

Foundation work is definitely not a do-it-yourself project, so it makes good sense to get at least three licensed contractors to give you a detailed proposal along with an assessment of your issues. The average inspection takes about two hours.

​

​

GET IN TOUCH

Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding areas

817.770.0174