You’ve *finally* decided that you’re ready for foundation repairs. Maybe you’ve already had a foundation inspection or are about to get a quote. Now, you’ve got a new intrusive thought stopping you in your tracks . . . is the timing right? Is there a perfect time of the year to get this kind of repair completed? How do you know if it’s a good or bad time to have foundation repairs done??
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we know it’s hard for homeowners to pull the trigger on costly foundation repairs. After 40+ years in the business, we understand the concept behind our method of repair and the other options out there and can explain when perfect timing is and is not a factor to consider.
In this article, we will discuss the issue of timing your foundation repairs for optimal results and address your concerns about when to start scheduling repairs. By the end of this article, you’ll know if the start date of your repairs is something you need or want to control so that you can move forward either way.
When Should I Get My Slab Foundation Repairs Started?
Getting your slab foundation repairs started comes down to deciding when is best for you. If you know this is the right decision for your home, you’re prepared, and you’ve got the funds, there’s not much reason to wait. Holding off on expensive repairs of this nature can result in higher costs a few years later due to inflation or the price of materials. If you can start now, start now.
There are a few considerations you might need to keep in mind that could determine or delay when you should begin your foundation repairs.
- Upcoming Events,
- Whether You Want to Be Around During the Repairs,
- If You Have to Move Out for the Repairs.
Foundation repairs, no matter what method you’re using, do come with a work zone. People are going to be at your house, digging up dirt, and making a bit of a mess and noise. Sometimes your yard or landscaping appearance can be temporarily affected.
If your yard appearance is important for any upcoming event at your home, then either throw your soirée before the repairs begin or plan to do it well after your yard has recovered from any repair activities. I’m not saying your yard is going to be severely compromised, but there could be some patches of grass or mud that aren’t perfect for a period of time.
Given the construction zone we just talked about, you may or may not want to be around during the repair process either. Most of the time, folks can carry on living in the home during the repairs and many people do. But if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to be around for the process and can easily leave, then you might need to time your repairs around a vacation or your ability to relocate somewhere.
They will need inside access for parts of the repair process, so plan for that if you choose to make yourself scarce.
For a smaller percentage of people (around 10 to 15%), you *have to* move out for the repairs because you need interior foundation work. In a case like this, further prep work is involved for the homeowner. You’ve got to pack up and protect some/all your belongings and find a place to stay. Your ability to handle those details may dictate when the foundation repairs can happen for you.
Is There an Optimal Time to Have Foundation Repairs Done?
In our area of Central Texas, foundation repairs can happen all year round. The optimal time is when you’re ready to get this handled.
There are a couple of scenarios where you want to make sure foundation repairs are done *before* other home projects for optimal results. So it’s not really about the optimal time, it’s about the optimal order of things.
- You should always do needed foundation repairs prior to major remodeling, otherwise, you put new finishes at risk. Check out this article for more information if renovations are part of the plan.
- If you need both a new roof and foundation work, do the foundation work first before the roof. This article will help you understand that roof situation better.
If neither of those timing considerations applies to you, then now is as good a time as any to get your forever home raised and restored to the correct elevation.
Does the Weather Affect My Foundation Repair Results?
Does the weather at the time of the repairs affect the quality or results of your foundation repairs? This is a great question with a complicated answer. It’s a sometimes yes, sometimes no, and a *not sure in some cases* kind of answer.
When Weather Can Affect Foundation Repair Results
Yes, for certain methods of foundation repair, weather during the repair process can be a significant factor. If you are choosing pressed pilings for your foundation repairs, how wet or dry the ground is plays a part. It’s all about understanding the pressed piling concept and how it works.
It’s a lot to get into, but if you need more info on how pressed pilings work, then check out this article: What Are Concrete Pressed Pilings? Foundation Repair Pros and Cons. Also, the Cabled Concrete Pressed Pilings Explained article is helpful too.
In a nutshell, pressed pilings perform best when the soil is more saturated at installation time. So if you’re using that method, then spring or fall/winter when it’s a bit more rainy around here will likely yield better results for you, results with potentially more longevity.
When Weather DOES NOT Affect Foundation Repair Results
No, for our method of foundation repair, weather during the repair process is not a factor for quality or longevity. Because of the nature of the bell-bottom pier we use, and how it’s made and works in the ground, the moisture level of the soil does not affect pier installation or performance.
For a deeper understanding of our signature drilled bell-bottom piers, try this: What Is a Drilled Bell-Bottom Pier in Foundation Repair Terms?
Basically, drilled piers can be installed rain or shine, in both dry and wet seasons without affecting the caliber of the installation. So if you’re choosing Anchor for your foundation repairs, then it doesn’t matter what time of year it is when you get the repairs done.
When We’re Not Sure if Weather Affects Foundation Repairs
Other methods of slab foundation repairs are not as readily available in our area. So, we don’t know as much about them. I’m thinking of things like helical piers, or even steel-pressed pilings depending on how far down into the ground they are inserted (some claim to “reach bedrock”). These other repair methods may or may not be as affected by soil moisture content at installation time.
These other methods are not as available here because they are better suited for other terrain and geographic locations. You’ll have to look elsewhere for more info if you’re considering one of these foundation repair methods. Sorry . . . we can’t be experts on everything . . .
What If the Foundation Repair Start Date is Months Away?
We keep saying that now is the right time or that it doesn’t matter what time of year you get your foundation repaired, but what if you have to wait for repairs to begin? Like it’s not your choice, but it’s your contractor who says they can’t start your job for a few months.
We often have wait times for our foundation repair projects. There are literally people waiting in line to get Anchor to do their repairs. We understand that it can be a frustrating situation because people tend to want things fixed right away and they worry when it can’t happen fast enough.
If you want your foundation repaired by a particular company, sometimes you have to wait because of other jobs already on the books. Having to wait for your turn should not deter you from using the company you want. Don’t choose timing over quality if quality is what’s important to you.
The good news is that foundation problems develop slowly over many, many years, so waiting a couple of months should not make a huge difference for your home. Nothing catastrophic will happen in a few months’ time while you wait for your chosen foundation repair contractor to get started. It’s safe to continue living in your home.
If getting the work done quickly is one of your most important foundation repair needs, then there could be another company that can do the repairs with less lead time. Just be wary of a company that can start your repairs the next day, think about what that means as far as demand for their services. It might not be a good thing . . .
Should You Control When Your Foundation Repairs Start?
Now that you know what timing factors to consider when foundation repairs are on the horizon, should you try to control when your job starts? In some cases, you might want to.
- If you’ve got a party or vacation planned that you need to work around, get your job on the calendar and ask your contractor to work around it.
- If you need to move out during repairs, figure out when that will work best for you and talk to your contractor about how to coordinate that.
- If you’re using pressed pilings for foundation repair, time your repairs for a rainier season if possible.
- If you don’t need any special timing, then rest easy and wait for your repairs to begin.
Often you have to sign a contract or make a down payment to *get in line* for the repairs – that’s what you have to do with Anchor anyway. So get yourself on the books and then ask for some wiggle room if needed.
How Long Will Foundation Repairs Take Once They Start?
I’m not surprised that now you want to know how long foundation repairs will take. It’s a logical next thing to wonder. Well, depending on the method you choose, it can take anywhere from 3 to 4 days to 3 to 4 weeks.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we offer fair and impartial assessments, empowering education, and a fully transparent repair process. After 40+ years in business, we want you to know as much about foundation repair as we do and we’ve got no secrets to hide from the Brazos Valley community. It’s the house you love and you deserve to be 100% informed about timing and anything else you need to know.
Check out How Long Does Foundation Repair Take? Pressed Piles vs. Drilled Piers if you want to understand the job length comparisons between these two methods of foundation repair.
