French drains

What You Need To Know About French Drains in Morganville NJ

French Drains in Morganville NJ

Water is bad for foundations, but it is a natural part of the world we live in. When it rains, water seeps into the ground. There is also groundwater that is already present in the ground and can seep up to destroy a foundation.

So, how can you keep your foundations sound?

The answer is a French drain. Also known as a weeping, uncertain or rubble drain, this drain consists of a trench that is filled with rocks or gravel. Many French drains in Morganville NJ also contain a perforated pipe. The primary use of the drain is to prevent surface or ground water from penetrating into or damaging the foundations of a building.

The name does not come from France, the country but was named after the person who promoted the idea in 1859 through his book on drainage on farms, Henry French.

How they work

French drains in Morganville NJ are constructed around foundations to give water an easy channel through which it can flow. Water in the surrounding soils runs into the gravel that fills the drain and down through the perforations in the pipe that is often located at the bottom of the trench.

Water collects in the pipe and is channeled away from the foundations to a point some distance away from the house.

It is important for the trench bottom to be constructed at a slope of about 1 inch for every 8 feet traveled in the direction that the water will flow. The French drain may terminate in any place depending on your situation and preference. Some examples include:

  • Low lying areas within your property
  • Dry wells
  • The street
  • Drainage ditches

Deciding when to put in a French drain

French drains in Morganville NJ have become necessary to help with drainage. This is true especially for:

  • Homes that are experiencing a problem with surface water. You may have a soggy lawn or driveway that washes out.
  • Homes whose basements are being damaged by water. It is important to ensure that water from the surrounding soil is directed away from the foundations. This ensures that the foundation is not destroyed.
  • Homes that are being constructed on a hillside. It is important to install a French drain if you will be building a retaining wall.

Surface water problems

Shallow French drains in Morganville NJ are a great way to deal with surface water problems. The French drain should be constructed to intercept water on the property and channel it away from the building’s foundations.

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foundation repair in new jersey

Foundation Repair in New Jersey: 4 Key Misconceptions

Foundation Repair in New Jersey

Fixing a broken foundation is a hard concept to understand as it is. Then the world adds myths and misconceptions about foundation repair in New Jersey. Here are a four misconceptions debunked.

Misconception #1: You don’t need foundation repair because concrete cracks.

It is true that concrete cracks. It is not a matter of if but when. The concrete sidewalk or your concrete patio is not as important. However, when it comes to your concrete foundation, when it cracks it needs to be fixed. Cracks in your foundation ultimately weaken the structure and need to be fixed. Even nonstructural cracks can cause problems with water infiltration, mold growth, and pests.

Misconception #2: Small cracks are no big deal.

Even small hairline cracks can cause problems with your foundation. The most common problem with hairline cracks is water. Water doesn’t need a large opening to enter your home. Those small cracks can be letting in water and causing an array of issues including mold and mildew, or letting in bugs, rodents, or soil gases like radon. If you look at it that way, small cracks are a big deal.

Small cracks also can be a sign of future problems. If ignored, small cracks can become big cracks and lead to even bigger foundation issues. Foundation cracks may seems as if they are staying the same but over the years the nonstructural cracks can become structural cracks if the soil outside the foundation changes.

Misconception #3: Foundation Repair doesn’t really fix the problem.

This misconception is referring to a common scenario. A foundation repair contractor will come to assess the basement situation. There will be a problem zone on one side of the foundation. Even though the problem area is only on one side of the foundation, the foundation repair contractor suggests an entire foundation solution. The homeowner will choose to only do one side of the foundation where the problem currently exists. The foundation repair contractor can only do what the homeowner authorizes him to do. They try to educate the homeowner as much as possible about the potential of a return visit to fix the rest of the foundation in the future. The homeowner sometimes misses the big picture and thinks that the work that was done didn’t really fix the problem. But the truth is he chose to only fix one portion of the problem.

If a homeowner hires a reputable and knowledgeable foundation repair contractor and follows his advice to provide the proper solution to repair the foundation, it will work. Contractors guarantee their work. And if you do partial work on the foundation, only the area where the work was done will be on warranty.

Misconception #4: Foundation Repair is too expensive.

While many homeowners think they can’t afford foundation repair work, the truth is they can’t afford not to. If your home needs foundation repair work, and you choose to ignore it, it will get worse before it gets better. If you fix the problems when they are small, it will cost much less. If you wait until the problem is massive and dyer and your home on the verge of collapse, then it will be expensive.

If you ever want to sell your house, you will have a hard time selling with foundation repair issues. You will have to fix them before you sell.

Honestly, the best practice is to inspect your basement and keep it in good health throughout the lifetime of your house. The basement environment impacts the environment of the rest of the house. The foundation is the most important part of the house. If it is not sound, the whole structure of the house is in danger.

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house jacking

Select Basement Now Performs House Jacking!

House Jacking

We’ve recently made a new addition to our already extensive line of top quality professional services, house jacking. By adding this capability, we are providing yet another service we can offer our valued customers. By offering as many top quality services as we can, we believe we can better serve our customers.

When should you consider house jacking?

So what is house jacking and when should you use it? Well, sometimes depending on the condition of the soil around your home, your foundation can begin to sink into the ground. You’ll notice this sort of thing when dry wall or plaster walls begin to crack upstairs, windows and sliding doors become difficult to open and close, or you literally notice the floors in your home sinking in or becoming unlevel. The major shifting in your home’s foundation is a very serious structural issue, and can introduce water and moisture, harmful mold, and unwelcome critters into your home.

Since there’s really no way to change the composition of the soil around your home, most homeowners have to resort to jacking the house. House jacking is a difficult procedure that requires a professional touch, so it’s best not to attempt this on your own. Contact us for more information!

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