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home structural repair

Should You Buy A Home With Structural Repair Issues?

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Realtors in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia are busy this time of year. People are selling and buying homes as summer is around the corner. ***  

So, if you are planning to buy a home, you may ask: Should I buy it if it has structural repair issues? It’s a good question to ask. Failure to look into this may result in costly repairs or even loss of value on your home. 

If you are interested in buying a home that needs structural repairs, here are some questions to ask: 

  1. What are the causes of the structural damage? While the home inspector has the knowledge to recognize damage in the home foundation or basement, unfortunately, most people may not easily see it. You may see cracks that may be suspicious. It may be a serious structural issue. The cracks may be caused by any number of issues which we have covered in previous blogs: the soil has washed away, clay soil that expands during wet weather and contracts during dry spells, and sinkholes. The cause of the damage determines the type of repairs. A structural engineer can inspect it and consult you on the repair(s) needed for the home. 
  2. What are the costs? The seller or seller’s realtor should give you an estimate from a home foundation repair contractor to the buyer. Be sure to check what is on the estimate. The estimate may include home stabilization, cosmetic repairs to the home exterior, interior crack repairs, doors, and windows replacement and repairs. Also, verify that there is a warranty on all repairs and materials. 
  3. Has the underlying cause of damage been resolved? If the cost of repair is only part of the damage under the home but not the real cause, then the settling is only delayed for a period of time. You will have new repair bills, which could be quite expensive, in the next few years. Have a structural engineer submit a detailed analysis of the repairs that are needed for the long-term that will prevent home foundation damage in the future. 

Purchasing a new home is probably the most significant financial decision you will make in your entire life. In 2023, the average home in the Bethesda, MD area costs $1.2 million dollars. Homes sold after 32 days on the market. *** At that listing price, imagine what foundation repairs would cost! It’s worth the time and effort. Please make sure you have the home you want to buy inspected by a structural engineer. 

M Taylor Enterprise can inspect your home foundation to see if you have any home structural issues. Call our home foundation and structural repair experts in Maryland at (301) 649-3406 or matt@mtaylorenterprise.com. We will do a free consultation, make recommendations, then do any needed repairs quickly and efficiently. 

We serve Montgomery County, MD, parts of Prince George’s, MD, and Howard County, MD.

*** For more information on the Bethesda, MD housing market, visit the Redfin website.

basement waterproofing, concrete repair, home structural repair

How to Use Carbon Fiber Straps to Repair Foundation Cracks

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As winter approaches, you may have noticed that there are cracks in and around your home foundation. They may be hairline cracks or large cracks. Regardless, they will increase in size and cause problems with your home as we have covered in previous blogs. 

However, your home foundation cracks may be at the point of no return. Now, maybe the time to contact a home foundation repair company to have those cracks repaired. Your home foundation repair contractor may recommend using carbon fiber straps to improve the foundation. 

How do these cracks occur? Home basement foundations are exposed to many hazards underground. Water can be the most significant hazard. Living in a low water table region, the soil gets saturated with water. That water pools around the foundation walls. The water pressure eventually pushes against the foundation. Soil also can be an issue as it expands. It absorbs a lot of water. The water pressure pushes against your basement walls and causes them to bow. Water must be kept from soaking into the dirt near the home foundation.

Carbon Fiber Strips are four times stronger than steel and typically outperform most forms of foundation repair tools. They are smart home foundation repair solutions for the following reasons: 

  1. Carbon fiber strap: Being four times stronger than steel, carbon fiber straps are lighter, more efficient, and less expensive. The epoxy rivet technology makes sure the strap will adhere to the wall and stay attached for many years.
  2. Top anchor: The top of the carbon fiber strap connects to the rim joist. This is where the foundation wall meets the first or main floor. It’s post-tensioned for maximum strength.
  3. Bottom anchor: The bottom of the carbon fiber strap is anchored into the foundation floor, so the wall won’t slide inward. 
  4. Carbon fiber dowels/pins may also be installed inside basement corners to “pin” the wall together. They may also be used against the flat face of a wall to keep the structure together as additional support. These are not as commonly used as other carbon fiber home foundation repair tools. 
  5. Carbon fiber straps are fastened to compromised basement walls and corners. If the crack is in the corner of the basement, it’s possible that both walls can move inward or even collapse. Most home foundation repair contractors install straps horizontally around the corner, four feet in either direction so the wall is structurally secure.

Installation of these carbon fiber straps can be completed efficiently, often in only a few hours. So, you would not have to vacate your home, nor would your daily lifestyle be inconvenienced. If you are considering solutions to your home foundation cracks, and soon before the snow and ice hits Western Maryland.  

If you need carbon fiber foundation repair or basement waterproofing, M Taylor Enterprise home foundation repair contractors can consult in Prince George, Montgomery County, and Howard County, MD. If you have seen any of these cracks in your home foundation, call our home foundation and structural repair experts in Maryland at (301) 649-3406 or matt@mtaylorenterprise.com. 

We will do a free consultation, make recommendations then do any needed repairs done quickly and efficiently.