FORENSICS
IT IS THE INTRODUCTION OF MOISTURE THAT CAUSES EXPANSION; DESTABILIZATION.
THERE IS A GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW FOUNDATIONS SHIFT AND TWIST AND CRACK.
UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS, THE WATER CONTENT OF SOIL IS CHANGING ALWAYS WITH TIME AND DEPTH OF SOIL AND IS NOT STATIC OR CONSTANT.
CONTINUOUS R & D COUPLED WITH OUR PATENTED PRODUCTS HAVE ENABLED US TO NOT ONLY OUT PERFORM, BUT OUTLAST CONVENTIONAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.
DATA TELLS US A STORY
Beefing up a foundation or lifting up a corner that has perceived to have sunken, in our experience is simply fruitless. Years of study tells us that it is rare and specific to an original fill that would call for a foundation to sink. When saturation of soil has been reached, it swells. Water finds its lowest gravity. Soil types have different saturation as well as thickening capacities. It is not only logic, but our data is clear that the soil beneath the foundation should remain a relative constant in order to maintain stability.
Our builders tell us that proper drainage is the single most valuable cost unit in their budget. The structure itself, at risk without it. The design, the depth, the earth, the rock, the pipe, are all components of a well engineered system.
We have photo'd, studied, re-created events time after time in order to give our customer the highest outcome for the life of a structure. A standard 10 year warranty statement with the option to upgrade for life is exclusive to Dallas Drain. So our forensics are the best, because we own it.
Well respected trades and professionals often miss the logic of water behavior and its impact. Homeowners, developers and builders alike, take on a high level of cost and liability to all that is contained within a development and the fitness of the structure itself.
FOR THOUGHT
1. Know absolute elevations:
When shooting elevations, ensure that the bench mark is an absolute point ie: a marker in the street or a curb. When the benchmark is shot within the structure itself, it is not absolute as there is movement within the foundation.
2. Unfortunate | costly | too often:
There is the presence of water, floors buckling, one side appearing to have sunken according to an expert, however in fact water has built up on the opposing side. A report has been generated based on an interior marked elevation point. Shims put in place to lift the apparent sunken area. Further damage occurs, different area, more shims. This has become someone's nightmare. We put our FASP® system in place. It begins to dry from the exterior, inward. The foundation is settling into its original state. More cost to shore down to the piers and re-establish the foundation as it should be.
3. Watch for:
Ensure that all exterior wall penetrations are sealed. The slightest breach in an electrical or plumbing penetration will accumulate at the floor level and damage floors several feet out from the wall. Also keep a watch on roof stack vents. Squirrels will too commonly eat it away to the degree that water enters and follows down the conduit; same result. Button up.