Dealing with any home improvement project can become overwhelming, especially if it’s a big one, like a foundation repair.
Whether you have a concrete slab or pier and beam foundation, you must inspect it from time to time to ensure that there aren’t any cracks, leaks, or other problems with it. If you notice there’s something wrong with your foundation, it’s time to take action.
People who postpone foundation repairs are exposed to more problems down the road, which leads to more expensive services later.
How long does it take to tackle a foundation repair project, though? It depends on the case. People who have a concrete slab foundation may not follow the same process as those with a pier and beam foundation, for example.
This page covers the basics of what you need to know about foundation repairs, specifically how long they can take depending on the case and which factors affect the process.
How Long Do Foundation Repairs Take on Average?
On average, the process can take from one to four days. As you may be thinking right now, the process takes longer, depending on how complex the problem is.
In most cases, however, it shouldn’t take more than four days for a professional to fix your foundation problems.
What if the problem is too severe? Regular drywall cracks won’t pose much of an issue, but if the wood material under your home is destroyed, you would have to rebuild the foundation. This process is the lengthiest of them all, so you can expect the experts to take from one to three weeks to finish.
It’s also important to note that you may not be able to stay at home during this process.
How Do You Know If You Need to Schedule a Foundation Repair?
It would be best if you inspected your foundation from time to time to ensure everything is in the right place. However, there are a few signs that may indicate you have a foundation problem, and we’ll cover them below.
Common Foundation Problems
Some common issues you can expect your foundation to have include:
- Foundation/drywall crack
- Plumbing leak
- Sagging floor
- Bowing basement walls
- Sticking doors/windows
Regardless of the problem you notice first, make sure to call a professional as quickly as possible. Waiting too long to fix the issue can lead to many consequences later.
Factors That Affect the Repair Process
There are a few factors that can influence how long the repair process takes. If you don’t want to waste time guessing, feel free to request a quote from a foundation repair company. These experts are trained to inspect your property as quickly as possible and give you the right solution before it’s too late.
Let’s review some of the factors that play a role in your repair process.
Extent of the Damage
You can expect the repair project to take less time if the issue isn’t too severe. Cases involving small cracks, for example, won’t take more than a couple of days to get fixed. This is why it’s so important to tackle foundation issues as soon as you notice them.
Bigger issues, on the contrary, will take much longer to fix, especially if you have to rebuild your foundation.
Weather Conditions
Unexpected weather conditions could delay the repair process. Heavy rains, for example, will cause some workers to stop until the weather clears.
Even though it’s nearly impossible to predict when it will rain in certain areas, most professionals prepare for such scenarios to ensure everything goes according to plan.
Size of the Property
The bigger your home is, the more time the project could take.
If you’re dealing with a small, isolated issue with your foundation, you may not need to worry too much. However, if the problem extends throughout the entire property, you may have to deal with longer (and more expensive) repairs.
Existing Plumbing Problems
It’s common for foundation professionals to notice plumbing leaks when fixing other problems. Usually, plumbing issues are one of the major contributors to foundation damage, so it’s essential to take care of them before doing anything to the foundation.
Obstacles
The easier it is for the professionals to get to your home’s foundation, the better. Unfortunately, not all homeowners have the best accessibility for that area.
If you have a home with heavy foliage, for example, the worker would have to come up with a solution to access the foundation without disturbing the landscape too much. In some cases, however, the professional may need to get rid of those obstacles to proceed.
Other obstacles include trees. In some cases, a tree’s roots grow beneath the foundation, which could cause some of the damage related to it.
There, the expert will have to either work around these roots to access the foundation or remove them. These processes can add up to the timeline.
Which Type of Foundation Repair Do You Need?
It could be complicated to know which type of repair you need, especially considering not all foundation problems are equally dangerous. Usually, the answer depends on the foundation you have, the size of your home, and the extent of the damage.
In the case of concrete slab foundations, for example, the professional would have to go through an excavation phase first. There, they dig holes in specific areas where they’ll install piers later. Then, to install piers inside, flooring gets removed. This gives the expert access to the concrete slab underneath.
Once they’re done, they can proceed to place concrete piers. Finally, the professional will either level your home or use a hydraulic jack to sort everything into place.
In the case of a pier and beam foundation, on the other hand, the process would involve replacing any failing parts to restore the property to its previous condition.
You’ll know the type of repair you need by understanding the foundation your home has. Depending on that factor, the expert will use a different method to fix the issue. Feel free to talk to our company if you want more information about how you can deal with your foundation problems in the best way possible.
Bottom Line – Get Your Foundation Repaired By a Professional
If you were searching for “How long does foundation repair take?”, we hope this article has helped you understand what to expect.
Remember that the best way to handle a foundation repair is to talk to a professional company. Our repair technicians are trained to assess the current condition of your home as fast as possible to give you the perfect repair method.
Not dealing with your foundation problems on time can lead to many consequences, so make sure you request a quote from an expert foundation repair company as soon as you notice problems.