These Are the Most Common Foundation Repair Myths

As a homeowner, educating yourself about all aspects of home repair and maintenance is always a good idea. But with so many foundation repair myths floating around, misinformation makes it easy to get sidetracked. For this reason, it is essential for every homeowner, especially when you are about to embark on foundation repairs, to separate the truth from the misconceptions. Those include the following myths:

  1. Only Badly Built Homes Develop Cracks.

While it is true that a poorly poured or constructed foundation will falter sooner, well-built homes also develop foundation cracks. This is usually the result of stressors pressuring the foundation, usually for a long time, until something starts to give. The most common factors are extreme temperature changes and soil that contracts and expands.

  1. Foundation Repair Services Are Too Expensive.

Ironically, this myth is often a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because many homeowners believe that foundation repair services are far too expensive, they might postpone facing the problem — and this makes the failing foundation grow steadily worse, which, at the end of the day, will require more work and costs. The truth is that foundation repair services do not charge unreasonable fees. You can also get several quotes to find a company that suits your budget and offers convenient payment plans.

  1. Caulking Cracks Fixes the Problem.

When you fill a foundation-related crack with caulk or other types of fillers, it’s not a sustainable approach. Sure, the crack will be gone, but not the root problem. In this case, the “out of sight, out of mind” perspective will only lead to a worsening foundation problem that you cannot see until major cracks and floor tilts appear.

  1. Watering Plants Around Your House Will Worsen the Foundation.

Not if you use water wisely. The most damaging situation is where the soil is constantly wet; while that can lead to cracks, watering the plants at your home’s perimeter will not exaggerate the problem. Plants around your home tend to absorb water before it can reach the foundation, and roots also act as a buffer in regions where soil tends to contract and expand with seasonal weather.

  1. You Cannot Sell a Home With a Cracked Foundation.

There’s logic behind this myth. After all, who in their right mind would want to purchase a house with a problematic foundation? You might be surprised to learn that certain buyers are willing to consider such properties because they tend to go for a price that is far below their normal market price. No law states that you cannot sell a house with a cracked foundation. But to avoid legal issues, it is essential to disclose the situation to the real estate agency handling the sale and potential buyers.

  1. Foundation Repair Is a DIY Project.

Many homeowners believe that if they tackle foundation repairs themselves, they’ll save a lot of expenses. After all, they don’t have to pay for callouts, inspections, and professional services. But here’s the thing: Repairing a home’s foundation is not just a complex undertaking; it is also dangerous. It should only be done by a crew of professionals with the right safety training, repair knowledge, and the proper tools.

  1. Foundation Repairs Are Permanent.

Unfortunately, foundation repairs are never permanent. At the very best, when repairs are done with excellence and there are no damaging environmental factors present, your foundation can remain in great shape for several decades. To ensure that you catch problems early and fix them cheaply, don’t wait a few years or until a crack runs up the wall. An annual inspection for tiny cracks is sufficient to keep you on top of any big problems.