Testimonials

I had a large issue in the driveway of my home. Multiple cracks. It sounded hollowed as you stomp on it in multiple areas. WHAT THEY DID:  They filled up the gaps inside. They repaired superficial cracks very well. They brought up the issue of how rain water could be coming under my driveway and causing more cracks in the future.

Just wanted to let you know that Josh and Nathan came today to take care of our driveway issues. They both did an excellent job in a very professional manner. We will definitely recommend A-1 Concrete Leveling to our friends here, should they have need of such services! Thanks again for your help and Deanne's help in resolving our driveway issues.

We needed part of our front sidewalk leveled, and also porch stairs. Rhett was on time for the estimate and thorougly explained what had to be done, and how it would be done. No rush, willing to answer any questions at all. They called and had an earlier opening than promised so we got it done even sooner than we had hoped. Everyone was very professional and knowledgeable.

I know I had a lot of questions and I appreciated your patience. Your crew did a great job! I walked/crawled around before they left and it was exactly as I expected. The contractors I’ve hired so far for various projects cut a lot of corners and I wouldn’t hire any of them again. I’m glad Luis recommended A1. I will recommend you to anyone looking for foundation work as well.

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The Importance Of Soil In Foundations And Foundation Repair

September 5, 2018
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You may love the feeling of soft soil beneath your feet, but soft soil beneath your foundation is one of the last things you want for your Nashville home.

Whether you’re just starting to build a new home in the Nashville area or you’re facing foundation repair right now, this blog is for you. We’ll fill you in on all you need to know about soil and home foundation repair so that your entire process can go as smoothly as possible. If you’re not sure if you need foundation repair, check out our post on signs it’s time for foundation repair and give us a call! A-1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair is a Top Rated Local® foundation repair company and we offer free quotes. Contact us today.

How Soil Impacts Foundations

Stop stressing — most soils can support typical house foundation footings just fine. That being said, there are exceptions to the rule.

If soil isn’t consistent around a property or under a foundation, you’ll see problems begin to appear. What do we mean by not consistent? Take the softness of soil, for example. If soil is softer under one foundation footing, then that portion of the house is likely to settle deeper and faster than other parts of the house will. All of this leads to a sinking foundation, cracked foundation, or other foundation problems.

Because of this, it’s important to ensure quality, compacted soil is underneath each footing of your foundation.

Important Aspects To Consider:

Compacted soil is a big part of a solid foundation, but there are other aspects to consider as well. We’ll discuss compacted soil and other aspects here, but you can always contact us with further questions about soil and house foundation repair.

  • Thoroughly Compacted Soil – The first 16 inches of soil are the most important (most footings are 16 inches), but soft soil even outside of those initial 16 inches can still have a large impact. Before your foundation contractors begin your foundation, you’ll want to make sure the soil is thoroughly compacted. If you’re just now noticing problems with your foundation, call us for foundation repair.
  • Water In The Soil – As you build the foundation, look out for too much moisture in the soil. When your foundation contractors excavate the land, finding water would be a huge warning sign. If this occurred, though, you could fill in the land with stones and mud.
  • Types Of Soil – Finding soft soil isn’t a deal breaker when you build your foundation, but it’s another warning sign for sure. Simply meet with an engineer and discuss risks and solutions if you find soft soil, sandy soil, or clay. If you bought the house used and suspect this may have been a problem, contact us.
  • Footing Placement – If a foundation footing isn’t quite centered, your home’s weight won’t be distributed evenly, which will eventually lead to foundation problems like a sinking foundation or cracked foundation.
  • Footing Dimensions – This is basic physics here. The wider a footing is, the more evenly and widespread the weight will be distributed — which means a more stable foundation for you. Think of it like a chair: the wider the legs are, the harder it is to move the chair and the more stable it is.

Rely On A-1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair

Don’t worry if you’re seeing the warning signs and weren’t able to stop the foundation problems from occurring. Whether you need basement crack repair, help with foundation cracks, or some other form of foundation repair, we can help. Contact us today for a free quote.