#Crawl Space Post Pier Repairs

[hawkcrawlspaceandfoundationrpr]

Guarding Your Home: Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair Offers Expert Basement Waterproofing and Crawl Space Cleaning Solutions

When it comes to safeguarding your home, basement waterproofing and crawl space cleaning are crucial aspects often overlooked. These areas, though hidden from plain sight, play a significant role in maintaining the structural integrity and overall health of your living environment. At Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair, we specialize in providing expert solutions to keep your basement dry and your crawl space clean, ensuring a safe and comfortable home for you and your family.

Why Basement Waterproofing Matters

Basements are susceptible to water intrusion due to factors like foundation cracks, poor drainage, or heavy rainfall. This moisture can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and compromised indoor air quality. Our comprehensive basement waterproofing services are designed to address these issues effectively.

Using advanced techniques and high-quality materials, our skilled technicians assess the root causes of water penetration. We then implement tailored solutions such as interior and exterior waterproofing membranes, sealants, and efficient drainage systems. This proactive approach not only prevents water from entering your basement but also protects against costly repairs and health hazards associated with mold and mildew.

The Importance of Crawl Space Cleaning

While often neglected, crawl spaces can harbor moisture, mold, pests, and debris, impacting both your home's air quality and structural stability. Our crawl space cleaning services focus on eliminating these threats to create a healthier living environment.

Starting with a thorough inspection, we identify existing issues such as mold growth, water damage, or pest infestations. Our meticulous cleaning process involves removing debris, sanitizing surfaces, and installing durable moisture barriers and proper ventilation systems. This ensures long-term protection against moisture buildup and improves overall air quality throughout your home.

Why Choose Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair?

Expertise and Experience: With years of experience in the industry, we possess the knowledge and skills to handle all types of basement and crawl space challenges.

Customized Solutions: We understand that every home is unique. Our solutions are tailored to your specific needs, ensuring effective results and peace of mind.

Quality Assurance: From initial assessment to project completion, we prioritize quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Comprehensive Services: In addition to basement waterproofing and crawl space cleaning, we offer foundation repair, drainage solutions, and more to safeguard your home comprehensively.

Don't wait until water damage or mold growth becomes a serious problem. Protect your home with Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair expert basement waterproofing and crawl space cleaning solutions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take proactive steps toward a safer, healthier living environment.

Originally published at — https://hawkcrawlspacefoundationrepair.blogspot.com/2024/07/guarding-your-home-hawk-crawlspace.html

[wickedsrest-rp]

Name: Leticia Torres Species: Balam Occupation: Owner of The Vinyl Countdown Age: 30 Years Old Played By: Dawn Face Claim: Emeraude Toubia

"Music is my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."

When people spoke of their families, they spoke of their homes, of the pictures on the wall that would tilt haphazardly, of the dishes passed down through the generations that were tucked away in the cabinet until special holidays. They spoke of things that were generally relatable, of homes with their families in it, places of safety, and while Leticia could relate to all those feelings of belonging — she always included music in hers. Music was like coming home. Music was a piece of her family that would be with her no matter where she stood. On stage a thousand miles from home, or humming to herself while doing chores. Music was always there. 

Her father, Sebastian, repaired instruments and offered music lessons in a small studio he owned on the pier. And it was in that shop that Leticia would grow up. And in that shop, where she sat on a stool behind the register with her dirty shoes up on the counter, is where she’d film the viral video that would mark the start of her career. She had been recording in the backroom meant for lessons with one of the new pieces of equipment her father had gotten. She filmed herself singing only a portion of one of her favorite songs and then posted it to Twitter, tagging the artist and her father’s business location.

By sheer luck, Leticia’s Friday night post was retweeted by the original artist and, from there, it had been shared a few thousand times and liked over a million times. By Sunday morning, Leticia was featured on the local news, as was her father’s shop. And from there, it was a whirlwind of sponsors reaching out to Leticia, thinking that she was an up-and-coming influencer, but in a sea of overwhelming dms and comments, she received a message from a popular cover artist on YouTube inviting her to do a collab with them. 

In interviews, Leticia would claim that she set up a powerpoint presentation for her parents and convinced them with considerable begging to allow her to travel on her own to the city in order to record. In reality, her mother, Paloma, was fiercely against it. Her parents had hidden their natural sides from the humans around them, but with all this excitement, her mother was worried that Leticia would lose control and reveal the balam within them. And a public transformation would be devastating for the family.

Leticia’s argued they had chosen to live among humans for the longest time already, and in public school, Leticia had faced varying kinds of stress and excitement with no incident. She could do this. Her father was the first one to cave, agreeing that he and Paloma had taken risks when they were her age in order to better their lives. And after a night of silence from Paloma, she agreed over breakfast, but demanded that Leticia promise that at the first sign of something being off or too overwhelming for her, that she’d leave and come back home immediately. 

A short flight later, and Leticia was in Los Angeles, and over the next week, she spent the majority of the time polishing the song they were filming. And after that? They recorded a Q&A session with Leticia, pulling questions from the comments. People wanted to know what her plans were for future music, if she wrote her own songs, who she was as a person, if she had signed with anyone yet - it was a whirlwind of positive reinforcement that changed every dream Leticia had about the future. After she said farewell to her new friends, Leticia spent the entire trip back home trying to organize her thoughts to convince her parents to support a career in music. 

While her parents were hesitant to agree, a yes was a yes, even if it was accompanied with a scowl.

Leticia posted several other cover songs and some of her original work on YouTube. And before she graduated from high school she had nearly a million subscribers and an agent. Her career blew up quickly. And the stress? Mounting just as quickly.

Each new success came with more work that Leticia had to do behind the scenes. It started with recording music and being present on social media, two things that Leticia could juggle with ease. But as her fame mounted, she added learning sets for tour, interviews, and all the time spent traveling. Leticia had little room to exist off stage. Though Exhausted, Leticia refused to slow down. To her fans, nothing had changed. Leticia was just as vibrant as ever and kept up the chaotic pace she had set for herself when she was a teenager, quietly scared that slowing down would be the undoing of her entire career. 

New York City, everything changed.

As the opening act came to an end, Leticia had gotten a phone call from her mother. Her father was dead. And before the grief could reach her, another bomb. A ranger. They were being hunted. The story was compressed into a few short sentences. Her father had taken it upon himself to distract the ranger so her mother could get away. Paloma apologized, and the call ended. 

Her father was dead. Her mother was on the run. Leticia’s pulse raced, the room spun, and safety was starting to feel… animalistic. She shifted on stage for the world to see.  Whatever control she had left over herself, over her life, Leticia used it to choose to run. Fleeing the stage and the city, Leticia didn’t stop until she couldn’t force her legs to move anymore. Stumbling through a forest, Leticia found herself in Wicked’s Rest, Maine. 

A fresh layer of grief overcame Leticia. One that wouldn’t be so easily sorted. She needed to find a place of safety and to find her mother. Maybe fate, or God, or destiny - whatever was pulling the strings here, would have mercy on Leticia and she’d find answers and help. 

Character Facts:

Personality: Protective, loyal, focused, impulsive, stubborn, charismatic, shameless, quick-tempered

As a musician, Leticia had some difficulty nailing down the tone she wanted for her music. She had, at first, only done covers as a way of showcasing her abilities, but when she was writing her own music, she drifted toward the pop rock genre.

Since leaving her rockstar career behind, Leticia has found herself gravitating toward nature, spending more time in the forests around Wicked's Rest. She's unsure if it's because of her recent loss of control that's made these long walks more appealing, but regardless, she's found peace between the trees.

While she keeps the world at a cool distance these days, those closest to her would find a fiercely loyal and protective friend. There is little that Leticia wouldn't do for someone she cares about, and little she wouldn't sacrifice to protect them. Much like her father, it's always been in her nature to be protective, damn the cost to herself.

The Vinyl Countdown is three buildings in one, a business, a radio station, and a home. During the daylight hours, the store is open to sell an assortment of items, all musically related. In the back room behind the counter is a booth to run the station: Beat It Up, run by Leticia most days, but open for local students who’d like to dabble in broadcasting. The second floor is a dedicated apartment where Leticia lives.

She's fluent in both English and Spanish.

[preciserestumping]

Pier Replacement - Why It Is Important to Repair Piers in Your Home

If your home was built on brick or steel piers it is important that they are repaired as soon as you notice signs of movement. These are often caused by leaking drainage and over saturated soils. Timely repairs can prevent damage to the structure and improve the operation of doors and windows. Leaving them untreated will lead to further structural damage to your home and increase the cost of repair.

Many of the original pier replacement in Sydney homes are showing signs of failure and need to be replaced. These can be identified by cracks in walls and cornices, a sinking floor or gaps under skirting boards and around window and door frames. If your house has these issues it is critical that you contact a foundation specialist to inspect and carry out repairs.

The first step is to stabilise the foundation and this can be achieved by a process called “repiering”. This involves digging around the foundation, building hydraulic piers under it in various spots and then lifting the foundation into place to level it. This will also stop any further movement of the foundation and save you money on expensive renovations.

Repairing the piers of a rammed earth foundation is a long process and requires plenty of man hours to complete in cramped crawl spaces. The contractor will remove the existing piers, dig shafts to form pre-dug holes and then pour concrete for a new set of piers. They will also replace any rotten or damaged beams to ensure that the entire structure is strong and stable.

This type of foundation is typically used in areas with variable soil conditions. It spreads the load and weight of the building evenly across the entire pier system, reducing the risk of differential settlement. It can be difficult to install a post and beam foundation in an existing house, so contractors typically build a raft or concrete slab on the ground before laying down the posts and beams.

Reactive clay soils expand and contract with weather conditions, so they may shift over time. This can put stress on the house piers and cause them to sink. Timely re-piering can help to prevent this from happening, and it can restore your property value.

There are many different types of piers available to builders, but most are made from brick or steel. These are designed to hold the weight of a house and other structures, so they need to be installed correctly. Incorrectly installing a pier can affect the stability of a building, and it could even collapse.

If you are having a problem with your piers, the expert team at BillCorp can help. We have years of experience working with a wide range of piers, and we can help you decide the best option for your situation. We offer a free consultation and quote, so call us today to get started! We can also repair sagging floors, and we provide a comprehensive list of other building services.

Precise Restumping & Underpinning successfully maintains a reputation for delivering quality, reliable and sound services to clients all over New South Wales, with a licensed builder that personally oversee all work.

[lexingtonfoundationrepairexperts]

Is Crawl Space Foundation Repair in Lexington a Permanent Solution?

There are many reasons why crawl space foundation repair in Lexington may be necessary. However, some homeowners wonder if this is a permanent solution to their problem. Let's look at what causes crawl space foundation problems and whether or not a repair is a long-term solution.

Crawl space foundation repair is the process of fixing the foundation of your house from the inside out.

Crawl space foundation repair in Lexington is a process of identifying and resolving foundation issues that affect the crawl space area beneath your house. Problems such as subsidence, seismic activity, construction defects, and changes in soil composition can cause structural cracking or instability in crawlspaces. Crawl space professionals use a combination of foundational reinforcement and pressure grouting to restore the crawlspace to its original state and prevent further damage from occurring. During the crawlspace foundation repair in Lexington, any existing damage is repaired or replaced. This may include replacing broken or worn support beams or underpinning support posts with sturdier materials. Any organic material that has begun to deteriorate must also be replaced with nonabsorbent fillers. Once complete, crawl space maintenance technicians will apply waterproofing treatments to ensure that no water seeps into the crawlspace in the future. Property owners should rest assured knowing that reputable crawl space foundation repair companies in Lexington offer high-quality services and comprehensive warranties on all projects they complete. Without proper maintenance and attention, crawl spaces can become havens for vermin and mold growths, resulting in serious health risks to those exposed to them. Crawl space foundation repair ensures that your crawlspace remains clear of these potential hazards while keeping it safe and up-to-date for years to come.

This repair is done when cracks in the foundation or the house have settled and caused damage.

Foundation repair is essential to ensuring any home's structural integrity. This repair generally includes repairing cracks in the foundation, reinforcing or adjusting the crawl space, and leveling the house if it has shifted due to settling. While this repair can be costly, it is essential for protecting your home from further damage. Cracks in a foundation can cause lasting problems and may also allow moisture and pests into the crawl space. Additionally, insufficiently reinforced crawlspaces can lead to flooding in wet weather or cause further shifting once the soil surrounding the house has been waterlogged. By taking proactive steps to inspect and maintain your home's foundation, you can reduce the chances of significant damages over time and keep your home safe and secure.

The most common method of crawl space foundation repair is to use concrete piers or steel beams to support the weight of the house and stabilize it.

When a crawl space foundation becomes damaged, it can lead to expensive repair and costly future damage if left untreated. Fortunately, crawl space foundation repair can come in many forms, the most common of which is the use of concrete piers or steel beams to support the weight of the house and stabilize it. This process requires digging out around the crawl space perimeter, removing any old debris or soil that may have collected over time, and inserting new reinforced concrete piers or steel beams. Once secure, these piers and beams provide a solid base for the crawlspace foundation to rest upon, protecting it from further damage caused by shifting soil, heavy rains, and other external forces. This method is one of the most reliable ways to ensure crawlspace foundations remain vital for years. However, an experienced professional should be consulted before undertaking any crawlspace foundation repairs, as incorrect work could seriously damage your home’s structural integrity. Make sure you hire someone with experience in crawl space foundation repair so you can be confident in the final result.

Is crawl space foundation repair permanent?

Crawl space foundation repair is essential for any homeowner whose home has had a structural issue arise. Problems with foundation damage can cause various issues, from cracking walls to broken floorboards. But how permanent are crawl space foundation repairs? Generally speaking, the answer depends on the type of repair being performed. For example, if structural beams and joists have been replaced or reinforced, these repairs should last many years, as these materials are designed to be hard-wearing. However, warnings about future problems can be made if dampness is present in the crawl space or if exterior landscaping changes could affect the load on one part of a structure compared to another. In other words, problems with foundations may require re-evaluation over time. However, done correctly from the outset and with regular inspections after that, crawl space repairs can be expected to hold up well into the future as they should effectively restore a home's structural integrity and prevent unwanted ongoing damage.

[andrewmawby]

Foundation Installation Costs

Foundation Installation Costs 2021 (Installation, Replacement, Pricing)

Becoming a homeowner is one of the biggest successes one can enjoy in life. Other than offering families a private space, a house is a great long-term investment. This is why millions of Americans buy homes each year.

Alternatively, if you want to have more control over your house's design, you can choose to build a new home. However, this approach comes with additional work as you need to get cost estimates for your design, secure a building permit, and monitor the construction process. This is important as it helps ensure the total cost of construction does not exceed the budget. 

With construction, the most important thing is for the building to be strong and stable to ensure the residents' safety. This is why the foundation is arguably the most critical part of a building. Other than supporting the building, a well-laid foundation serves as insulation. It also prevents moisture from underground water seeping in, reducing the need for further waterproofing. 

One of the major concerns about a house foundation during construction is the overall cost. This is because there's a lot of work that goes into laying the foundation. And, depending on the soil conditions, the amount of work may vary. With more work comes additional labor costs and other associated expenses. A place with loose soil will need more excavating and foundation walls to guarantee safety and adhere to local building codes. 

If you're looking for information about foundation costs for new construction, you are in the right place. In this article, you will learn about:

The average cost of a new foundation

Types of foundations

The best foundation for a house

The best foundation for a mobile home

How to save money with foundation installation

How Much Does Foundation Installation Cost?

Being one of the most important features of a building, it is crucial that the foundation is constructed well. However, you should also have accurate cost guides to ensure it does not blow your budget. When it comes to foundation costs, there are two key factors to consider: the type of foundation and the square footage.

Most people spend between $4,166 and $13,280 when building a foundation, bringing the average cost to $8,473. However, your costs may be even higher depending on the particular needs of your site and location. 

What Are the Types of Foundations?

When building a house, the type of foundation to use is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make. Factors that local contractors and structural engineers consider when determining the best choice for your project include:

Location and climate

Soil condition

Humidity

Budget

By taking into account all of these factors, you may find one of the following options suits you best.

1. Concrete Slab Foundation

With this foundation, a flat concrete slab will be laid on the ground in one concrete block. Concrete slab foundations are also known as mono slab foundations or monolithic. Two key benefits of concrete are that it's less expensive as you only need to be keen on the cost of concrete and it is easy to construct. 

The installation process is also hassle free. A beam embedded with concrete that runs two feet deep around the foundation walls, steel reinforcing bars, and wire mesh are embedded in the concrete to strengthen the block foundation. These add to the strength and stability of a concrete slab foundation. 

With concrete slab foundations, repair costs are not a major concern. This is because concrete slab is not prone to crumbling over time, necessitating foundation repair. Also, with this type of foundation, the building will not have a crawl space, which also presents maintenance issues. 

Check out the video below for more information on different types of concrete slab foundations.

Concrete foundations are not suitable for areas with cold climates. When temperatures drop and the ground begins to freeze and thaw, the slab will begin cracking and can shift. Another limiting factor with this foundation is that sewer and drainage system pipes are installed before concrete is poured. As such, you will have to cut through the slab to fix sewage and plumbing issues.

2. Pier and Beam

If you live in an area where the soil is constantly shifting, eroding, or flooding, the best way to anchor your home is to use a pier beam foundation. Also known as "piers and pile" or "pier and post" foundations, they're common in coastal regions and areas prone to hurricane conditions and major flooding. Along with offering support, they also need to protect the house from water damage. 

During installation, piers that can exceed 15 yards long are fixed on the ground to reach the soil's deep layers and stone. This approach is also suitable when constructing heavier homes to prevent sinking as the weight is distributed over a large area. 

With this type of foundation, you'll need to bring in a structural engineer to perform a soil analysis to ensure the conditions are suitable for construction. Costs are also relatively high as you will need heavy machinery to drive the concrete piers into the ground.

3. Full Basement Foundation

Full basement foundations have an underground living space that matches the home's ground level floor space. Construction begins by digging a hole for the basement that's at least eight feet deep. Along the edges, structural foundation walls on concrete footings will be placed. These footings should be placed at least 12 inches below the frost line and 12 inches below previously undisturbed soil. 

From there, beams will be placed, concrete walls erected, and cement slab poured inside the walls. With this type of foundation, you will enjoy more living space which can double your home's square footage. More importantly, basement foundations are strong, durable, and resistant to extreme weather and fire.

Basement foundations are more common in cold climate areas where freeze and thaw cycles can cause a home to shift. The foundation must be placed below the frost line in such areas, thus making a basement foundation the perfect option. 

Basements offer a wide range of applications for homeowners. For instance, if you live on a hillside, you can construct a walkout basement, offering additional functionality. However, you must be prepared to spend as this is the most expensive type of foundation. 

4. Crawl Space Foundation

Instead of a full basement, you can opt for a crawl space foundation. This is a space below the house in which a person can crawl that's slightly elevated. Though it does not add living space to your home, it provides additional storage space suitable for a furnace and other equipment. It also provides easy access to mechanical systems, plumbing, and wiring. Foundations with crawl spaces are made of stem walls, which are short foundation walls on concrete footings.

Since houses with crawl spaces are elevated, they have a unique aesthetic appeal. However, the primary benefit of crawl spaces is the protection they offer from environmental hazards such as flooding and earthquakes. The elevation also makes such houses more resistant to termites. However, the same cannot be said for mold and mildew. 

Compared to a full basement home foundation, crawl spaces are less expensive. However, they require more maintenance. Fortunately, most of the work is DIY. All you need to do is check the below-ground walls for cracks, install vapor barriers, and check for leaks from pipes. This should be done regularly to ensure that the crawlspace is dry at all times and remains structurally sound.

How Much for Concrete Foundation Installation?

While choosing a foundation style, it is essential to have a cost guide to help develop accurate estimations based on your preferred style and square footage. Along with the price per square foot, you should also know the factors that can affect the estimates. 

1. Monolithic

With a monolithic concrete slab, you should expect the costs to be around $4 per square foot. The cost can go higher if there is a need to add radiant heat, bump-outs, and sealers with a water vapor barrier. 

2. Stem Wall

At $ 5 per square foot, a stem wall is more expensive than a concrete slab. Similarly, the costs can be higher if sealers, radiant heat, and bump-outs are needed.

What Is the Best Foundation for A House?

Approximately half of the houses built in the US use slab foundation. However, this does not necessarily mean it is the best option for your house. In conjunction with your contractor, you must determine which type of foundation to use. It is ideal for warm and dry areas where you do not have to worry about frost depth. Slab foundations are also suitable for regions where basements cannot be used due to water tables. 

If you are building in a sloped area, basements and crawl spaces are a suitable option. For areas with loose soil or  that experience extreme weather conditions, go for a pier and beam foundation. The key to determining the best choice is assessing your area's conditions to know which options will offer the greatest support.

What Is the Best Foundation for a Mobile Home?

Over the years, designs for mobile homes have improved significantly, making them an increasingly popular option. If you're thinking about investing in a mobile home, you need to choose an ideal foundation. As with fixed homes, your options include basements, crawlspaces, slabs, and piers. 

Each comes with unique properties that are appealing to home builders. If you want an option that's cost effective but still durable and functional, a slab-on-grade foundation will do just fine. With this option, there will be a concrete base as large as the house with a crawl space beneath. The house is anchored to the concrete for support.

Another popular option due to its ease of setup is the use of piers. Cylindrical piers made of cement are inserted into the ground well below the frost line. Spacing for the piers should be around 8 feet. To reduce foundation costs, you can combine piers with beams.

As unrealistic as it sounds, mobile homes can also have a basement foundation. For maximum stability, the basement walls should be thick enough to support the weight of the house. If the pricing of a basement foundation seems too high, a crawlspace is a suitable alternative. This option is suitable for regions prone to termite infestations or high levels of humidity.

How to Save Money with Foundation Installation

When building a house, especially at the foundation level, the biggest mistake you can make is cutting corners to save money. Doing so not only compromises the integrity of the structure but will translate to significant repair costs later on. Nonetheless, it is still important to make the process as economical as possible to avoid going beyond the budget.

If you're using a concrete slab, you can save up to a dollar per square foot by choosing a monolithic slab instead of a stem wall. You can also save up to $ 1,000 if you do not add a vapor barrier. This should only be done if you live in a relatively dry area.

With pier and beam foundations, costs depend on the number of piers you use. To bring the cost down, ensure the design is rectangular as it will not require a lot of piers. However, when it comes to cost reduction, basement foundations have the most pressing need but the most challenging. Instead of a finished basement, leave it half-done. This will save you thousands of dollars.

Get It Right the First Time

Any mistakes during construction often translate to higher costs. This is why it is important to start your project with all the necessary information. Ask The Builder is a platform dedicated to helping you complete your construction without any issues. Do you need help? Ask Tim all your construction related questions to avoid unnecessary pitfalls. 

The post Foundation Installation Costs appeared first on Ask the Builder.

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[kingmaker-thac0hno]

The Kingdom of Thornvale: Roads and Waters

The month of Neth, 4711

The cool autumn air turns crisp as the fall season hits full stride, and the Lords of Thornvale unveil an aggressive plan to address many of the kingdom's troubles. Together, they announce an investment in Blackstag, decreeing that the old supplied cache discovered in the ancient dwarven ruins would be used to help construct expansive piers upon the waterfront of Lake Candlemere. In addition, the kingdom would begin construction on an ambitious roadway linking not only Haven and Blackstag, but Brevoy as well. Furthermore, Lord Evrin would, from his own pocket, finance the construction of the Thornvale Graniteworks on the quarry site east of town.

Furthermore, Saryn unveils a decree for the expansion and growth of Thornvale! Parcels of land will be awarded to peoples based on their goals and how they aid, help, or improve the realm. The land in question will be based on locations that there is need to develop and will change as those needs change. The size of the property will be dependent on need. No more than six will be granted in a month, though this will be an ongoing strategy for growth. Formal plans will be submitted by the first week’s end to be considered, and documents will be held for review in future cohorts should they not be accepted. Willingness to relocate within reason and being open to fitting into a schedule will both greatly aid the process. There will be aids available for the paperwork (to accommodate the illiterate).

Arna spends the majority of the month in and around the village of Blackstag. Upon arrival in Blackstag, Odis suggests that Arna stay with Natasha Varona, one of the infamous Blackstag Widows. Odis explains that Nat has ‘a lot of space to herself now.’ Natasha is woman in her late 30’s, she has long black hair and would be stunning save the long jagged scar on the left of her face. Arna sets to helping people with tasks where her considerable strength and endurance are needed, and there are ample needs. Tasks normally attributed to “man folk” have been at a bottle neck. Arna feels at home with the Stag Folk (as they have taken to calling themselves). Their communal meals (out of practicality) and the bawdy nature and dark humor of the folk remind Arna of her time in the army back home. After dinner the 5th night, Arna realized why her thoughts went to her time in army when Nat told her the story of the Battle of Blackstag. From the walls as an archer, Nat watched when the lizard folk ranks broke after the divine wind barrier. Then the troll stepped in and she saw her husband and two sons slaughtered before he threw the twisted tree that hit her face and knocked her from the wall. From then forward, every evening she searched the faces and could see loss behind all the smiles and laughter.

Heading west, Arna begins to survey the woods and lands between Blackstag and the old dwarven ruin. Immediately West of town, she uncovers remnants of the great battle against Hargulka's trolls - scorched troll bones, broken weapons, a residual campsite. It seems the folk of Blackstag still avoid the area. Farther west, the Narlmarches become thicker, and the scar of the battle is quickly left behind. Arna dutifully records her observations, crisscrossing the wood and recording it's dimensions . Pushing ever closer to the old dwarven ruin, Arna notes that the forest here is dense - far denser than her memory recollects from her last visit. Tangled vines crawl up trees, and the lush canopy above filters out much of the light. Turning southwest,  the forest starts to feel close here, nearly claustrophobic, and a wispy, green-tinged fog hovers above the ground. Finally arriving at the old ruin, she sees that the place seems overrun with thick, twisted vines, the field before the entrance now dotted with all manner of sapling and shrub. The transformation from simple gatehouse built into the bare cliff face to one overrun with vegetation is shocking. Worse still is the thick tangle seems to create a barrier of sorts, preventing Arna from reaching the entrance. Wise enough to realize that hacking her way through would be bound to draw attention, the dwarf slips off into the wood and heads back to Blackstag.

***

Evrin remains in Haven for the month, working on transcribing the old scrolls on siege warfare he obtained from the Aldori Academy. As soon as the copies are complete, he, Stonewalker, Thefina, and Quill begin gathering materials necessary to build the first ballista for the town. Between the four of them (mostly the halfling and the gnome), by months-end they manage to assemble a wheeled version of the weapon, and begin to familiarize themselves with it's use.

Meeting with Cedrin regularly, the halfling reviews notes from a few surveying expeditions that have responded to his call. One group has returned with some information about the area surrounding the Shrike Cascades, and a lone hunter has submitted his notes on the dense woods northwest of the old elven ruins. The steward notes that they have been paid from Kingdom funds as directed, and their findings have been noted in the kingdom maps.

***

Stonewalker sets to helping around the city of Haven and Blackstacg, repairing minor broken tools and trinkets. As he does so, he makes note of the children in town. Roughly 20 or so seem to live in and about Haven virtually all of them under the age of 2. The youth of Blackstag number roughly a dozen, ranging from infant to pre-teen. When asked, nearly all of the parents ( predominantly mothers) approve of the idea for a school, suggesting everything from counting to reading and history and horse care, to proper weapons training, language instruction in elvish and halfling and dwarven, tradesman ship in fishing and carpentry and brewing, farming and stonemasonry, candlemaking, weaving, leatherworking, bowmaking, smithing, alchemy, magic- virtually every possible trade is mentioned. One woman even suggested fortune telling! A brief meeting afterward with Thefina sets her to sketching out plans for a school in Haven to accomodate such numbers.

During this time, Stonewalker approaches various traders traveling through Thornvale and hands out fliers for his apprenticeship. In Blackstag, he encounters a few finishing their last trip before the winter season; all are from Mivon,  though through chatting, he finds one that is headed home by way of Jovox. In Haven, he is able to pass out a few fliers to some merchants from Varnhold, though notably absent are any from Brevoy.

Stonewalkers reconvenes his commoners meeting, though conversations with Odis seem to indicate that the leader of Blackstag will only attend once a month, as travel between the two cities takes too long to merit such frequent trips. Hoff, Oleg and Kimble join this month, and offer many suggestions. Kimble is ever-talkative, and suggests the cultivation of silk farms and cotton fields,  the establishment of a weavers guild, and the formation of a tailors union ( with him in charge, of course). Hoff points out that there's no facility for the construction of transportation - no wagonwrights in town nor any reliable place to acquire horses for such tasks. Oleg comments that the curent trading post is suitable for the town's needs, but a full-fledged open market with plenty of room for merchant's stalls may be something to consider in the future. Furthermore, he notes that trade has been robust with Varnhold ( and he is aware of similar trade in Blackstag, with Mivon), but virtually nowhere else, save for an errant peddler - perhaps encouraging official trade agreements would be appropriate.

The remainder of the month, the gnome works with Evrin on his ballista, pouring over the old schematics and fiddling with it's construction.

-----------

Mid month, a ragged band of laborers returns to haven: the construction crew working on the new graniteworks site. They have run all night and day to get back to safety, it seems, after being terrorized by an enormous bird! Ardberg reports the attack coming in the late afternoon, when a giant bird - as big as the mountain itself! - dove down upon them, grabbing several in it's gigantic claws before flying away.  The construction crew adamantly refuse to return to the site until the threat has been dealt with.

***

Karis and Tesh'lahi add another to their number as Rhys, the orphan boy from Blackstag accepts Karis' invitation. The three of them set off for Haven early in the month, seeking to begin his training. Tesh, for her part, begins the lessons right there on the boat back to town! Rhys is eager to learn, mesmerized by the two elf-kin and their strange ways. Later however, Tesh pulls aside Karis and comments that it may take many months, perhaps years, for this child to develop the skills he wishes to nurture. Upon arriving in Haven, the three begin an intense training for the boy.

Checking in on Lathon, Karis finds that he has developed some considerable endurance from working with the Aldori Duellists who have enjoyed sparring with someone other than themselves, despite the inferior swordplay.

Working with his wyvern, Karis slowly introduces it to Rhys and Tesh, hoping to allow the creature to become accustomed to their presence. It decidedly rejects the boy, hissing and biting at the lad until finally separated. Tesh comments that it may be best to keep the two apart from now on.

After a brief meeting, Thefina agrees to begin work on the false-bottomed crates requested by Karis. She commits to delivery sometime in Kuthona.

***

Saryn continues his tradition of entertaining during the evenings, through the change in seasons has forced a change in venue. Still, Havenhall is welcoming for those wishing to share an ale or a song. Scanning the crowd, the elf lord sees naught but the familiar faces of Havenites and the various transient woodsfolk who wander through town.

Soon after the monthly proclamations, on the night after the First Brewing, Saryn heads to Armauk's memorial grove and begins to speak:

When I first found myself at the Trading Post I never had considered speaking to a shrine, much less what the journey would mean to the people, region, and everything that makes up the region. Meeting the wandering priest meant little and even purifying the lost temple seemed more random and a happy accident than anything. Finding the mighty statue in your likeness seemed natural as a temple was so nearby. I suppose that I assumed Armauk was tasked with doing such as one of the cloth might and didn’t consider or care much past that. It fulfilled him and that was as much as I needed. It wasn’t until he was taken from us that I began to ponder. We are living largely by your doctrine, even if accidentally- perhaps that was Armauks mission? More so, at least more so impacting was that I am largely living that doctrine. The sight of the great white stag revealed more than just the sight, I believe that. We are the People of the Stag in faith and in action. I come here today, to ask for your guidance on how to better lead your people.

Though no apparent visit from the Stag God followed, Saryn could not help shake thoughts of Jhod from his mind.

A brief visit to the owlbear den reveals the older creature fat and preparing for hibernation. She appears to be in good health, though the scars from her time with the Stag Lord still mar her fur and feathers, and she complains a bit about what sounds a bit like the ache of old age creeping into her shoulder. She also informs Saryn that she avoids the mill, as it has too many menfolk. She prefers to hunt north and west, where the prey hasn't been scared away by the noise of the men. A thorough search of the area reveals naught but simple owlbear tracks.

From there, a quick flight to Blackstag puts Saryn close to the wandering, drunk hill giant. Through slow coaxing and gentle words, Saryn is able to speak to the giant about his woes. It seems he has lost his mother, and he drinks in despair. Beyond that, the simpleminded giant gives no indication of wants or needs, or any missions or goals beyond his missing mama. In fact, his description of home is some brief mention of the big hills and some of the other little hills next to HIS hill, which is bestest.  

Uniting the two wyverns goes poorly, as they immediately become competitive and begin snarling and snapping at each other as each attempts to assert dominance over the other. Saryn and Karis are just able to pull them apart before the damage extends beyond scratches and infighting. They hiss angrily at each other as this new rivalry is established.  The commotion is enough to ward off any Havenites from intervening.

Speaking to the handful of hunters sporting an animal companion of some sort, it is not difficult to determine that three stand out from the rest, each claiming to have raised their pet from pup ( or egg). One carries a large hunting falcon upon his shoulder. Another a ferret in his satchel. The third walks with a large wolf.

***

By months-end, a small celebration in the village of Blackstag commemorates the construction of the village piers, after numerous setbacks including the loss of numerous tools into the lake and a rather painful splinter for Krysta, one of the hardier widows and laborers on the project.

The Night of the Seven Veils festival is held once again, with all sorts of folk from every corner of Thornvale converging on Haven for the night. A number of visitors from Blackstag arrive on the newly constructed road, and what seems to be the entire Sootscale tribe marches into town in an elaborately-constructed  dragon-snake costume. Jhod and Justyna make an appearance, as do many of the miners and lumberjacks and farmers from the surrounding regions. Even an envoy from Varnhold attends, counting nearly a dozen in number. At the festival, Saryn announces his contest for the naming of the road.

Turn 16; Kuthona, 4711 AR

Petitions:

Cedrin reports that he has updated the official kingdom maps with the details of the two recent surveying parties.  

Cedrin reports that he has been inundated with a flood of requests for land by the locals of Haven, and has not yet managed to sort through all of them. The vast majority, however, are requests for land in the outlying areas of Haven for the establishment of farms. One submission of note is a request for the Old Sycamore tree, to “establish a home for the burrowing denizens of the Kingdom, such that they may feel more welcome among the tall-folk”

The laborers from the construction of the road edict report that they were somewhat concerned about a bubbling, stinking area north of Blackstag. They’ve taken to calling it the ‘Mud Bowl’, saying it makes people sick who breathe in the air there, and that one of the workers swore he saw something moving in the mud. 

Cedrin reports that Jubilost and his party of gnomes have returned to Haven.

Edicts:

You may issue two (2) edicts for the month of Kuthona

[travelingtheusa]

NORTH CAROLINA

2020 Nov 19 (Thu) –Bonnie had a bout of diarrhea and we were getting up every two to three hours to take her out.  Poor thing.  At one point, she was also throwing up.  She got a bad bug this time!

    A brisk, cold wind was blowing in from the ocean.  The temperature didn’t get much into the 50s today.  We stayed around the camper most of the day except to run out to the post office to mail off some post cards.  We also did the laundry. The machines were only $.75.  That was a delight.  Getting ready to move on tomorrow.

 2020 Nov 18 (Wed) – It was a cold and blustery day.  At 4 p.m. we ran out to the store to pick up some rice.  Bonnie started in with diarrhea and we didn’t have any rice to mix with her chicken.  While we were out, we stopped at Michael’s Seafood Restaurant and had dinner. Paul enjoyed black drum, a flaky white fish.  I had salmon. The meal was delicious and they gave us a military discount to boot!  Always, always ask.  You never know who gives a discount and who doesn’t.

 2020 Nov 17 (Tue) – It was a beautiful day today but we did not go anywhere.  I think it was because there is not much to see in this area and we have been to all the tourist stops.  It is disappointing to think that you have seen everything and nothing else interests you.  I certainly hope we are not at that point.  

2020 Nov 16 (Mon) – We drove to Wilmington today to tour the Battleship North Carolina.  When we arrived, there was water flooding the road and the parking lot.  We slowly drove through several inches of water only to find that we couldn’t get onto the ship without walking through water. So I called the desk to see if they were open.  The clerk said they were flooded out with high tide.  It would go down and they would be open around 12-ish.  We think they could have built up their parking area a little.

    We left and picked up pet food at PetCo, then went to the historic part of town on the Cape Fear River to have lunch. The Fork & Cork was a small bar and café.  We both got the specials.  Mine was a mac & cheese carbonara.  Sounded good but didn’t taste good.  Paul had some kind of burger with bacon jam and spicy mayo.  He seemed to enjoy it.

    Heading back to the battleship, we found that the water level had gone down and we were able to park and go into the place.  We spent about 2 hours crawling around the ship.  I learned a couple of new things and we had fun exploring 5 decks below and 2 decks above the main deck although we couldn’t go into the engine room.  The coding machine they used during WWII was top secret.  When a repairman came to fix it, everyone had to leave the room.  Different parts were done by different people so very few understood the entire system and how it worked.  When radio messages were sent, they were entirely encoded – even the name of the ship the message was going to.  So radiomen had to decode every message that was sent out in order to sort out their messages.

    After the battleship, we stopped at Publix to pick up groceries.  After dinner, we walked over to the beach to watch the Leonid Meteor shower.  We brought a sheet so we could lie down on the sand.  It was cold, the sand was hard, and we couldn’t see any meteors even though the circumstances were unusually excellent.  There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the moon was nearly invisible; had just the barest fingernail of a shape.  We were very disappointed.

2020 Nov 15 (Sun) – The day was overcast and threatening all day.  We tried to walk down to the beach but it started sprinkling, so we turned around and went back home.  We spent the day hanging around the camper.  Bob & Holly left without ever coming over to visit.

 2020 Nov 14 (Sat) – We went into town to pick up a few groceries.  Drove through Carolina Beach.  It is a very beachy community.  Although there are many people here, it is no where near what it usually is in the summer time when all the beach houses and condos are rented.

    We took a walk across the street to the ocean with Bonnie.  The beach front is very open and expansive.  You can see the Kure Beach Pier in the distance.  The beach is deserted at this time of year and you can see forever.

2020 Nov 13 (Fri) – We packed up and left Elizabeth City at 9 a.m.  It was an easy drive to Fort Fisher AF Rec Area in Kure Beach.  The campground is right off the main road that runs through town along a row of beach houses.  It reminds me of beach row in the Hamptons with all the 3-story pastel houses on stilts fronting the ocean.  Although it belongs to the military and you have to show ID to get a campsite, the campground is open.  It’s not on a base.

There are about 25 sites here.  They are concrete and very, very long with full hookups.  There is a decent amount of space between the sites with trees along the back of the perimeter.  Our window looks out at the ocean side and all the pastel homes and cottages built adjacent to the roadway.  

Fort Fisher must have made a lot of money selling the property to beach goers.  If you don’t turn into the campground and just drive straight down the road, you go into the Fort itself.  It was a civil war fort and there are breastworks that visitors can wander around. There is also an aquarium on the beach side.  When we toured it last year, there were Christmas trees all over the building.  

We were here last year just after the area had been hit with a hurricane.  Buildings were under repair and the reception office was temporarily set up in another building.

We are on a narrow spit of land, like Fire Island back home.  They call this area the Crystal Coast – 80 some miles of outer islands that protect the main coastline.  On one side of us is a bay.  On the other side is the Atlantic Ocean.  We can hear the waves breaking on the shore all day long.

      After we set up, we went to the office to check in.  When we got back, we spotted an orange Class A Motor Home setting up.  It turned out to be Bob & Holly from our Utah caravan last year.  They were the couple that had trouble with their rig. While they were in Las Vegas waiting for it to be repaired, they got married.  We said “Hi” to Bob and promised to get together later when Holly returned.

 2020 Nov 12 (Thu) – It was an overcast and rainy day.   We just hung around the campground all day, getting ready to move tomorrow.

 2020 Nov 11 (Wed – Vets Day) – It was a rainy, overcast, nasty day today.  We stayed in the campground.  Did laundry this afternoon.  I began work on my book about my time in Iraq.  It’s been 15 years since I was sent to the Middle East. It’s about time I got that damn book written.

 2020 Nov 10 (Tue) – We started a new diet today so we stayed close to home to get ourselves into the groove.  While I was cooking, we turned on the Magic Fan to help exhaust the heat in the kitchen. Weirdly, the fan would not turn off. We flipped switches, checked fuses, and shut the DC-12 volt system – all to no avail.  Paul finally just cut the wire to the fan.  

 2020 Nov 9 (Mon) – It rained all morning.  The insulation in our rig is really good.  I couldn’t hear any rain.  I didn’t know it was raining until I looked out the window.  Our pop-up camper used to sound like corn popping on the roof when it rained.  This is much quieter.

     We had lunch then drove to WalMart to pick up groceries.  We’re starting a new diet tomorrow.  Trying Keto this time.  We’ll see how things go.

2020 Nov 8 (Sun) – We drove into New Bern today.  We had been there last year when we drove through here but the North Caroline History Center was closed then.  The historical houses in the complex were closed.  There was a small museum inside the visitor center that covered the history of the state and city.  At 1:30 p.m., we went to the Tryone Palace.  It was and the first capitol of North Carolina from 1770 to 1794. The original palace kitchen burned down in 1798, leaving only the stable intact.  In 1952, two ladies from the historical society found the original architectural plans for the property.  They bought it, raised money, and rebuilt the palace and kitchen according to the original plans.  With the Revolutionary War looming on the horizon, the governor fled to New York, fearing for his personal safety.  There were docents in every room on the first floor and in the basement (we weren’t allowed to tour the upper floors).

     We walked down the Main Street and stopped at a café for lunch. I had tuna on a croissant and Paul had a gyro sandwich.  Everything was tasty.

     On the drive back to the base, we stopped at the Junkyard Market.  It was an intriguing place with lots of odds and ends out on the street to attract visitors.  We walked through the building, looking at all the knick-knacks.

     Back in the car, we drove through a nearby development when Paul spotted a sign there were new homes for sale.  We thought we would go through a couple of model homes but there weren’t any.  So after driving around the neighborhood, we returned to the campground.

2020 Nov 7 (Sat) – It was a very delightful day. After letting the animals have outdoor time, we headed out to the Crystal Coast to tour Fort Macon.  It was a small but very neat confederate fort built on the Atlantic coast.  We realized how big some of the other forts were that we have toured after seeing this one. There were 3 forts built on the site. The first was Fort Dobbs in 1756.  It was never completed and allowed to fall into disrepair.  The second fort (Fort Hampton) was built in 1808.  It defended Beaufort Harbor during the War of 1812. A hurricane eroded the inlet in 1825 so Fort Macon was built between 1826 and 1834.  In 1862, union forces attacked and captured the fort.  The fort was used during the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and World War II.  It served as a military prison from 1862 to 1877.  The property was purchased by the state and became the first state park in North Carolina in 1936.

     We then drove into Beaufort and explored the Old Burying Ground.  The historical society normally conducts tours of the site but because of the coronavirus, nobody was giving any tours.  There are graves of confederate and union soldiers as well as slaves and freemen.  It was such a mish mash of gravesites.  It looked like a lot of them had concrete coverings over the bodies.  The large cemetery had graves laying every which way. It’s like they came in, looked around, and said, “There’s a spot.”  It was crazy!

     We then walked around the block and explored the historic site where there were many houses that had been built in the 1700s. Most of the houses had plaques on them stating the year they were built and who lived there.  We stopped at the marina to ogle the boats and yachts.  I picked up two kites for our grandsons who we will be seeing over Thanksgiving.  

     We stopped at the Crabs Claw for lunch.  There was an outside deck overlooking the ocean.  We both had the lobster salad.  It was quite good.  Next door was an interesting looking rental.  We asked the waitress about it.  It was 5 units attached as one building, each one with 4 floors with balconies looking out over the ocean.  In the backyard were a barbecue, a hot tub, and a pool.  She said it was rental condos that cost (she thought) about $3,500 a week.  Wow.

     The drive back to the base went over several bridges and past some interesting places – Radio Island, Morehead City, Atlantic Beach.

 2020 Nov 6 (Fri - Paul’s Birthday) - We packed up and left the USCG base in Elizabeth City at 9 a.m.  With only one stop at a rest area along the way, we arrived at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in Havelock at noon.  The campground is called Pelican Pointe RV Park.  It is very nice.  There are 30 sites arrayed in 4 rows within an oval.  One row (the one we are in) has pull-thru sites; all the rest are back-in.  All the sites are concrete with a nicely graveled area holding the electric, water and sewer hookups.  Trees surround the campground and there is a water body nearby – called Slocum Creek but looking like a river.  We went out to Del Patron for a Mexican dinner and margaritas.

2020 Nov 5 (Thu) – We hung around the campground this morning.  At noon, we went out to do some errands – get fuel for tomorrow’s drive, pick up pet food, and get lunch.  We ate at the City Grille, a diner type café.  The food was good and the place was doing a good business. Sheba certainly enjoyed this campground. She had lots of space to run and play in with a tree to climb on.  It’s been nice with the river right outside our window and the USCG aircraft flying into and out of the airport.

2020 Nov 4 (Wed) – I have returned from a week in New York.  The time went fast.  The visit with the oncologist went very well.  All bloodwork is normal.  I don’t have to go back until January.  I also got to visit with my daughter, Gina; my sister and her husband, Susan and Bill; and my grandson, Caiden.  I got to go trick-or-treating with Caiden and his parents.  He was able to hook up with a friend and the two boys had a great time together.  Caiden came to stay two nights with me at the hotel.  We drove out to Sue’s for lunch and swam in the pool at the hotel.  He had a great time and was sorry to see it end. So was I.  I went over to his house and helped his father put together an electric car, which was a gift from Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill.  It was Caiden’s 7th birthday on October 30th.

    It was good to get back home and see Paul and the girls again.  Bonnie actually seemed glad to see me.

2020 Oct 27 (Tue) – We went to WalMart to pick up a suitcase for me.  While looking for my duffel, we couldn’t find it. Paul thought we might have thrown it out after my last trip.  We wound up buying two rolling duffels with the hope that we can take a trip to Australia next year for our 50th anniversary.  

    We then stopped at Currituck BBQ for lunch.  Paul had pulled pork and I had beef brisket.  It was a lot of BBQ.  Next stop was at Enterprise Car Rental where I picked up a Nissan Kicks SUV.  I will be driving to New York tomorrow.  Because of the coronavirus and all the quarantine stuff going on in New York, we felt it would be better for me to drive home rather than fly.  It’s going to be a very long drive – 9 to 10 hours.  Last stop was at Ford where we dropped the truck off for a diagnostic.  The AC stopped working about 2 weeks ago.  You definitely don’t want a non-working AC down here in the south!  Paul thinks it’s the compressor.  We’ll see.

    Finally, we returned to the camper. It has remained overcast and cool all day.  This is such a nice campground.  It was great the first two days before the weather turned foul.  Hope it clears up – for Paul, at least.  I think I’m driving into some bad weather up north.

2020 Oct 26 (Mon) – It was another overcast and dreary day.  We walked over to the Navy Federal Credit Union to use my debit card.  I had gotten an email from them saying I hadn’t used my debit card in the last year and if I did not use it, they would not send me a new one.   What kind of bank cancels a debit card because you don’t use it?  So I took the debit card for the SMART Nomads account and my own account, walked over to the ATM, and used both cards.  I withdrew $20 then redeposited the $20.  How stupid is that?

      We gathered up the dirty clothes and did the wash.  They have a small shack with two washers and two dryers.  The cost was better than the last one – only $1.50 per washer and $1.00 for the dryers.

    Once we had the clothes put away, we drove into town to Lowe’s.  Paul needed to pick up a few things for the RV.  Next, we stopped at CVS to pick up some Halloween candy.  Neither of us thinks there will be any trick-or-treaters here in the campground but I thought it would be a good idea to have something on hand, just in case.  A family was here this past weekend.  They came in on Friday night and left Sunday afternoon.  They had three children and a dog.  Since Halloween will be on Saturday, it’s possible a family might come in to camp.

2020 Oct 25 (Sun) – It was a dreary, overcast day with rain on and off.  Every morning, we wake up to fog that slowly burns off as the sun rises.  The weather during the day has been decent even though it starts out cool in the 50s.  We stayed in all day.  Had soup and grilled cheese for lunch.  Attended church via Facebook.  Watched the crappy weather out the window.  Didn’t go anywhere, except to walk the dog.

2020 Oct 24 (Sat) – We drove to Great Dismal Swamp State Park today.  On the way there, we tried to stop at a Cracker Barrel for lunch but they were crowded and the wait time was 45 minutes.  We left and wound up stopping at a Wendy’s for lunch.  Poor choice but it was lunch time and everything was full.

    When we arrived at the park, we happily found the visitor center open.  After poking through it, we took a short hike on a trail.  It was a raised wooden walkway that wandered in a big loop through the woods.  A bridge passed over the intracoastal waterway.  It is a 22 mile canal that passes through the swamp.  It was very straight and disappeared on the horizon either way you looked.

    We then drove over an hour to Mattaponi in Virginia.  I lived there as a child in the summer of 1963.  It was a 12-room farm on a farm.  I wanted to try and find the place.  I found the town.  I found the river that used to run in back of the house where we fished.  And I found the paper mill that always seemed to stink up the air.  But I could not find the house.  Although the area is still pretty rural with farms, there were more houses in the area than I remember.  I guess 57 years makes a difference.  Lol.  

2020 Oct 23 (Fri) – We drove into town for lunch at Groupers Seafood Restaurant. We ate out on the deck looking out over the water.  It was a very pleasant day.  I got the lunch special – fried flounder, cole slaw, and hush puppies.  I tried to swap out the hush puppies but the waitress said there were no substitutions.  I also tried a red corn soup but it was too spicy.  Paul had clam chowder with a shrimp and scallop casserole.  

    I had our mail forwarded to a UPS package store.  I had tried to call three days ago to make sure they would accept the package but the number on their website was wrong.  It turned out to be some guy’s cell phone.  Their site said they accepted packages so I took a chance and had the mail forwarded there.  When I went in to pick the package up, they charged me an additional $5 because I didn’t let them know the package was coming.  WTH?  First, I paid to have the package mailed already.  Second, I couldn’t let them know it was coming because their number was no good.  And third, I was SAVING them money by their not having to put the package on a truck and bring it to me.  Boy, was I furious!  I was more angry with myself because I didn’t fight the charge and refuse to pay.  I groused and the guy gave me a business card with their correct phone number on it.  A lot of good that did me then!

2020 Oct 22 (Thu) – We packed up and left Blackstone, VA at 9:30 a.m.  The weather was good.  The RV GPS had us driving 40 miles more than what my iPhone GPS said so we followed my phone.  It took us along a lot of local routes but we had no difficulty and arrived at the US Coast Guard station in Elizabeth City at 12:45 p.m.  In addition to checking our IDs, they took our temperature. That was a new thing.  Since I had registered by phone, we already knew our campsite assignment.  We set up then I called to see if we had to come in to pay.  The clerk said no; that she had my card information and would run the charge.

    After giving the animals outside time, we went to the supermarket – Food Lion – to get some groceries.  They had the rows marked one way but nobody but us seemed to be paying attention to them.  It’s funny.  When we first pulled up into the parking lot at Food Lion, I saw several people with no masks.  For a second, that always fuels some kind of crazy hope that we stepped out of the nightmare and finally found a place where no one has heard about the corona virus. Then another person steps into the picture wearing a face mask and the bubble pops.

    When we got back, we found a business card from a fellow SMART member on the door.  Allen & Judy are also staying in the campground.  They are in another part of the base in the same area we stayed in last year.  We were here for Thanksgiving and because the campground was full, we had been assigned to a dirt lot in back of the BX.  We drove over and visited for an hour.  We met Allen & Judy during the Canadian Maritimes caravan in 2016.

[basementcracknearme-blog]

Essential Strategies To House Leveling

House Leveling ? It's Easy If You Do It Right

Home leveling is a term used to describe the process of raising a house as near to its initial state as possible (as building and construction will permit). Leveling a house is generally accomplished by carrying out structure repair. A house that is sinking at one end or several locations likely has a structural problemHouse leveling will usually correct that issue, however, the source of the issue must also be addressed to prevent similar damage from returning in the future.

It's essential to likewise fix these concerns before home leveling is performed to make sure a more permanent service. Why do structures heave or settle? Water and soil are the main perpetrators. When combined, the 2 can develop a force that causes walls to break along with foundation movement, consisting of settling.

A home foundation that experiences extreme heaving or settling eventually will move and split. House leveling may be the service. In addition to house leveling, the problems that triggered the foundation shifts need to be thought about. Extensive clay soils add to structure motion. As the clay soil absorbs water it puts in extreme pressure on the structure, heaving it up.

Confusion From House Leveling Explained

Poor outside drain is a contributor to the extreme water in the soil underneath the foundation. Water from pipes leakages under a slab foundation or from extreme flowerbed watering also can seep under the structure, over-saturating soil. Also, structure soil can become over-saturated from water that drains back towards the structure from incorrectly graded driveways, walks and patios.

These include excavating from the exterior of the house and setting up pilings or piers such as helical piers, bell bottom piers, steel piers or concrete pilings, mudjacking, or using a chemical substance to fill out the spaces underneath the foundation. For homes with a crawl space foundation, house leveling can be attained using a handful of successful approaches.

Soil also shifts when it ends up being too dry. Often large trees have roots that extend underneath the foundation. These roots can take in as much as 100 gallons of water daily from the soil. As soil loses wetness it diminishes. Soil shrinkage adds to foundation movement, in particular differential motion. Differential movement happens when one location of the foundation has moved while other areas have not.

Is Manual House Leveling Becoming Obsolete?

Home leveling can help reset the structure and aid avoid future fractures and issues. House leveling expenses vary depending on the foundation's condition, house owner goals and method of repair work. For a free structure repair work quote, get in touch with a licensed repair work expert.

When property owners hear words like "house leveling" and "foundation repair" they likely presume that they will quickly be out a great deal of money. Thankfully, the cost often is a less than individuals believe. Similar to fixing a dripping roof, repairing a foundation is required in order to preserve and conserve the worth of your home.

Home leveling is not in any method like a normal DIY project. That being said, it definitely does not hurt to understand the basics of how and why a home ought to be leveled. House leveling is the procedure of raising a house back to the position that it was in when it was brand-new.

Fast-Track Your House Leveling

This standard comes from the American Concrete institute. As soon as a house relocations, the goal of leveling is to get the house back to where it was prior to it started to move. The large majority of residential or commercial property owners seldom see small variations in foundation elevations. Experts fix structures to within a reasonable tolerance. Read More: https://sites.google.com/site/foundationrepaircompanysn/

In time, this structure can sink, settle, crack, or heave. There are various reasons this may take place. Some common causes are concerns with the soil, excessive wetness, or a structure that was refrained from doing effectively from the start. House leveling or structure repair is probably one of the most important repair work a home will ever need.

It goes without stating that houses are quite heavy. The structure should be correctly designed and set up. Any concerns, even the smallest, can cause damage and devalue your house. It is best to ask for a quote from the pros, however, there are signs that you can look for. Below are a couple of bottom lines to look for: Cracks in your walls or ceilings Cracks on the exterior of your house, specifically noticeable on bricks or stone work that comprise the outdoors walls of many homes Doors are sticking and not shutting or opening appropriately Your floorings seem to droop or dip.

Relationship-Based House Leveling Guide

The two primary types are Pier & Beam and Slab (or Concrete Slab) foundations. For foundation repair work in Dallas and throughout Texas, the 3rd kind of structure is not common, which is the Basement Foundation. A slab foundation is made mostly of concrete. It is a large sheet of concrete that is poured straight on the ground.

    To offset weight around the border of your home, the external parts of the slab are usually 24" to 36" deep. The deep part of the piece is called a beam. To stiffen the center of a slab, beams crisscross the middle in a pattern like a waffle.

    Structures are generally enforced with post stress cable televisions or steel rods called rebar. There are three main components to a Pier & Beam Structure. Initially, a concrete structure beam is constructed around the whole border of your house. Second, concrete pads or columns are installed within the border beam.

House Leveling Strategies: Why is House Leveling Important?

Third, wood beams are put on the interior columns or pads and on the border beam. Due to the fact that pier and beam is more expensive to construct than a slab, pier and beam is usually used for custom-made houses or for circumstances where a house requires to high off of the ground (such as a flood plain).

This structure is the same as above, except there is no concrete foundation beam around the boundary. This is finest matched for lighter homes that do not have brick, stone, or stucco walls. The process of leveling a house varies based on the structure type. Each foundation type has numerous methods for repair work and to bring the foundation to within tolerance for being level.

Regardless of the method utilized, the exact same end goal is accomplished: a level structure; more properly a repaired structure. Different situations require different tools. A Pier & Beam Foundation can be repaired and leveled by setting up steel pilings or concrete pilings under essential locations under the concrete boundary beam.

Advantages of House Leveling

Often movement is triggered by harmed or improperly set up wood. Advanced Foundation Repair work considers this kind of damage in our repair. We once again have different tools to fix various issues. Areas around the home may be excavated so that it is possible to set up concrete piers, concrete pilings, or steel pilings.

To avoid or decrease the possibilities of soils swelling, soil injections can be used. Pro-Lift System: Advanced Foundation Repair originated the Pro-Lift system. Almost 25 years later Pro-lift continues as the most trusted structure repair system in Texas with the least required guarantee repairs. Advanced Structure Repair work serves the Dallas/Ft.

DBS supplies complete foundation solutions for wall and flooring cracks, bowing walls, unequal floorings, and a lot more. We have years of tested experience, offer reliable, long-lasting foundation services, and we can restore your home to its original condition. We are the regional dealership of the Foundation Supportworks network, a worldwide company of elite structure repair professionals.

How to Build a Scalable House Leveling Process

Even a little fracture in a wall or floor can indicate a serious concern, which is why it's crucial to have your home examined by a foundation repair work professional from DBS. Here are some key caution indications of structure damage: Cracks in structure walls or floors Bowing and buckling structure walls Sticking doors and windows in the living area Walls leaning inwards on top Sinking or unlevel floors and slabs With our complete line of patented structure repair items, DBS can provide you a quality, long-lasting option to all these problems and more, ensuring your house has a steady, durable foundation.

This easy foam injection can stabilize your Bessemer concrete slab for several years to come! If you have a harmed concrete piece, broken walkway or driveway, or irregular patio, PolyLevel from DBS could be the quick and inexpensive option you need. This innovative process lifts and levels sunken and unequal concrete using an extremely strong foam injection.

JH Restoration, LLC - Foundation Repair Pros 68QM+XF Kansas City, Missouri 7501 NW 80 Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64152 (816) 248-3052 https://jhrestorationllc.com/

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Important Strategies To House Leveling </h1> <p>House leveling is a term used to explain the procedure of raising a house as close to its original state as possible (as building will allow). Leveling a home is normally accomplished by carrying out structure repair. A house that is sinking at one end or several places likely has a structural problemHouse leveling will usually remedy that issue, however, the source of the issue need to likewise be resolved to prevent similar damage from persisting in the future.</p> <p>It's important to also correct these issues prior to house leveling is carried out to guarantee a more long-term service. Why do structures heave or settle? Water and soil are the primary culprits. When integrated, the 2 can produce a force that causes walls to split in addition to structure movement, consisting of settling.</p> <p>A house foundation that experiences excessive heaving or settling eventually will shift and split. House leveling might be the solution. In addition to house leveling, the issues that triggered the foundation shifts require to be considered. Extensive clay soils add to structure movement. As the clay soil soaks up water it exerts extreme pressure on the structure, heaving it upward.</p> <h1 style="clear:both" id="content-section-1">Discovering House Leveling

Proof That House Leveling Really Works

Home leveling is a term used to describe the process of lifting a house as near to its initial state as possible (as building will permit). Leveling a house is generally achieved by performing structure repair. A house that is sinking at one end or several locations likely has a structural problemHouse leveling will normally remedy that issue, however, the source of the issue need to also be addressed to avoid similar damage from returning in the future.

It is essential to also correct these issues before home leveling is carried out to make sure a more irreversible service. Why do foundations heave or settle? Water and soil are the main perpetrators. When combined, the 2 can create a force that causes walls to split in addition to foundation movement, including settling.

A house foundation that experiences excessive heaving or settling eventually will shift and break. House leveling might be the service. In addition to house leveling, the issues that triggered the structure shifts require to be thought about. Extensive clay soils contribute to structure movement. As the clay soil absorbs water it puts in excessive pressure on the foundation, heaving it up.

Facts Everybody Need To Understand About House Leveling

Poor exterior drain is a contributor to the extreme water in the soil below the foundation. Water from pipes leakages under a piece foundation or from extreme flowerbed watering likewise can leak under the foundation, over-saturating soil. Also, structure soil can end up being over-saturated from water that drains back towards the structure from incorrectly graded driveways, strolls and patios.

These consist of excavating from the outside of the house and installing pilings or piers such as helical piers, bell bottom piers, steel piers or concrete pilings, mudjacking, or using a chemical substance to fill in the spaces below the foundation. For houses with a crawl space foundation, home leveling can be attained using a handful of successful approaches.

Soil likewise moves when it ends up being too dry. Sometimes large trees have roots that extend below the structure. These roots can take in as much as 100 gallons of water daily from the soil. As soil loses moisture it diminishes. Soil shrinkage adds to structure motion, in particular differential movement. Differential motion happens when one area of the structure has actually moved while other locations have not.

House Leveling ? It's Easy If You Do It Right

Home leveling can assist reset the foundation and aid prevent future cracks and issues. Home leveling costs differ depending on the foundation's condition, property owner goals and technique of repair. For a free structure repair work estimate, get in touch with a qualified repair specialist.

When homeowners hear words like "house leveling" and "foundation repair" they most likely assume that they will quickly be out a lot of money. Thankfully, the expense often is a less than people believe. Simply like repairing a dripping roofing, repairing a structure is needed in order to maintain and save the value of your house.

Home leveling is not in any method like a normal DIY project. That being said, it definitely does not injured to comprehend the basics of how and why a house ought to be leveled. House leveling is the process of raising a house back to the position that it was in when it was new.

House Leveling Trends to Watch For

This standard originates from the American Concrete institute. When a house relocations, the goal of leveling is to get the house back to where it was prior to it started to move. The huge majority of property owners hardly ever discover little variations in foundation elevations. Experts repair structures to within a sensible tolerance.

In time, this foundation can sink, settle, crack, or heave. There are many reasons that this may occur. Some typical causes are problems with the soil, excessive wetness, or a structure that was refrained from doing appropriately from the start. House leveling or foundation repair work is perhaps among the most important repair work a house will ever need.

It goes without saying that houses are rather heavy. The foundation should be correctly developed and set up. Any issues, even the smallest, can cause damage and cheapen your house. It is best to request a quote from the pros, nevertheless, there are indications that you can search for. Below are a few bottom lines to search for: Cracks in your walls or ceilings Cracks on the outside of your house, specifically noticeable on bricks or stone work that comprise the outdoors walls of a lot of houses Doors are sticking and not shutting or opening correctly https://sites.google.com/site/foundationrepaircompanysn/ Your floors seem to droop or dip.

What Are The Benefits of House Leveling?

The 2 primary types are Pier & Beam and Slab (or Concrete Slab) foundations. For foundation repair work in Dallas and throughout Texas, the third type of foundation is not common, and that is the Basement Structure. A slab foundation is made mostly of concrete. It is a large sheet of concrete that is put directly on the ground.

To offset weight around the perimeter of the house, the outer parts of the piece are normally 24" to 36" deep. The deep part of the slab is called a beam. To stiffen the center of a piece, beams crisscross the middle in a pattern like a waffle.

Foundations are generally enforced with post tension cable televisions or steel rods called rebar. There are three main components to a Pier & Beam Structure. First, a concrete structure beam is constructed around the whole boundary of your house. Second, concrete pads or columns are set up within the perimeter beam.

Facts About House Leveling That Will Make You Feel Better

Third, wood beams are placed on the interior columns or pads and on the perimeter beam. Because pier and beam is more pricey to develop than a slab, pier and beam is typically utilized for custom homes or for circumstances where a house needs to high off of the ground (such as a flood plain).

This foundation is the very same as above, except there is no concrete structure beam around the perimeter. This is best suited for lighter homes that do not have brick, stone, or stucco walls. The procedure of leveling a home varies based upon the structure type. Each structure type has various approaches for repair and to bring the foundation to within tolerance for being level.

Despite the approach utilized, the same end goal is accomplished: a level structure; more accurately a repaired structure. Various situations call for different tools. A Pier & Beam Foundation can be fixed and leveled by installing steel pilings or concrete pilings under key places under the concrete perimeter beam.

Easy Guidance about House Leveling

Sometimes movement is caused by harmed or poorly set up wood. Advanced Structure Repair work considers this type of damage in our repair. We once again have different tools to resolve different problems. Areas around the home might be excavated so that it is possible to set up concrete piers, concrete pilings, or steel pilings.

To avoid or minimize the chances of soils swelling, soil injections can be utilized. Pro-Lift System: Advanced Structure Repair work pioneered the Pro-Lift system. Nearly 25 years later Pro-lift continues as the most dependable foundation repair system in Texas with the least required guarantee repair work. Advanced Foundation Repair work serves the Dallas/Ft.

DBS offers total structure services for wall and flooring cracks, bowing walls, unequal floors, and far more. We have years of proven experience, provide efficient, long-lasting structure solutions, and we can restore your home to its original condition. We are the regional dealer of the Foundation Supportworks network, a worldwide organization of elite structure repair work contractors.

Top Customer Service Metrics for House Leveling and Why They Matter

Even a small fracture in a wall or floor can show a severe problem, which is why it is essential to have your house examined by a structure repair expert from DBS. Here are some crucial indication of foundation damage: Fractures in structure walls or floorings Bowing and buckling foundation walls Sticking windows and doors in the living area Walls leaning inwards on top Sinking or unlevel floors and pieces With our total line of patented foundation repair products, DBS can offer you a quality, long-lasting service to all these problems and more, ensuring your home has a steady, durable structure.

This easy foam injection can stabilize your Bessemer concrete piece for several years to come! If you have actually a damaged concrete piece, split sidewalk or driveway, or irregular outdoor patio, PolyLevel from DBS could be the fast and affordable service you require. This ingenious procedure lifts and levels sunken and uneven concrete utilizing an exceptionally strong foam injection.

JH Restoration, LLC - Foundation Repair Pros

68QM+XF Kansas City, Missouri

7501 NW 80 Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64152

(816) 248-3052

https://jhrestorationllc.com/

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Pier Foundation Inspection: 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Earlier

Repairing Pier Foundations: Its What We Do!

If you're transferring to Texas for the first time, you may be surprised to find there is more than one type of home foundation used in the Lone Star State. In cities like Austin and Dallas, it prevails to discover both piece foundations and pier & beam structures. They are two completely various types of structures, but both have their pros and cons.

Pier & Beam Foundations Many of the older homes in Texas that were integrated in the 1960s or earlier have pier & beam structures, also called post and beam systems. At the time this was the most structurally sound way to build the structure of a home because concrete putting innovations had not been improved like they are today.

Our Pier Foundation Contractors Services Team

First, a pier is sunk into the ground deep enough so it butts up versus stone and a concrete base is added. This assists to guarantee the piers will not move. Next, beams are extended from one pier to another. These will support the joists and floor covering of the home. Typically the crawl space beneath the beams has to do with 18 inches from the ground.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Pier & Beam Foundations While pier & beam systems do develop really stable structures, and are more effective in some circumstances, they can degrade in time. However, they are normally simpler and less costly to repair than a slab foundation. It's also much easier to set up, repair and include plumbing with this sort of system.

Our Pier Foundation Cracks Services

A pier & beam foundation might be most likely to draw in termites and rodents, however, it's also much easier to identify them and deal with the problem compared to a piece structure. Situations when pier & beam structures make good sense: In locations with significant soil expansion and contraction. The house is constructed on an irregular grade or https://www.southernfloridafoundationrepair.com/foundation-repair/foundation-repair-solutions/pier-systems/ into a hillside.

Today, the majority of brand-new houses aren't constructed utilizing a pier & beam foundation. Part of the factor is cost. Pier & beam structures normally cost more to build. Slab Structures Slab structures, also called a slab-on-grade foundation, are the most commonly used structures today, particularly in prepared communities because they are quicker and more affordable Pier Foundation Cost to construct.

Our Pier Foundation Contractors Services

Usually the process includes: Leveling the surface area to get ready for the structure. Creating a form for the structure. Laying 4-6 inches of gravel in the interior area of the structure. Putting down a layer of plastic sheeting to function as a wetness barrier. Putting tension rods to reinforce the structure.

When Piece Structures Make Sense If the home is on a level surface, slab is generally the first choice because it is cost efficient and shouldn't require repairs. They likewise need much less know-how, so there's less issue over the structure being constructed correctly. If you live in a location where freezing weather prevails in the winter season a piece foundation may likewise make more sense.

Procedures for Pier Foundation Cracks

Areas with a lot of moisture are likewise better matched for piece structures due to the fact that wetness can't collect underneath the home, which is a possibility with pier & beam structures. Slab Structure Disadvantages to Consider If the soil in a location is vulnerable to moving and moving or there are extreme swings in ground wetness (i.e

. These things make slab structures most likely to settle, which might cause cracks, shrinkage or sinking. If a piece structure is harmed it can be extremely costly to fix. The very same holds real for plumbing problems underneath the piece. There's an excellent possibility the concrete structure will require to be gotten rid of, and it's far from a Do It Yourself job.

Popular FAQs on Pier Foundation Repair

It's likewise extremely essential to get an examination by a professional prior to buying a home no matter what type of foundation it has. No matter what kind of structure your new house has, Square Cow Movers can help you get settled in with less tension. Our professionals can aid with whatever from preparing the logistics of the transfer to providing packaging services to packing whatever up in our trucks.

What is a Pier and Beam Foundation A pier and beam structure is an alternative to a slab or basement structure. Slab foundations typically are economical, can be built rapidly and are made from enhanced concrete. A home with a piece structure does not have a basement. A pier and beam structure generally includes a crawl area below the home and footings to support the foundation.

Our Pier Foundation Cracks Services

In a pier and beam foundation, a concrete pier is reinforced with steel (rebar), forming a strong cage within the pier. The piers are set atop a concrete pad that likewise has actually been enhanced with steel rebar. The foundation beam rests on the pier or column. Slab Structures and Structure Problems Slab foundations frequently are negatively impacted by changing soil conditions.

This is one of the leading reasons that cities like Houston, TX and San Antonio, TX have such a high occurrence of structure problems. Clay soils hold water. When over-saturated, the clay soil expands and heaves upward towards the foundation. As it dries, the soil shrinks and the structure settles.

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Our Best Strategy for Dallas Foundation Repair Warranty

The base warranty is well worth it is important to remember that not all base warranties are made equally when comparing foundation repair companies. Even in the state, differences in coverage may vary. Below are some of the questions you should ask prior to hiring a foundation repair support.

Primary Principals of Foundation Repair Cost

Materials and do Foundation Warranties Cover Workmanship In states like South Carolina and North Carolina, it is very unusual to find foundation warranties that do cover you for labor and parts. And in most cases, these policies offer protection that is transferable, lifetime. But as with all things in life, the devil is in the details. Below is a partial list of clauses in base warranties: Changes in Ownership. Most policies provide life protection. However, changes in home ownership do not automatically trigger changes. Most policies require calling the base repair company. Otherwise, the policy becomes void.

Foundation Repair Warranty: Common Concerns

Considering adding a guest space to your house Or possibly a new garage Read the fine print. Foundation warranties can be occasionally voided by major structural modifications. Even by including a backyard pool also close to the exterior of your home, nullification can be triggered. You will not be covered by warranties for disasters, such as fires, earthquakes, and floods.

Foundation Repair Contractors Basics and 101

Our Metroplex Foundation Repair Warranty Services

These gradual occurring phenomena will be the primary reasons foundations fail in the first place. Warranties that don’t provide protection against soil problems are basically useless. Water Damage. Some policies pay water damage provided you take proactive steps to keep the area around your foundation. Be sure to select a base repair company that could provide advice on irrigation and landscaping. Filing a claim is really straightforward. Just contact the base repair service and alert them to the issue. You may file a complaint with the licensing board of the firm if the contractor disputes policy. Turnaround Times. A foundation repair job that is normal takes about 2 to 5 business days. However, it really depends upon the extent of the harm and the dimensions of the house. Costs. A foundation warranty covers you for all materials and workmanship. However, there may be secondary costs in the event the contractor has to access the foundation by cutting through finished interiors (i.e. a tiled basement walls ). Considerations When Evaluating a Foundation Warranty Reading policy can be if you’re not used to scanning legalese.

Signs You May Need Pier And Beam Foundation

This means the contractor: Has a minimum of 7 years experience is suitably licensed within North or South Carolina May supply references from satisfied customers. If a builder goes under, your coverage becomes useless. That is the reason why experience is so essential.

Our Methodology for Cracked Foundation

Find Out About Our Foundation Repair Warranties Foundation Repair Services at Charlotte serves homeowners in South Carolina and North Carolina. To learn about our services, such as our guarantees, contact us today: Charlotte: 704-545-0206Asheville Carolina: 803-802-2477. You’ve discovered horror stories, in which a repair turns into a nightmare of walls or unfinished renovations are repaired by the home. One way to keep on top of your home repair and prevent high expenses down the street is to get your base. Foundation repair issues can cause headaches that can spiral from seemingly small issues into messes that are costly. With over 85 years of experience, Olshan offers comprehensive foundation repair services which can allow you to manage foundation issues and prevent other problems from occurring. Our foundation repair solutions will maintain cracks in your foundation or foundation settlement from becoming uncontrollable. It is possible to determine what kind of problems that foundation damage may be producing in your house, when you utilize one of our repair specialists. Warranty Options All of our foundation repair methods are available with guarantee options to give you more reassurance. We provide three warranty options to suit your requirements. A partial exterior underpin guarantee covers back and both the side of the house. Meaning that if damage occurs in these regions you are covered to protect against compensation.

Our Single Strategy for Residential Foundation Repair Warranties

Our most extensive warranty option is inside underpin guarantee and your exterior. This guarantee covers the interior of the house and the perimeter to cover any alterations required for settlement that could occur in the future. Available Lifetime Warranty The Olshan lifetime guarantee that is available is transferable, meaning that if settling occurs during the guarantee period, adjustments are covered, such as all areas underpinned by Olshan and Conditions and Provisions.

Driving directions to Dalrock Foundation Repair Plano from Plano East, Plano, TX

Dalrock Foundation Repair 3608 Preston Rd #146, Plano, TX 75093 Phone: (972) 578-8800 Website: https://www.dalrockfoundation.com Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00a - 5:00p, Closed Sat & Sun

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Foundation Supportworks of Idaho are if you have problems with your foundation, basement, or crawl space. Our staff can help you determine the proper products for your requirements, and we always supply an excellent setup that ensures customer satisfaction. Contact us today or contact us online to have a free quote on base repair or crawl space encapsulation. from Dalrock Foundation Repair https://dalrockfoundation.tumblr.com/post/188630419306

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Foundation Installation Costs

Foundation Installation Costs 2021 (Installation, Replacement, Pricing)

Becoming a homeowner is one of the biggest successes one can enjoy in life. Other than offering families a private space, a house is a great long-term investment. This is why millions of Americans buy homes each year.

Alternatively, if you want to have more control over your house's design, you can choose to build a new home. However, this approach comes with additional work as you need to get cost estimates for your design, secure a building permit, and monitor the construction process. This is important as it helps ensure the total cost of construction does not exceed the budget. 

With construction, the most important thing is for the building to be strong and stable to ensure the residents' safety. This is why the foundation is arguably the most critical part of a building. Other than supporting the building, a well-laid foundation serves as insulation. It also prevents moisture from underground water seeping in, reducing the need for further waterproofing. 

One of the major concerns about a house foundation during construction is the overall cost. This is because there's a lot of work that goes into laying the foundation. And, depending on the soil conditions, the amount of work may vary. With more work comes additional labor costs and other associated expenses. A place with loose soil will need more excavating and foundation walls to guarantee safety and adhere to local building codes. 

If you're looking for information about foundation costs for new construction, you are in the right place. In this article, you will learn about:

The average cost of a new foundation

Types of foundations

The best foundation for a house

The best foundation for a mobile home

How to save money with foundation installation

How Much Does Foundation Installation Cost?

Being one of the most important features of a building, it is crucial that the foundation is constructed well. However, you should also have accurate cost guides to ensure it does not blow your budget. When it comes to foundation costs, there are two key factors to consider: the type of foundation and the square footage.

Most people spend between $4,166 and $13,280 when building a foundation, bringing the average cost to $8,473. However, your costs may be even higher depending on the particular needs of your site and location. 

What Are the Types of Foundations?

When building a house, the type of foundation to use is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make. Factors that local contractors and structural engineers consider when determining the best choice for your project include:

Location and climate

Soil condition

Humidity

Budget

By taking into account all of these factors, you may find one of the following options suits you best.

1. Concrete Slab Foundation

With this foundation, a flat concrete slab will be laid on the ground in one concrete block. Concrete slab foundations are also known as mono slab foundations or monolithic. Two key benefits of concrete are that it's less expensive as you only need to be keen on the cost of concrete and it is easy to construct. 

The installation process is also hassle free. A beam embedded with concrete that runs two feet deep around the foundation walls, steel reinforcing bars, and wire mesh are embedded in the concrete to strengthen the block foundation. These add to the strength and stability of a concrete slab foundation. 

With concrete slab foundations, repair costs are not a major concern. This is because concrete slab is not prone to crumbling over time, necessitating foundation repair. Also, with this type of foundation, the building will not have a crawl space, which also presents maintenance issues. 

Check out the video below for more information on different types of concrete slab foundations.

Concrete foundations are not suitable for areas with cold climates. When temperatures drop and the ground begins to freeze and thaw, the slab will begin cracking and can shift. Another limiting factor with this foundation is that sewer and drainage system pipes are installed before concrete is poured. As such, you will have to cut through the slab to fix sewage and plumbing issues.

2. Pier and Beam

If you live in an area where the soil is constantly shifting, eroding, or flooding, the best way to anchor your home is to use a pier beam foundation. Also known as "piers and pile" or "pier and post" foundations, they're common in coastal regions and areas prone to hurricane conditions and major flooding. Along with offering support, they also need to protect the house from water damage. 

During installation, piers that can exceed 15 yards long are fixed on the ground to reach the soil's deep layers and stone. This approach is also suitable when constructing heavier homes to prevent sinking as the weight is distributed over a large area. 

With this type of foundation, you'll need to bring in a structural engineer to perform a soil analysis to ensure the conditions are suitable for construction. Costs are also relatively high as you will need heavy machinery to drive the concrete piers into the ground.

3. Full Basement Foundation

Full basement foundations have an underground living space that matches the home's ground level floor space. Construction begins by digging a hole for the basement that's at least eight feet deep. Along the edges, structural foundation walls on concrete footings will be placed. These footings should be placed at least 12 inches below the frost line and 12 inches below previously undisturbed soil. 

From there, beams will be placed, concrete walls erected, and cement slab poured inside the walls. With this type of foundation, you will enjoy more living space which can double your home's square footage. More importantly, basement foundations are strong, durable, and resistant to extreme weather and fire.

Basement foundations are more common in cold climate areas where freeze and thaw cycles can cause a home to shift. The foundation must be placed below the frost line in such areas, thus making a basement foundation the perfect option. 

Basements offer a wide range of applications for homeowners. For instance, if you live on a hillside, you can construct a walkout basement, offering additional functionality. However, you must be prepared to spend as this is the most expensive type of foundation. 

4. Crawl Space Foundation

Instead of a full basement, you can opt for a crawl space foundation. This is a space below the house in which a person can crawl that's slightly elevated. Though it does not add living space to your home, it provides additional storage space suitable for a furnace and other equipment. It also provides easy access to mechanical systems, plumbing, and wiring. Foundations with crawl spaces are made of stem walls, which are short foundation walls on concrete footings.

Since houses with crawl spaces are elevated, they have a unique aesthetic appeal. However, the primary benefit of crawl spaces is the protection they offer from environmental hazards such as flooding and earthquakes. The elevation also makes such houses more resistant to termites. However, the same cannot be said for mold and mildew. 

Compared to a full basement home foundation, crawl spaces are less expensive. However, they require more maintenance. Fortunately, most of the work is DIY. All you need to do is check the below-ground walls for cracks, install vapor barriers, and check for leaks from pipes. This should be done regularly to ensure that the crawlspace is dry at all times and remains structurally sound.

How Much for Concrete Foundation Installation?

While choosing a foundation style, it is essential to have a cost guide to help develop accurate estimations based on your preferred style and square footage. Along with the price per square foot, you should also know the factors that can affect the estimates. 

1. Monolithic

With a monolithic concrete slab, you should expect the costs to be around $4 per square foot. The cost can go higher if there is a need to add radiant heat, bump-outs, and sealers with a water vapor barrier. 

2. Stem Wall

At $ 5 per square foot, a stem wall is more expensive than a concrete slab. Similarly, the costs can be higher if sealers, radiant heat, and bump-outs are needed.

What Is the Best Foundation for A House?

Approximately half of the houses built in the US use slab foundation. However, this does not necessarily mean it is the best option for your house. In conjunction with your contractor, you must determine which type of foundation to use. It is ideal for warm and dry areas where you do not have to worry about frost depth. Slab foundations are also suitable for regions where basements cannot be used due to water tables. 

If you are building in a sloped area, basements and crawl spaces are a suitable option. For areas with loose soil or  that experience extreme weather conditions, go for a pier and beam foundation. The key to determining the best choice is assessing your area's conditions to know which options will offer the greatest support.

What Is the Best Foundation for a Mobile Home?

Over the years, designs for mobile homes have improved significantly, making them an increasingly popular option. If you're thinking about investing in a mobile home, you need to choose an ideal foundation. As with fixed homes, your options include basements, crawlspaces, slabs, and piers. 

Each comes with unique properties that are appealing to home builders. If you want an option that's cost effective but still durable and functional, a slab-on-grade foundation will do just fine. With this option, there will be a concrete base as large as the house with a crawl space beneath. The house is anchored to the concrete for support.

Another popular option due to its ease of setup is the use of piers. Cylindrical piers made of cement are inserted into the ground well below the frost line. Spacing for the piers should be around 8 feet. To reduce foundation costs, you can combine piers with beams.

As unrealistic as it sounds, mobile homes can also have a basement foundation. For maximum stability, the basement walls should be thick enough to support the weight of the house. If the pricing of a basement foundation seems too high, a crawlspace is a suitable alternative. This option is suitable for regions prone to termite infestations or high levels of humidity.

How to Save Money with Foundation Installation

When building a house, especially at the foundation level, the biggest mistake you can make is cutting corners to save money. Doing so not only compromises the integrity of the structure but will translate to significant repair costs later on. Nonetheless, it is still important to make the process as economical as possible to avoid going beyond the budget.

If you're using a concrete slab, you can save up to a dollar per square foot by choosing a monolithic slab instead of a stem wall. You can also save up to $ 1,000 if you do not add a vapor barrier. This should only be done if you live in a relatively dry area.

With pier and beam foundations, costs depend on the number of piers you use. To bring the cost down, ensure the design is rectangular as it will not require a lot of piers. However, when it comes to cost reduction, basement foundations have the most pressing need but the most challenging. Instead of a finished basement, leave it half-done. This will save you thousands of dollars.

Get It Right the First Time

Any mistakes during construction often translate to higher costs. This is why it is important to start your project with all the necessary information. Ask The Builder is a platform dedicated to helping you complete your construction without any issues. Do you need help? Ask Tim all your construction related questions to avoid unnecessary pitfalls. 

The post Foundation Installation Costs appeared first on Ask the Builder.

from builders feed https://www.askthebuilder.com/foundation-installation-costs/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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The Process of Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Top Tips With Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Now, not only could the base issue be severe, but you could start facing a plethora of problems in your home. Your home's windows and doors could fail to work normally, the walls and the floors or ceiling may different, the roofing can get pulled apart and start to escape, and the floors and walls could start having big cracks. Freshwater or crack or underground waste piping can break. Water starts to leak, causing the dirt developing a hump in the floor, when this occurs, and then the dirt loses its ability. As time passes, this will cause the base to settle. The expansive clay soil swells and expands when it rains. The soil losses shrinks and moisture when it dries. Base failure is caused by this differential movement. Sandy soils allow the water to pass through and don't create base issues. A vast majority of houses are built in fills and trimming lots. To read more go to:   <!--td border: 1px solid #ccc;br mso-data-placement:same-cell;--> https://austin.smartfoundationrepair.net

Facts Everybody Need To Understand About Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Frequently on trim and fill a lot the fill side is the first to experience foundation failure. Upheaval Foundation upheaval or foundation Heaving is one of the problems that homeowners in Dallas confront. It is primarily related to expansive soils. It happens when concrete slab flooring or your foundation moves in an upward course. Causes of foundation heaving contain: Extended or Heavy Precipitation much precipitation can cause greater moisture underneath your base. Heaving is likely to happen, If this moisture comes into contact with expansive clay dirt. Moisture deposited under the foundation and slab of your home may result in foundation issues. This moisture buildup can cause the growth of these soils. The soil 3-10 feet beneath the original contour is drier than the surface soil. Over the past 15 years, programmers have resorted to keeping it moist with vinyl until the base is poured and saturating the mat region. When they become wet, expansive clay soils expand significantly. Base jelqing is then led to by the resulting pressure.

        Facts Everybody Need To Understand About Home Foundation Repair In Austin

It is impractical to lift the entire house to the heaved elevation. Most often heaving results from poor drainage or a plumbing leak. House leveling is the procedure for restoring your Dallas house towards its initial position once the base has shifted by underpinning the settled area. This process makes sure on a sturdy foundation and that the house is more, level. The alternative for heaving is to discover and remove the source of the water which has led to the clay dirt to enlarge. The most common foundation failure for a slab is currently sinking. As about 60 percent of the burden of a home is about the perimeter, the borders of a concrete slab foundation are the first to fail. In the first sign of foundation failure, phone a base repair contractor to identify the root cause and underpin (if needed) the settled area. While fixing a heaved or sinking foundation certainly takes a professional, assessing for uneven floors doesn't. Typically, you could do it all yourself. You need a golf or a tennis ball for this objective.

        Additional Home Foundation Repair In Austin Things To Know

Otherwise, it will. The faster it goes, the worse the base issue. Call a foundation repair company that is professional instantly, if you discover this on your Dallas house. This is essential since, with base problems, the longer you wait to address the problem, the worse it will get. The worse it gets, the more costlier it will become to repair it. Assure that the soil under the base is. Several kinds of piers exist. Your contractor will decide on the one that is appropriate according to the base issue. For concrete slab foundations, heaving is solved by taking away the water source, while sinking is resolved by underpinning the lost areas. For DFW we generally recommend concrete or steel piers. Unless you properly maintain your home from Occurring Again how to Prevent Foundation Issues, leveling it won't be permanent. As a Dallas homeowner, then you must take actions to safeguard your home's structural integrity. Broadly speaking, you need to: Keep the soil moisture levels During summer, be certain to keep the foundation moist by installing a water control system.

  Home Foundation Repair In Austin 101

These may cause your foundation, if planted too close to your foundation. Drain water from the home High humidity levels can get the soil surrounding your base to swell, putting pressure in your foundation. How Much Does House Leveling Price In Dallas, prices generally range from $3,500 to $6,500. The variables include: Your particular place Your foundation type the amount of piers required The inherent difficulty The severity of the issue To determine the cost of fixing your house foundation, contact a Dallas foundation repair contractor. The house leveling builder estimate the cost of the fix and will find out the main cause of the problem. Call us immediately! Granite Foundation Repair has the wisdom, experience, and efficiency to get the job done right the first time.

        What is the Best Home Foundation Repair In Austin?

Restore security and property value with engineered solutions to base structural issues We fix base issues: Bowing walls Cracked walls Damaged patios Settled bases Heaved & submerged sidewalks Tilting chimneys Cracked & submerged slabs Uneven floors Damaged retaining walls It is sensible to worry about foundation walls that have chipped, chipped or tilted, or slabs that have sunk, shifted or heaved. In fact, it usually worsens over time. Basement Systems can help if you notice signs of structural damage to sidewalks, your home's foundation or radiators. Engineered solutions help prevent reconstruction & expensive, disruptive demolition with Supportworks In partnership, Basement Systems has. Home and business owners appreciate the fact that many of these repairs can be finished with minimal disturbance to the house, in a single day. Engineered products for base repairs Smart Jack Adjustable posts mend sagging floors above a crawl space. Piers are installed to repair settled foundation walls.

        Home Foundation Repair In Austin Back To Basics

Poly Level high-density expanding foam can be used to lift settled concrete and consolidate soil that was loose. Foundation walls which have cracked can stabilize, bowed or buckled due to dirt pressure. Power Brace repairs stabilize tilting or bowing foundation walls and use steel I-beams to strengthen. Carbon Armor reinforcement bowed foundation wall or extends the full height of a busted. It is smart to spot the cause before fixing the damage Just about everyone can make temporary base repairs with"quick fixes" like concrete combination and mortar. However, to PERMANENTLY fix a damaged foundation, it's necessary to determine what construction-related or dirt, water conditions led to the harm in the first place. Basement Systems partnered with a group of engineers to make Supportworks, to address this. Many Basement Systems dealers perform base repair solutions, but in which they don't, there is. To get inspection and a free foundation repair estimate, see Supportworks This is precisely why it's wise to call in a base repair expert.

        Things You Should Learn About Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Weak, lands with inferior capacity and compressible soil Fill soils. Sinkholes Voids made by plumbing leaks or erosion that leave walls and slabs unsupported. Improper construction Mistakes created throughout the building process that render foundation elements prone to harm. Our exclusive base repair products deliver fast, affordable solutions to a home's structural issues Many people (including builders ) presume that a submerged slab or even a bowing foundation wall must be demolished and replaced with a brand new and improved equivalent.

[foundationrepairreviews-blog]

Important Elements of Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Home Foundation Repair In Austin Trends to Watch For

At this point, not only may the underlying base issue be severe, but you might also start facing a plethora of issues in your home. Your home's windows and doors could fail to function normally, the walls and either the floors or ceiling can separate, the roof can get pulled apart and start to leak, and the flooring and walls could start having large cracks. Underground underground or freshwater waste piping can break or crack. When this happens, water starts to leak, causing the soil to expand, creating a hump in the ground, and the soil loses its capacity to encourage the floor/foundation. As time passes, this can get the foundation to settle differentially. The clay soil swells and expands, when it rains. The soil declines helps and moisture, If it dries. Base failure is caused by this differential movement. Sandy soils permit the water to pass through and do not produce foundation issues. A vast majority of houses are built in cut and fills lots. To read more go to:   <!--td border: 1px solid #ccc;br mso-data-placement:same-cell;--> https://austin.smartfoundationrepair.net

Methods Of Home Foundation Repair In Austin Domination

Often on cut and fill lots the fill facet is the first to experience foundation failure. Upheaval Foundation upheaval or foundation Heaving is one of the issues that homeowners in Dallas often confront. It associated with expansive soils. It occurs when your foundation or concrete slab floor moves in an upward direction. Reasons for base heaving include: Heavy or Extended Precipitation will cause increased moisture under your base. If this moisture comes into contact with expansive clay soil, heaving is very likely to happen. Moisture hauled under slab and your home's foundation may lead to foundation problems. This moisture buildup can cause the growth of the soils. The soil 3-10 feet below the first shape is drier than the surface soil. Over the past 15 decades, developers have resorted to saturating the pad area until the foundation is poured and keeping it moist with plastic. When they get wet clay soils extend significantly. Foundation heaving is then led to by the pressure.

        Truths Everybody Should Know About Home Foundation Repair In Austin

It's reluctant to lift the whole house to the heaved elevation. Most often bad drainage or a plumbing leak causes heaving. House leveling is the procedure for restoring your Dallas home when the base has shifted by underpinning the settled region. This process ensures on a sturdy foundation and that the house is more, level. The solution for heaving is to discover and remove the source of the water which has led to the clay dirt to expand. The foundation failure for a concrete slab is sinking. As about 60% of the burden of a house is about the perimeter, the edges of a concrete slab foundation are the first to fail. In the first indication of foundation failure, phone a foundation repair contractor to identify the root cause and underpin (if desired ) the settled area. Checking for floors does not while fixing a heaved or flooding foundation requires a specialist. You could do it yourself. You'll just need either a golf club or a tennis ball .

        Things You Should Learn About Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Otherwise, it will. The faster it moves, the worse that the foundation problem. If you notice this in your Dallas home, call a foundation repair business that is professional instantly. This is crucial since, with base issues, the longer you wait to tackle the problem, the worse it will get. The worse it gets, the costlier it'll become to repair it. Assure that the soil under the base is. Distinct kinds of piers exist. Because of this, your builder will choose the appropriate one based on the foundation issue discovered at the exam amount. For concrete slab foundations, removing the water source solves heaving, while underpinning regions lost resolves sinking. For DFW concrete or steel piers are generally recommended by us. Unless you properly maintain your house from Occurring Again The way to Prevent Foundation Issues, leveling it will not be permanent. As a Dallas homeowner, then you must take proactive steps to protect the integrity of your house. Broadly speaking, you should: Keep the soil moisture levels During summer, make sure by installing a water management system, to keep the base moist.

  Easy Recommendations about Home Foundation Repair In Austin

If planted too close these may cause your foundation to settle. Drain water away from the home High humidity levels can cause the soil surrounding your base to swell, putting pressure. How Much Does House Leveling Cost In Dallas, costs range from $3,500 to $6,500. The factors include: The inherent problem The severity of the problem To determine the true cost of fixing your house foundation was required by Your particular location Your foundation type the amount of piers, contact a Dallas foundation repair contractor. The house leveling contractor will determine the main cause of the problem and estimate the price of the fix. Get in touch with us! Granite Foundation Repair has the knowledge, experience, and efficiency.

        What Does Home Foundation Repair In Austin Mean?

Restore safety and property worth with engineered solutions to base structural problems We fix base problems: Bowing walls Cracked walls Damaged patios Settled bases Heaved & sunken sidewalks Tilting chimneys Cracked & sunken slabs Uneven floors Damaged retaining walls It is sensible to be concerned about base walls that have chipped, chipped or tilted, or slabs which have sunk, altered or heaved. In reality, it typically worsens over time. Basement Systems can help if you notice signs of structural damage to your home's foundation, sidewalks or slabs. Engineered solutions help prevent demolition & reconstruction with Supportworks In partnership, Basement Systems has access to a wide assortment of base repair products which enable property owners to prevent demolition and reconstruction procedures. Home and business owners value the fact that many of these engineered repairs can be completed with minimal disturbance to the property, in a single day. Engineered products for base repairs Smart sagging floors above a crawl space is fixed by Jack Adjustable posts. Helical piers are installed just like screws to repair settled base walls.

        Get Going With Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Poly Level foam is used to lift settled concrete and combine dirt that was loose. Wall Anchors bowed, can stabilize foundation walls which have cracked or buckled because of dirt pressure. Power Brace repairs utilize steel I-beams to strengthen and stabilize bowing or tipping base walls. Carbon Armor reinforcement bowed foundation wall or extends the entire height of a cracked. It is wise to spot the cause before repairing the harm Nearly anyone can create temporary foundation repairs using"quick fixes" like concrete combination and patching mortar. However, to PERMANENTLY repair a foundation, it is necessary to ascertain what dirt, water or construction-related conditions caused the harm in the first location. Basement Systems partnered with a team of structural engineers to make Supportworks, to address this. Basement Systems dealers perform base repair services, but there is a Supportworks trader that can assist you where they do not. For a base repair estimate and inspection, visit Supportworks This is precisely why it's wise to phone in a base repair expert.

        The Secret of Successful Home Foundation Repair In Austin

Terrible, other lands with poor load-bearing capacity and compressible soil Fill soils. Sinkholes Voids created by plumbing leaks or leaks which render walls and slabs unsupported. Improper construction Mistakes created. Our exclusive base repair products provide quick, affordable solutions to your house's structural issues Many people (such as builders ) assume that a submerged slab or even a bowing foundation wall must be demolished and replaced with a new and improved equal.

[metzgerterryus]

Crawl Space 101

In older buildings, the crawl space is an 18″ to 36″ space between the floor of the building and the earth where mechanical elements like electrical and plumbing are often hidden. This overlooked piece of the house is important to understand because it can cause major issues if neglected.

Your crawl space: it’s dark, it’s scary and if you’re like most of us, you have no idea what’s lurking down there. If you own an old house that was built before the slab on grade craze after WWII, you likely have a crawl space foundation.

A crawl space was sometimes part of a pier and beam foundation where the builder simply had a mason install brick or stone piers spaced evenly across the foundation to support the home, or it is part of a stem wall construction where the crawl space is enclosed, except for regularly spaced vents to encourage ventilation.

Why is the Crawl Space Important?

The crawl space holds a lot of secrets to your old house and can provide a lot of information about past issues and potential future issues. Understanding how it functions best and how to treat it will make you a rock star homeowner and save money and trouble down the line.

Ventilation

Your crawlspace needs to be ventilated. Period. Unless you are building a new zero-energy Passivhaus your crawlspace was likely designed to be ventilated to avoid problems. Ventilation allows moisture from the earth to escape through the vents rather than work its way into your house, potentially causing mold and mildew problems.

Before you listen to the insulation guy who tells you to seal it up and make it airtight, think for a minute about why those vents were installed in the first place.

Mechanicals Access

Unlike those poor sobs with a slab foundation, you have access to all your mechanicals like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (sometimes) by crawling around under the house. Nobody likes climbing down there, but it’s a lot easier than jacking up a hole in a concrete slab to repair a burst pipe or upgrade your electrical.

Inspecting for potential issues and making repairs in much easier in a crawl space, so count your blessings.

Spotting Issues

Not only are you able to spot issues with your mechanicals, but you can also nip other problems in the bud. Inspections are much easier in a crawl space where you can more easily spot and remedy issues like subterranean termites, wood rot, and foundation issues.

Another plus is getting to play detective. I can tell if there was fire damage at one point, tell what kind of fasteners were used on the foundation, check to see what’s underneath those tile or linoleum floors and if they were original, and a host of other things.

How to Protect Your Crawl Space

There are a few things you need to do to secure and protect your crawl space and fortunately, they don’t require constant work. They are very much a once and done kind of thing and once they are completed, you can avoid sticking your head down there except for the random curiosity.

Keeping Critters Out

Protecting your crawl space from critters like mice, rats, raccoons, squirrels, or the neighbor’s feral cats is more important than you may think. If not sealed up, your crawl space is a warm bed for any critter looking for a home. Those pests tend to chew on warm electrical wires, tear open plumbing pipes for a drink, make nests in you insulation, and leave their messes behind.

Critters in the crawl space are NOT a good thing, and you need to seal things up in a way that keeps them out for good, but allows airflow. My favorite tool for this is 1/4″ hardware cloth that keeps most anything at bay when secured properly. I’ve written another post about How To Keep Critters Out of Your Crawl Space that you can read here.

Beat Moisture

In stem wall construction, moisture continuously evaporates from the earth and makes its way into your crawl space since these are not as well ventilated as the more open design of the pier and beam foundation. To keep the humidity at bay, you need to lay down some plastic sheeting covering the dirt. Black 6 mil plastic works best and is fairly inexpensive. The Spruce has a great how to post on the topic.

Dealing with Radon

Radon is an odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the earth and can seep into your crawl space increasing your risk of cancer. It sounds terrifying, but in reality, it is not difficult or expensive to fix. The thing is that you have to have someone test for it to know if it’s an issue.

It is more common in the northern parts of the US, so having a test for peace of mind is definitely worth it especially if you have neighbors with positive tests.

Crawl Space Conclusion

Now you’re a pro about crawl spaces. You know what the potential issues are and you know how to resolve them. It doesn’t take much to get your crawl space in tip top shape, and once you make these few improvements, you’ll be able to forget all about that dark scary place again. Before you switch into “out of sight, out of mind” mode again give some thought to how you can improve that dark corner of your house called the crawl space.

The post Crawl Space 101 appeared first on The Craftsman Blog.

from Home Restoration News https://thecraftsmanblog.com/crawl-space-101/

[aaronbhope84]

Crawl Space 101

In older buildings, the crawl space is an 18″ to 36″ space between the floor of the building and the earth where mechanical elements like electrical and plumbing are often hidden. This overlooked piece of the house is important to understand because it can cause major issues if neglected.

Your crawl space: it’s dark, it’s scary and if you’re like most of us, you have no idea what’s lurking down there. If you own an old house that was built before the slab on grade craze after WWII, you likely have a crawl space foundation.

A crawl space was sometimes part of a pier and beam foundation where the builder simply had a mason install brick or stone piers spaced evenly across the foundation to support the home, or it is part of a stem wall construction where the crawl space is enclosed, except for regularly spaced vents to encourage ventilation.

Why is the Crawl Space Important?

The crawl space holds a lot of secrets to your old house and can provide a lot of information about past issues and potential future issues. Understanding how it functions best and how to treat it will make you a rock star homeowner and save money and trouble down the line.

Ventilation

Your crawlspace needs to be ventilated. Period. Unless you are building a new zero-energy Passivhaus your crawlspace was likely designed to be ventilated to avoid problems. Ventilation allows moisture from the earth to escape through the vents rather than work its way into your house, potentially causing mold and mildew problems.

Before you listen to the insulation guy who tells you to seal it up and make it airtight, think for a minute about why those vents were installed in the first place.

Mechanicals Access

Unlike those poor sobs with a slab foundation, you have access to all your mechanicals like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (sometimes) by crawling around under the house. Nobody likes climbing down there, but it’s a lot easier than jacking up a hole in a concrete slab to repair a burst pipe or upgrade your electrical.

Inspecting for potential issues and making repairs in much easier in a crawl space, so count your blessings.

Spotting Issues

Not only are you able to spot issues with your mechanicals, but you can also nip other problems in the bud. Inspections are much easier in a crawl space where you can more easily spot and remedy issues like subterranean termites, wood rot, and foundation issues.

Another plus is getting to play detective. I can tell if there was fire damage at one point, tell what kind of fasteners were used on the foundation, check to see what’s underneath those tile or linoleum floors and if they were original, and a host of other things.

How to Protect Your Crawl Space

There are a few things you need to do to secure and protect your crawl space and fortunately, they don’t require constant work. They are very much a once and done kind of thing and once they are completed, you can avoid sticking your head down there except for the random curiosity.

Keeping Critters Out

Protecting your crawl space from critters like mice, rats, raccoons, squirrels, or the neighbor’s feral cats is more important than you may think. If not sealed up, your crawl space is a warm bed for any critter looking for a home. Those pests tend to chew on warm electrical wires, tear open plumbing pipes for a drink, make nests in you insulation, and leave their messes behind.

Critters in the crawl space are NOT a good thing, and you need to seal things up in a way that keeps them out for good, but allows airflow. My favorite tool for this is 1/4″ hardware cloth that keeps most anything at bay when secured properly. I’ve written another post about How To Keep Critters Out of Your Crawl Space that you can read here.

Beat Moisture

In stem wall construction, moisture continuously evaporates from the earth and makes its way into your crawl space since these are not as well ventilated as the more open design of the pier and beam foundation. To keep the humidity at bay, you need to lay down some plastic sheeting covering the dirt. Black 6 mil plastic works best and is fairly inexpensive. The Spruce has a great how to post on the topic.

Dealing with Radon

Radon is an odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the earth and can seep into your crawl space increasing your risk of cancer. It sounds terrifying, but in reality, it is not difficult or expensive to fix. The thing is that you have to have someone test for it to know if it’s an issue.

It is more common in the northern parts of the US, so having a test for peace of mind is definitely worth it especially if you have neighbors with positive tests.

Crawl Space Conclusion

Now you’re a pro about crawl spaces. You know what the potential issues are and you know how to resolve them. It doesn’t take much to get your crawl space in tip top shape, and once you make these few improvements, you’ll be able to forget all about that dark scary place again. Before you switch into “out of sight, out of mind” mode again give some thought to how you can improve that dark corner of your house called the crawl space.

The post Crawl Space 101 appeared first on The Craftsman Blog.

from Home Restoration News https://thecraftsmanblog.com/crawl-space-101/